How did that happen? Louise and Julie have abandoned the shop for a couple of days to visit a trade show and left the fort in my capable hands. Some would call that 'gallivanting', but I woldn't dare! Anyway, that means I get to blog too, so there is a slight change of subject for this one..
I often get asked what I wear/carry on the fells in freezing winter conditions, so here goes..not to say this is what you shoud be wearing but just my personal preferences!
Boots - My winter boots are trusty Scarpa Manta's. I will only wear them if I think I will need crampons, otherwise I will stick to 3 season boots.
Crampons - My crampons are Grivel G10's and I have never had any problem with those coupled with a Mountain Technology Glencoe Ice axe (not sure if these are still around, I've had it for about 10 years).
In full snow conditions I tend to wear ski pants, they are great for the conditions with everything you could want - internal leg gaiters (I detest wearing outside gaiters), they are hard wearing, waterproof and breathable. When wearing crampons they are tough enough to withstand the odd misplaced spike too.
On top I simply wear a HH thermal base layer and a Haglofs LIM jacket over it (see earlier review)... and that is all. I carry a fleece should I need an extra layer but generally it is not needed. If really cold I will carry a Rab Generator jacket as well - that packs down small and it can be put on over everything else to save messing around with layers.
The only other things I wear are a fleece Buff for when it gets a bit chilly round the gills and one of a selection of hats (latest one is a Rab mountain hat), and a pair of Rab Phantom Grip Gloves.
In the bag is a spare pair of gloves, spare hat, waterproof paclite shell and that is about all...have I missed anything?
Sean
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........The camera?
ReplyDelete.....lol! (for the camera). This sounds like I have to come over with an empty suitcase and a lot of money, should the weather not improve up there within the next few days.
ReplyDeleteHi Sean
ReplyDeleteWhich camera do you use? I had a hunt on the site but could not find any details - you should give them a plug and you could get some freebies!!
Yes, the camera - how could I forget! It is an Olympus E30 with a 14-54 lens. No such thing as freebies from a company like that, hence the 'no mention'lol!
ReplyDeleteFood? For dogs and human?
ReplyDeleteHave you abandoned the all weather Paramo???? I notice in a few older photos what looks to be a Velez top - I gather from your kit list you must run "hot", and Paramo stuff is very warm, but I can attest to its waterproof qualities!
ReplyDeleteFood? 'nana's for me and nothing for the dogs!
ReplyDeleteParamo is still in my kit, not for those extremes though. I wear Paramo trousers most of the time and yes, the Velez when it is less wintry and in wet weather.
Nice camera Sean
ReplyDeleteI've just picked up a Canon EOS something or other and am trying to master it at the moment. I've carried a compact on the fells for years but am worried about damaging my lovely new dslr. Do you use one of the lowepro cases?
Which Canon did you get? I like the look of the 7D, it ticks all the boxes for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't use a Lowepro but a similar type of thing - I use a Tamrac Velocity sling which is really quite comfortable to wear and makes easy access for the camera.
Sean
I remember going to a talk by Don Whillans when some brave soul asked him about what equipment he carried - the reply was his camera - he had Sherpas to carry the rest.
ReplyDeleteEver thought of training the dogs to be your 'Sherpas" ?
(just joking!)
Serious Question.
How good would your dogs be at summoning help if 'god forbid' you got into real difficulty on the fells ?
I hear Casper has a great bark.
I think all my gear would end up in a tarn if I let those two loose with it!
ReplyDeleteI think they would be pretty well useless at summoning help, in fact I think they are the more the 'loyal dog staying with their master' type. I can imagine Dougal sitting on top of me trying to lick me back to life (ugh!).
Sean
Hi Sean
ReplyDeleteI bought a Canon EOS 400D Rebel something with a couple of lenses and a load of filters etc on eBay. Arrived as new and about half the price. It seems to be a brilliant camera but at the moment I'm still learning about AV, TV, IOS etc etc so it's mostly going to be used on automatic while I'm still experimenting with it!
Nice camera, should get some great shots from that and remember, practice makes perfect so you will have to get out on the fells lots more!
ReplyDeleteHi Sean
ReplyDeleteDo you use any filters on your lens and do you manipulate the photos on your PC before posting them on your site?
Yes, I use filters - Uv or polarising normally depending on the conditions. The photos are cropped, resized and sharpened before publishing.
ReplyDelete