At the end of SEPT I had knee surgery, as part of physiotherapy I was told to use bike for none impact muscle strengthening.
Sunday 07 Oct, I decided I need to get out on my bike for instead of cycle machine. Nice and easy nothing stupid. A couple of easy water testers first got confident for somethig more interesting. I didnt want anything hard or stupid as I cant walk on too rough ground or run yet in fact I can only lift 5kg on it in the gym, anyway I digress.
I packed my panniers jumped on the bus at the top of the street and set off to the terminus. After feelig like a cheat for the journey I got off the other into a lovely late afternoon.
Got on bike and gingerly set off directed at the steep hill towards Holmfirth. turning off at the base along the path by the river. 20 mins later I had arrived. quick look around for flat spot not too far from path and about 400m from a main car park I find it.
yep, this is big and flat enough.
had a glorious night under the clear stars. Got up in morning and just chilled out until lunch time. Didnt see a single soul.
The pictures are a bit like the Pyramids of Giza, they look fantastic but behind the camera is Cairo.
I packed away turned round my kit and cycle back home along the canal.
Fantastic picture of the pylon directly above the canal.
I actually thought about staying out a second night, wish I had, the Northern Lights were out, DOH!
My knee was fine as flat all the way down canal and only about ten miles.
Cant wait to get out again. Shetland or Outer Hebs again next year.
British Forces issue 1x man hooped goretex bivvy (don't buy,too expensive, get a one man tent instead)
US issue sleeping bag, modular.
German Army folding sleeping mat
issue jungle lightweight basha (not used)
campri base layer underwear (sleep wear)
buffalo jacket
snugpak softee jacket (not used)
fleece hat and gloves (not used)
issue cold weather trousers
Decathlon rain cut jacket (not used)
spare socks and foot powder (powder in double bagged zipped sandwich bags, not in bottle, try it no mess on floor and so so luxurious putting your feet in ;-)
Clas Ohlson spirit stove and nest (£11.99 rather than Trangia brand, very good for price, aluminium nest)
fuel bottle, small
Ikea kids spoon
camelbak bladder (2 litre)in carrier
alladin thermal mug (old)
1x boil in bag, chicken Dopiaza
1x bag of porridge (in sandwich bag, just add water to bag)
tea and coffee
all in all about 20kg (could reduce main weight was warm gear, worth the weight, any fool can be freezing at night in some tiny thin sleeping bag that weighs 3 grammes or something and packs down to the size of an apple. When you are in somewhere very miserable wet or cold your warm comfortable sleep is your escape dont fickle it away)
Just keep taking it easy, I'm sure you'll make a full recovery. Your photo's look fantastic, I'm really itching to get outside but work is really demanding at the moment. I love the hooped bivi, I just wish I could see it better.
I'm thinking about setting all my equipment up and taking photos, in the hope of inspiring more people to take up this hobby without worrying about how expensive their equipment has to be.
Thanks for the pics, lescargo
------------- The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not
my planned pitch is slightly higher up than your pitch & nearer the mast. I patrol that area as a Part time Peak Park Ranger, I will upload photos A S A P
The bivvy is a thin goretex upper, it feels more like cloth. and the base is a very thick black rubber coated(inside only)DPM on the outside there are two small fibreglass poles (white for some reason)which break down into x3 parts each. It is very low, just allows lying on side. The way the poles attach at the ends is a poor design. they are threarded through a pocket with a slit in it and the one by the head does slip out very easy. The whole bag is approx 8-9 feet. I'm 6-2 and can fully liein the bag before the opening leaving the entire end for storage, easy getting a full size bergan into there. There are 8 pegging points and 7 loops for attaching guys bungees etc. I have attached 5 and keeps it more stable like a little tent. luckily I never bought it
Great pics , Ive got to agree with you regards hooped bivis . They never quite make sense nether a tent or a bivi . It does blend in to the location well though and it allows some shelter in an exposed location but it would still be pretty miserable if the weather turned . Bivi bag and tarp would be my choice
I have to say your bivi looks the biz, I'm sure it's not perfect, but what equipment is? I will be using mine with a tarp, in fact, tomorrow as I write. I'm still at the experimental stage, so I'll just go to a local woods and see how I go. I'll put some pics up with a very honest evaluation then you can give me your opinions/ tips as you see fit. I'm really quite excited!!
------------- The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not
Being former infantry most of my basha's were pretty low profile. Here are some little tips for bashing in trees.
Dead fall. Check above the area you are choosing to make sure the are no dead branches or trees that could drop during the night or fall onto another tree domino effect. Believe Me the sound of this crashing down in the jungle is quite scary.
Obviously away from paths unless ramblers are welcome.
Check make sure you not in water course ( I don't mean dried riverbeds ;-) but little run offs
I used to take either six long bungees or about six long 6ft pieced of cord to tie off and a few pegs a good knot is the highwaymans hitch/ emergency escape knot ( one pull of the loose end drops the knot and blisteringly simple to do).
Personally I sleep fully under basha/poncho as it keeps bivvy bag dry, less thingd wet. If you need more room fold your sleepingbag back and sit on kipmat and raise up you poncho. Coniferous plantationd are best ad the trees are planted in convenient square grid patterns.
Any way have fun, experiment, and find the best way for you
------------- Slowly carrying its home on its back
Love the photos, especially the one of the pylon, its looks almost like an art form from that angle.
The bivvy looks like an intersting idea, but I think I'd struggle to sleep in something like that, I like my head room and ability to turn over or sit up too much. It must save on space and weight though?
Nice pictures but blimey - 20 kg of kit? That's a heck of a lot of weight, epecially considering you didn't even have a tent with you.
My all-up backpacking weight never exceeds 12kg and that includes a 1.5kg 2-skin tent, down sleeping mat, 1 litre of water and a couple of days' food. Were there some other items that you didn't list?
Thanks lescargo, very interesting and great pics. I did once post, that my idea of lightweight camping, is not taking the trailer. A day on the beach for me would weigh more than that.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: wild camp trip
