Devildog

Oh and most people I know use goretex or event, but mostly goretex. Paramo not so popular but one or two swear by it.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Ok, another annoying question Devil
Are the 3 in 1 gortex jackets worth getting or just stick with the outer layer?

And boots wise, also like the look of the Scarpa SL M3's, I really like the look of the boot/sole on that one, may have snow to contend with.

Will have a look at the Mantra's too

Thanks for the advice up to now

Tony

Devildog

Give the three in one a miss. All you'll need is a good hard shell (outer) and some good base and mid layers

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Hi Tony
I am out in the Alps alot on snow shoes buggering about in mountains.
Given you were in the forces, you know what to take.

This is what I put in my day pack, there might be something in there that you have missed or might want to put into yours.

Compass Silva
Knife
Para cord/short rope
Ebit stove/tampon-firelighter/fire steel water proof matches/ nice and compact
Basha - usefull to sit on even
Spare dry tshirtx2, socks and small towel
Charged mobile and mini portable charger
Water and more water
Energy bars x2
water purifier
small head torch
lip balm
small first aid kit
whistle

Clothing - as others have said layers
Brands ....who cares
I am a bit old school and like lightweight combat trousers that dry real quick. But I guess I am stuck in my ways and there are probably better options.
Good wind proof water proof outer jacket - I use a single layer one/not a three in one
Boots comfortable and watertight thats it.

If your going near snow these are an invaluable bit of kit - A must
http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/apparel-gators.html

I always.
Check weather
Avalance conditions
Check the Day light hours and know when it gets dark.

Say 8 hours day light. Minus 1 hour contingency
That leaves 7. Tab for 3.5hours. At that moment turn back.
Adjust depending if the going has been more uphill or downhill.

Looks like a nice place you are off to, have a good time

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Hi Steve

Cheers for that! I've got to go pick up a compass, silva was top of the list, none of this degree's crap, has to have mils on it but will need to get some practice in before I go (may still take a GPS unit just incase )

Para cord is always good, It amazes me that more people dont carry it, or a lightweight sheet for emergency shelter (hence im getting an ex british army poncho, see my mate first though as he may be able to get me a free one ) as these are great bits of kit, wind break, bivvi, even make one into a stretcher (with the use of that para cord ) and if worst came to worst, you can even use it as a water retardent outer

Weather is one of the important things on my mind, ive still got 9ish months before I go (just got to book it at the beginning of march and im done ) then I will have to try to plan a basic route, have ordered some books on the area and a map, need to research what the conditions are like in November, hope the bears are all asleep by then, I dont mind a bit of cold but a bit of cold with a bear chasing you isnt fun

Cheers for the link to the gaiters, as they say, better to be over prepared than under! will need that 35ltr backpack after all

Tony

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

You should be able to get all that into a smallish pack Tony

Sod the bears
I was out in the Canadian Rockies last January -35 at one point!

The potential bear thing made feel a bit uncomfortable.
Although some of them seem to gravitate towards small towns as its easy lunch down there..... Out of a rubbish bin. Main rule is just be carefull what you do with food. Hang it up a tree if you overnight. Cooking smells and all that! Spring is when they have young as well. To be fair all the wildlife knows where you are way before you do, as a rule, and would rather stay away.

Also A real good idea. Is to consolidate all your emergency bits.
All the bits you will probably never need into one compact tub, bag at the bottom of the pack. I saves it all rattling about and you can access it real quick if you need too.

I also carry the re-useable chemical hand warmers in the cold. Rarely use them. But worth having.
Something along these lines

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hot-Stuff-Ha...125178-2718735

Anyway old chap
I will aim to perhaps get a few pics up.... I have just pulled out of my day pack and how compact you can make it.

Cheers
Steve

bottlesofbecks

[quote=TonyBurns;10455467]Devil, use to have that unbreathable stuff in the Army kept you dry on the outside but you sweat like a pig, was wind proof and waterproof though (still have those, issued for reservists)

Specially when worn underneath combats so not to make noise, combined with dms or cbh depending on your vintage not forgetting your chinease fighting suit for those nippy nights

albob

Tony - if u want some 'reading', the current issue of TGO (the great outdoors) magazine has a comparision article on jackets. I didn't read it all (there are only so many magazines u can read in W H Smith before they start looking at u funny ), but Paramo comes out 'recommended'

alan

Adrian F

Reading reviews before Paramo frequently is one of the few jackets that doesnt let water in round the hood etc, the advice i have received is that paramo is more durable long term.

As for reproofing Trail magazine years ago proved that all jackets over a year old will not go a weeks holiday with out benefiting from reproofing, Goretex and event both require reproofing to prevent wetting out when the membrane will then not breath so moisture traps inside.

I own 2 Berghaus Goretex jackets one 7 years old which lets in when worn in constant rain and one a year old which has hardly seen rain, i also own a Paramo jacket personally when heading out for a days mountain walking in the Lakes or Snowdonia i take the Paramo and i have had eVent trousers which leaked after a couple of the years (membrane stretched so leaked) so replaced with Paramo and these have been really good.

it is personal choice but the points about a long coat and on goretex make sure that the zips have storm flaps

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Well i've been out and done a bit of shopping today, half of what I wanted has gone out of the window and some of the choices were harder to make that I suspected!

First on the list was the jacket, well that ended up being a Rab, pretty much wanted the eVent material, didnt quite get the one I was after, the super Dru, ended up with the Latok, even though they had both I thought the Latok was more suited to me.

I needed a backpack, fairly easy choice, I went German and picked up a Deuter Guidelite 32ltr, perfect size and fits great and even though there were other back packs there, this one seemed to be spot on

Boots were the hardest choice, I went in with Scarpa SL Activ on my mind, I was offered a choice of Scarpa, Meindl and Altberg.
Well I tried the Scarpa first, felt great but a little stiff, though those would break in well after a few hikes.
Next were the Altberg, a little cheaper than the Scarpa and they felt very comfortable and supportive.
Last were the Meindl, these seem to fit a wider foot better, didnt feel as nice as the other 2 so those were put on the side and I went back to trying to figure out which of the above I wanted and that would suit me well.

I tried one of each foot, the Scarpa on my left and the Altberg on my right, damn if I could have them both then I would have lol, it took me about 10 minutes to choose and it was a very hard choice, would the altberg be as good as the scarpa when the scarpa's were broken in?

It was that close that it was literally handing one boot back then taking it back again lol, but in the end I went for the Altberg's, a 3-4 season boot that can fit a crampon, and I tried them out tonight taking my mates dog for a walk around Dovestones, I have to say that I am impressed, a really nice boot but god, what a hard decision!

I have one base layer that I picked up, also Rab (merino wool) as i felt the synthetics and didnt quite like them.
So there it is, I dont think I made any bad choices there (I hope lol) so fingers crossed, the boots will hold up well to any punishment they are given

Cheers all for your input

Tony

Adrian F

Hi Tony i am glade you have managed to make all the choices

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Just a quick update, so far I have a basic kit, decent waterproof top, lightweight shell for summer, base layer, boots, backpack etc, still need that compass but that is on the agenda.
Tried out the softshell, mid layer and base layer, wow, its warmer than my heavy jacket
You can feel the wind hit you but its not taking alot of heat out of you (tried it out taking the dog for a walk when it was around 2-3 degrees outside), still felt comfortable in it, so I shall have to try a couple more different base layers to see which I prefer.
Thanks for all the input i've just some cheap craghopper trousers for now (spring/summer walking) and next month I shall be starting some nice gentle walks around the peak district.

Cheers