February 2007
Monthly Archive
Sunshine and showers!
Posted by dave on 27 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Training
We took a stroll on Dartmoor on Sunday for a bit more long distance walking practice. We also took the opportunity of being on a new part of the moor (Combeshead Tor area) to give a Gaëlle a bit of an introduction to navigation techniques. She took to it really quickly, and I think it helped give her a little boost of confidence in being in the outdoors.
The weather was a classic case of sunshine and showers… bright blue skies one minute and tipping down with rain the next. However, we stayed dry long enough to find some good bouldering, especially on Combeshead Tor - definitely worth a revisit on a nice, dry, summer’s day.
AlpKit Filet Down Jacket
Posted by dave on 25 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Gear
A new bit of gear I’ve purchased for when we hit the Alps in July (and for an upcoming mountaineering trip to Scotland), is a down gilet jacket. If you’re not familiar with the characteristics of down, it goes pretty much like this: Fantastic warmth to weight ratio, as long as it stays dry.
Quest for gear…
Posted by dave on 19 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Gear
A lot of equipment is needed to tackle the Tour of Mont Blanc comfortably and safely - from the obvious, such as good walking boots and decent shelter for wild camping; to the not so obvious, such as lightweight, durable cutlery and silk underwear to tackle sweat!
As Gaëlle is new to the hiking game, she has far more gear to buy before we head out to the alps in July. It’s been an eye-opener to me, as somebody who has purchased a fair bit of walking / climbing / outdoor gear, how much harder it is to find decent kit for women. We thought we would share our experiences of finding the right gear in the hopes it might help anybody else out there experiencing similar problems as Gaëlle.
Hit “Continue Reading” to find out about some of the gear we have been researching and / or purchasing in the last week or two.
Ramblers in the mist
Posted by dave on 18 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Training
Training this weekend consisted of a great day on Dartmoor. We had a good stomp around the Bridestow / Sourton area of the moor, taking in some bouldering on the various tors. We also had some fun navigating as the infamous Dartmoor mist repeatedly came down on top of us! (Must have been a good test for all the parties of Ten Tors trainees we came across, who have started practicing for the big event later this year.)
Who cares about the rain?
Posted by dave on 11 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Training
Well the rain hasn’t stopped us this weekend. We popped to Truro on Saturday, where Gaëlle finally managed to find a decent (and good looking) pair of women’s hiking trousers. Today, we took a stomp over to Bearah Tor via Sharp Tor on Bodmin moor where we managed some fun bouldering in our big hiking boots and on wet rock!
Gaëlle in particular seemed to cross a pyschological boundary today, her confidence has sky-rocketed and it really allowed her to push herself in tricky conditions.
Downderry Bouldering vid
Posted by dave on 11 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Training
As promised, here’s a short YouTube video of us bouldering at Downderry beach last weekend.
Back on it…
Posted by dave on 05 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Training
We haven’t posted in a little while, because the weekend before last we were both hit by a nasty case of food poisoning! (I won’t tell you who was cooking ‘cos I’d only embarass myself).
Since recovering though, we’ve really got back in to the swing of training. We’ve been running every day and with the fantastic weather we had this weekend, managed to get two solid days of climbing done.
On Saturday, we hit Bodmin Moor, climbing a couple of chimneys on Hawk’s Tor (home of the Bodmin beast!). Here’s a YouTube video of Gaëlle climbing one of the chimneys.
On Sunday, we strolled down Downderry beach at low tide, to access the excellent bouldering there. We had a very pumpy and tiring, but successful session - both of us are aching today! Video to follow soon…