Lightweight Overnighter

[The Cumbrian]

Looks great, it's been a while since I've been over that way.

I've been getting back into walking this summer too, made much easier by the fact that I'm back home. I'm managing to get a couple of times most weeks after work, and I've noticed a big increase in my fitness. Back in May I struggled to walk over Gavel Fell, but last Wednesday evening I walked over Ladyside Pike, Hopeghyll Head and Whiteside wishing that I had time to do more at the end of the walk.

Cheers, Michael.

[Shewie]

Nice one mate!
Glad you made it out.

Had to get out somewhere mate, after being in Canada and playing about in the woods I was itching to spend a night out.

[Mistwalker]

Awesome photos Rich, looks like a beautiful area to spend some time relaxing in.

That shot of Tony setting up reminds me of a scene from a Kevin Kostner movie called "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"

[northumbrian]

Awesome photos Rich, looks like a beautiful area to spend some time relaxing in.

That shot of Tony setting up reminds me of a scene from a Kevin Kostner movie called "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"

i know the scene u mean mate i think it was along on hadrian's wall though !

[coln18]

Hi Rich, glad to see you are getting the use of the kit, how are you finding the superlight bivvy, what size did you go for, i went for the standard size, but wish i had went for the extra large, mines has plenty of room to sleep in, but with the midge in full flow, i just wish i had got the larger size so that i could easily eat my meals in there and have more room for a good ass scratch, still loving the weight of mine, might have to consider selling mine and going for the larger size. Me and Jason are just back from doing the Great glen way, form Fort William to Inverness over 5 days, about 73 miles i think, my complete weight of backpack with 1 litre of water 5 days food and all kit was 5.5kg, well pleased with that, hardly felt as if i had anything on my back at all and my barefoot trail shoes experiments are working out well, another walk with no blisters and fresh feet......

If you are planning a walk soon give me a shout and i will make an effort to pop along for it, even if its south of the border mate, we can compare all our new Mld kit....

[Shewie]

Hi Rich, glad to see you are getting the use of the kit, how are you finding the superlight bivvy, what size did you go for, i went for the standard size, but wish i had went for the extra large, mines has plenty of room to sleep in, but with the midge in full flow, i just wish i had got the larger size so that i could easily eat my meals in there and have more room for a good ass scratch, still loving the weight of mine, might have to consider selling mine and going for the larger size. Me and Jason are just back from doing the Great glen way, form Fort William to Inverness over 5 days, about 73 miles i think, my complete weight of backpack with 1 litre of water 5 days food and all kit was 5.5kg, well pleased with that, hardly felt as if i had anything on my back at all and my barefoot trail shoes experiments are working out well, another walk with no blisters and fresh feet......

If you are planning a walk soon give me a shout and i will make an effort to pop along for it, even if its south of the border mate, we can compare all our new Mld kit....

The bivvy was good, plenty of ass scratching room but eating in there I would be hard work I would have thought. It took my NeoAir a topquilt without any bother but I tell you what is wasn't half warm in there, I think I'm gonna look at one of Oookworks bug nets for warmer weather.
I had a few issues trying to get it in the right position so I could bungee the hood up to the TS loops, that'll come with practice though I reckon.
Loving the space in the Trailstar, I was laid in about a third of it with plenty of room to just chuck my gear about.

Should be planning a trip up to D&G with Gill at some point, Andy and Tony will probably tag along to I reckon. No big hills for me just yet though bud.

[Shewie]

Awesome photos Rich, looks like a beautiful area to spend some time relaxing in.

That shot of Tony setting up reminds me of a scene from a Kevin Kostner movie called "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"

Cheers Brian, glad you liked the piccies

I know exactly which scene you mean

[coln18]

cool Rich, just give me a pm when you have it planned.

[Shewie]

Can I see your 5.5kg kit list then bud?

[Dougster]

That looks great Rich, I too am making the move back to the hills. Got a Tarptent to start me off and some Ti clobber.

Hope to meet you there one day soon.

[coln18]

MLD Prophet backpack (with straps etc trimmed off)

MLD Superlight bivvy (with cuben fibre bottom and full head net)
Multimat (not sure of the name but the lightest one about 165g i think)
Western Mountaineering sumerlight sleeping bag
MLD cuben fibre grace solo tarp
2mm dynema cord
ti tent pegs (5g)

Evernew solo ti pot/cup/lid
Evernew ti meths burner
Evernew ti trivet
Backpacking light ultra light super thin windshield
ti folding spork
small 500ml disposable plastic bottle of meths

Water carried in plastic 1ltr disposable drinks bottle

Wenger mini evo grip nail clip pocket knife
photon freedom micro torch
3 cuben fibre drybags
dehydrated food (homemade)
aquamira water drops (a & b mix)

2 buffs (these act as headwear, towel and pot cleaners and pre filter for my water)
PHD Ultralight pullover
montane windshirt
1 extra pair of thinny thin liner socks
1 light weight extra tee shirt
cuben fibre poncho
possum fur hat

MLD midgie net
small bic lighter
2 bits of tinder card
hydropel (best blister prevention cream ever used, never had a blister since using it)
mini toothbrush
ipod nano
small alcohol hand gel in mini ultralight bottle
salt/pepper in ultralight mini bottle
2 plasters
4 ibroprofen
2 annadin extra in ultralight mini ziplock bag
some trail mix/trail bars and a some tea bags
some mugshot pastas
in case your interested no underwear or soap

most of the time i no longer carry water unless i know there are no streams for a long time and in scotland thats unusual. i rehydrate as i pass streams.

Cant be bothered looking up all the weights Rich, might do it tomorrow if i have time.

[JAG009]

Here is a pic of how small Colin,s rucksack is
thats on day one and its got all his food, meths,water for the week . His base weight is about 2.2kilo

Jason

Here is a pic of all the cuban fibre gear in use

[Shewie]

Looks like a good trip lads

What's your shelter Jas?

I'd be interested to hear what meals you'e making up Col, I got a dehydrator off here a few months ago but haven't had a crack yet.

[coln18]

Jason's shelter is the MLD solomid cuban fibre shelter.

I've experimented with various meals but i tend to go back to making batches of chilli up, dehydrate and then vacuum pack into small single portions using a seal a meal machine i got from Asda, it really is just about the best option i have tried, freeze dried meals are ok for a while but i soon get fed up with them and with the dehydrator i know whats in my own food and it really does taste so much better.

But as im starting to go as light as i can if i know im going to be passing places where i can get a breakfast or a main meal im planning in mixing it up and having a meal out when i can to save further weight.

[Shewie]

But as im starting to go as light as i can if i know im going to be passing places where i can get a breakfast or a main meal im planning in mixing it up and having a meal out when i can to save further weight.

That's the plan for the TGO next year if we get on, maybe three or four nights in the hills and then a campsite, showers, dry clothes and a food pickup. Might even have the odd night at a pub or B&B