Mont Blanc for Downderry

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last week or so… I’ve just got back from a trip to Scotland. I was intending to do a bit of winter walking and ice climbing, but there was very little snow or ice around so had to console myself with some long distance (and very wet and windy) walking. It did however, give me the opportunity to figure out some of the gear and methods I want to use when we finally tackle the Tour of Mont Blanc in the summer. Especially as I was staying with a couple of army lads, and had the chance to see some of the ways they do things, that I don’t usually come across when spending time in walking/climbing circles. Here are some of the decisions I have made about gear choices…

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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.

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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.

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