2012 bcuk Advanced Arctic Expedition

[Wayland]

Great looks like we're on then.

Are Chris and Bob still hoping to come too?

[iceman81]

Hi everyone

New to BCUK and forum. Attending this week only along with jamesbentley. Looking forward to getting into planning for trip and equipment, certainly some useful and insightful threads on this site!

[Wayland]

Hi guys, really great to have you around and welcome to the forum. I hope you'll like it here.

There is another thread here for general discussions about the courses and you might find the thread here about the previous basic course interesting too.

Just noticed your location, I'm running a little course at the Environmental Centre at West Boldon in September, we'll have to get together for a beer or two.

[Becky]

Hi All
Just a note to say even though we do have the minimum numbers for this expedition now please do not book any flights until the expedition go/no go date:15th January 2012, as it is possible that someone may pull out of the expedition before this date.
If you have any questions regarding the expedition please do not hesitate to contact me
Many thanks
Becky

[Becky]

Hi All

The following is an official list of all those that have paid their deposits for this expedition and consequently represent the numbers so far:

1.Widu33
2.wayland
3.teedee
4.skaus84
5.Greg
6.teepee
7JamesBentley
8.iceman81
9.I**C******

[Teepee]

I**C******?

Do we have a secret celebrity joining the group?

[Teepee]

Heads up on Amazon.com for boots. I'm stocking up for this years winter trips, not just for this exped.

A pair of Baffin Doug Stoups just turned up on my doorstep for £75. They're £299 over here! A pair of Baffin Snoports are winging their way over for £45.

[Wayland]

The problem I'm finding is getting anyone on that side of the pond to ship replacement liners over here.

You wouldn't think it should be a problem but even Amazon will not send them???

[widu13]

How about http://www.sub-zeroboots.com/?

[Wayland]

Same as a lot of other places, they sell the boots but not the liners.

Basically, a pac boot is only any good for sustained use if you have spare liners so one pair can be dried while another is in use.

The UK distributors of Baffin do not carry the liners in the UK because most UK users are not using them for sustained wilderness use and many of the US suppliers will not supply the UK because of trade restrictions or exclusive distribution deals.

I am currently trying to find a US postal forwarding agent to get around this PITA but otherwise I'm going to source some felt and make my own.

[widu13]

Are you fussed about them being brand named? There are some on ebay for liners alone.

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[Wayland]

Most of the one I've seen on Ebay are pretty low quality.

What I'm after is something like these.

What have you found?

[Teepee]

I've found the liners here, but they work out more expensive than the boots in the first place. I suspect making a copy may be the best solution as Wayland has said, although im sure somebody in America will sell some to poor old Blighty.

Edit; After checking my link, they do ship to the UK. The delivery is astronomical though and isnt viable, its cheaper to buy another pair of boots and use the outers as posh plant pots!

[widu13]

As already mentionrd Amazon will ship to the UK and you pre pay the customs charges. Hopefully my Baffin boots will only cost the £60 promised!

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[Wayland]

When you get to the checkout at Amazon.com on the liners you get this message saying that:

This item cannot be shipped to the address you selected. (Learn more.) You may either change the shipping address or remove the item by clicking Delete.

I haven't found any way to get around it directly but I have found someone who is prepared to accept a US delivery and then post it on to me.

[widu13]

Sorry mate didn't realise it was a 3rd party seller. Amazon DO ship to the uk themselves.

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[Greg]

Its been a while since I've looked at this thread, and I'm really happy to see that so far it is a go.
Good stuff guys!

[Wayland]

I reckon it's time to start planning a meet up. I know a possible venue in the Midlands if anyone is interested.

[Teepee]

I was thinking the same, Mudlands is good for me.....

[widu13]

Mids are a 200 mile drive for me! But if I can make a meet I will.

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[skaus84]

I could probably take a little meander on over to the midlands for a meet.

[Greg]

Depending on the where & when, I could possibly make a meet in the midlands (Long Drive mind!!!)

[Wayland]

It would make most sense to organise something in the Winter so we can check out our gear I guess.

As for location I was thinking of Rough Close, Near Coventry where we hold some of the Midland meets.

[Teepee]

Thats ideal for me, an hour away. Makes a nice change from driving hundreds of miles

My bones are telling me were in for another cold autumn/winter.

[iceman81]

I'd be up for that as I definitely want to test out my gear before the trip next year. Was thinking of sorting a few weekend trips in the lakes and/or northumberland when the temperatures start to drop anyhow.

Bit tricky with times and venues for me at the moment though, but will certainly make it if I can so keep me updated with your plans.

Matt

[Greg]

It would make most sense to organise something in the Winter so we can check out our gear I guess.

As for location I was thinking of Rough Close, Near Coventry where we hold some of the Midland meets.

Sounds good to me as long as my dates work out!

[Wayland]

I'll have a chat with Decorum about it this weekend and we'll see what we can do then.

Out of interest, I've put up a page outlining my preparations on my website here.

I'm hoping that it might turn some of the traffic I get into people interested in doing the course, you never know.

I still want to do both If I can so anything I can do to promote the basic course I will.

[Greg]

Just had a read of your website page..I have to say you know how to spin a line! I thought it was really good the way you put the article together and your kit is wonderful, maybe someday when I'm not chasing my 9yr old around the football pitch I'll have time to sit down and fashion some gear...although it would take a shed load of practice (and no doubt alot of cursing!) to get as good as you. It's going to be an absolute pleasure to spend time with you Gary out in the land of snow & ice!

[Wayland]

Well when all is said and done you could say I just talk for a living really. The problem is usually getting me to shut up.

Truth is I'm looking forward to meeting all of you, I've not met anyone through this lark yet that didn't have a wealth of knowledge and a fine story to tell, even if they don't always realise it.

[widu13]

Well I've started prepping too, but nothing along the lines of Wayland's stuff- well done mate. Most of my gear is ex military and will be carried by my trusty Vulcan (but not a canvas one- git ). I was having huge problems with footwear. I couldn't find any reasonably priced boots anywhere in the UK, so I solved the problem by importing Baffin Epic series Evolution boots. They are good to -60C.

http://www.baffin.com/product-p/epicm003.htm

Baffin are renowned for sizing their boots small, so for my dainty size 10s I ordered a US12 (one size up for US sizing as the US sizes are sized smaller and one size up for Baffins renowned sizing). So having ordered them from the US they arrived in 2 days only to find out they are too narrow for my foot as I take a wide fitting! To return them costs £40!!! I've ordered some 13s which fit in width, so I have a US12 to get rid of. They will fit a wide UK9 or standard fitting UK10. They are boxed and tagged. PM me for details.

The 13s are brill, well made and very, very warm in the UK summer!!

However, with the kit I have so far I can see that I'll be wearing a lot clothes on the plane!