Wild Camping, Hiking, Back pack, Tent talk, Mini camper etc.......

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

27 minutes ago, tatsblisters said:

Might sound a daft question but any of you lads who have done these trails use the hiking sticks i seem to see and are they of any benefit to walking steep inclines.

I haven't personally used them, I don't feel a need for them at the moment, but I know people that do use them and they swear by them! I've slipped and gone down backwards in the blink of an eye onto my rucksack a few times, dinting my flask once, and I'm pretty sure the poles would have saved my ass there and prevented that from happening!

[FLATTOP 4,286]

1 hour ago, tatsblisters said:

Might sound a daft question but any of you lads who have done these trails use the hiking sticks i seem to see and are they of any benefit to walking steep inclines.

I was coming down Pen Y Fan a few years back and a woman behind me had no sticks and was in my opinion wearing wrong kit ( leggings ) she slipped forward if she had grabbed my shoulder she would probably been ok she didn’t, she ended up ripping her kneecap off down to the bone and me and my son arranged mountain rescue where she was then carried down and ended up having an operation in hospital, going forward I will use a stick/ sticks can only help.

[tatsblisters 9,390]

1 minute ago, FLATTOP said:

I was coming down Pen Y Fan a few years back and a woman behind me had no sticks and was in my opinion wearing wrong kit ( leggings ) she slipped forward if she had grabbed my shoulder she would probably been ok she didn’t, she ended up ripping her kneecap off down to the bone and me and my son arranged mountain rescue where she was then carried down and ended up having an operation in hospital, going forward I will use a stick/ sticks can only help.

I always used to carry a walking stick of some sorts on my walk out with the dogs and know it could come in handy a mate made me a cracking walking stick with a nobble top that I ended up leaving leaning up against a tree wile shooting squirrels with the catapult and only realised I had left it when I got home and went back in the afternoon for it but someone had found it to say I was gutted was an under statement . I've got a few in the coal house a nice thumb stick with a staghorn fork though I never bother with them now on a walk out. 

[mel b 2,087]

7 hours ago, tatsblisters said:

Might sound a daft question but any of you lads who have done these trails use the hiking sticks i seem to see and are they of any benefit to walking steep inclines.

I always used nordic hiking poles . They're just slightly heavier duty than normal walking poles , and have a better grip.

I was advised to try them , but I was a bit embarrassed to be honest . I used just one pole for a few weeks , then switched to two poles . Using two poles was a bit more awkward at first , but you soon get used to them.

I can't praise them highly enough to be honest . Once you're used to them , it's like having two more legs .  They take the weight off your knees when you're tired , and take the weight off your thighs and ass on those long uphill stretches , and take the weight off your calf muscles on the really steep parts . They really help you to feel more sure footed , and you're faster, because you're sort of pulling/pushing yourself along with your arms.

Be careful when you first use them , or you'll kick them and trip over them , especially coming downhill. .

[mel b 2,087]

The first pic is me in fort William,  getting ready to start the three peaks . I'd just eaten two full English breakfasts in that pic .  I started ramping up the food a few weeks in advance.  You'll need plenty of energy stored in your body.

The second pic is me somewhere near the top of Ben nevis. At the time I was still smoking 60 fag's a day.  I could never smoke going uphill , but I'd light a fag at the top , and smoke all the way back down.

Most folks that do that kind of things are fitness freaks , and would look at my fag in horror .

To this day , I can't look at a mars bar, or kendal mint cake , without wanting to throw up .

 

[low plains drifter 10,234]

9 hours ago, Bush Rummager said:

I haven't personally used them, I don't feel a need for them at the moment, but I know people that do use them and they swear by them! I've slipped and gone down backwards in the blink of an eye onto my rucksack a few times, dinting my flask once, and I'm pretty sure the poles would have saved my ass there and prevented that from happening!

Dinting your flask?, I hope it wasn't your hip flask containing wild turkey 101

 

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

46 minutes ago, low plains drifter said:

Dinting your flask?, I hope it wasn't your hip flask containing wild turkey 101

 

Any good like??

[low plains drifter 10,234]

9 hours ago, Bush Rummager said:

Any good like??

 

[tatsblisters 9,390]

14 hours ago, mel b said:

The first pic is me in fort William,  getting ready to start the three peaks . I'd just eaten two full English breakfasts in that pic .  I started ramping up the food a few weeks in advance.  You'll need plenty of energy stored in your body.

The second pic is me somewhere near the top of Ben nevis. At the time I was still smoking 60 fag's a day.  I could never smoke going uphill , but I'd light a fag at the top , and smoke all the way back down.

Most folks that do that kind of things are fitness freaks , and would look at my fag in horror .

To this day , I can't look at a mars bar, or kendal mint cake , without wanting to throw up .

 

Great pics mate. I suppose it was your job that gave you the fitness to tackle these trails. Notice you have the sticks or whatever they call them in the bottom pic. If I do get to do Ben Nevis I think I will invest in a pair. 

[mel b 2,087]

4 hours ago, tatsblisters said:

Great pics mate. I suppose it was your job that gave you the fitness to tackle these trails. Notice you have the sticks or whatever they call them in the bottom pic. If I do get to do Ben Nevis I think I will invest in a pair. 

They're certainly worth the investment.  Just make sure that you use them for a while , so that you're used to using them , and build your upper body strength .

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

Managed to get out last night for camp by myself. Up on Derwent edge.. 3 mile walk I'm. Found a nice little pitch tucked away by some rocks to keep the very strong north easterly off me! They'd forecast full sun but didn't i much of it!!

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

Took all the cooking gear as I'd have a bit of time to kill. Lamb, noodles, bit of pre chopped pepper and onion and whacked a stir fry sauce in with it. Was pretty good to be fair. Can't beat eating hot food outside when it's cold! 

 

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

I sliced the lamb up so it would cook quicker.. I almost felt an urge to start windmilling!!

Just between us lot, don't tell anyone.. I gave it a little lick before I put it back in the pan!! Lol..

[mel b 2,087]

41 minutes ago, Bush Rummager said:

I sliced the lamb up so it would cook quicker.. I almost felt an urge to start windmilling!!

Just between us lot, don't tell anyone.. I gave it a little lick before I put it back in the pan!! Lol..

That looks like a right good feed.

[Bush Rummager 4,394]

7 minutes ago, mel b said:

That looks like a right good feed.

Thanks mate! It was nice to eat something proper. Those dehydrated bags are convenient and very lightweight.. especially if you filter some water up on the hill to save weight carrying it up, but it's still not like tucking into real food with proper chunks of meat!