tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post3724779550638807986..comments2023-06-02T10:49:09.040+01:00Comments on Gordon's off .....: Lightweight Backpacking is unsafe!.......... ????Gordon Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-72580251224177323252011-08-17T11:06:17.387+01:002011-08-17T11:06:17.387+01:00Hi Peter,
Welcome to the Trailstar fraternity! I n...Hi Peter,<br />Welcome to the Trailstar fraternity! I noticed on the OM forum that you got two Trailstars, one in good time for the Cumbrian Way.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the shelter and the trip.Gordonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-85485040880739121652011-08-16T19:17:27.977+01:002011-08-16T19:17:27.977+01:00hi gordon,i came to see your trailstar in langdale...hi gordon,i came to see your trailstar in langdale but now have my own :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-45414904958679372632011-07-07T09:53:17.105+01:002011-07-07T09:53:17.105+01:00............. I'm currently reading Hamish'................ I'm currently reading Hamish's Mountain Walk. He too had no sleep on a stormy night's camp, so there was nothing new about my sleepless night.<br /><br />There is also nothing new about lightweight backpacking. In the 60's and 70's lightweight gear was being used. It's just a matter of degree, technology and design.<br /><br />The Trailstar is getting quite a reputation in the UK. Even die hard tentists have been converted! It is the best shelter I've ever had.<br /><br />My Blogging started by "accident" and Phil converted that on to Doodlecat. But, I enjoy being a part of the outdoor Blogging community. And it is good to come across Blogs that I had not noticed before. The wealth of knowledge and experience that's around is amazing.<br /><br />My Granddaughter is about to do her DOE, so I will get to hear how the current line is with safety in the hills for DOE participants. <br /><br />I've seen many DOE groups struggling around with massive packs ..... they are constrained by what they can cobble together in the way of gear. My knees could not take the loads that they have to carry.<br /><br />My comfort will be put to the test at the end of this month when I go to Scotland. It can be too warm and I've yet to find an ultralight flamethrower to deal with the flying vampires.<br />But, I'll struggle through........Gordon Greennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-17872747687554632072011-07-05T21:58:19.673+01:002011-07-05T21:58:19.673+01:00Gordon, I have just come across your blog via Jame...Gordon, I have just come across your blog via James Boulter. I like your most recent post. Have come a long way since synthetic bags and 2 kg tents. I keeping trying to reduce my weight like my 2 skin 1 kg tent and have not gone for the Trailstar yet. A matter of preference, but UL is not dangerous - certainly less dangerous to your back and knees !! I have put your blog on my blog roll and added your blog into my Google Reader so I can read further posts by you.<br />Cheers<br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-271331636724063302011-07-05T19:55:50.844+01:002011-07-05T19:55:50.844+01:00For me lightening my pack has been a slow evolutio...For me lightening my pack has been a slow evolutionary process. I am taking my first steps into using a single skin shelter with the trailstar, should be with me by the end of August. Look forward to seeing how I get on with it. At the end of the day its taking the appropriate kit for the trip and knowing how to use it. I still do like a good solid tent though.......James Boulterhttp://backpackingbongos.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-30094405906640202042011-07-05T19:41:44.843+01:002011-07-05T19:41:44.843+01:00The old "safety" chestnut keeps coming u...The old "safety" chestnut keeps coming up, doesn't it? It's mostly cobblers, but, as in most scare stories, there is a grain of truth.<br /><br />You arrived at your present set of gear by "an evolutionary process" - i.e by experience and informed advice. More and more frequently I meet newcomers to outdoors pursuits who are not themselves neccessarily in the first flush of youth, but , being older and affluent are at least fairly flush.<br /><br />And therein lies the problem.<br /><br />The inexperienced gear obsessive, whose knowledge is culled from magazines and the internet. He (or she) has the latest, the sexiest gadgets, stoves, shelters etc etc, and hardly a clue as to what to do with any of it when things get nasty. Mind you, they can quote you every last gramme!<br /><br />It'll get worse before it gets better.<br /><br />Education these days is so risk averse that even DOE groups seem to have minders hovering nearby, ready to intervene.Elpushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16736460104596022993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-53159934763902020462011-07-02T09:03:10.624+01:002011-07-02T09:03:10.624+01:00Hi Gordon,
I enjoyed reading your account of the 2...Hi Gordon,<br />I enjoyed reading your account of the 2010 crossing, but I must admit that I was glad i wasn't there. Each night when the BBC Scotland weather forecast came on, my slight feelings of "wished I had entered" were quickly washed away. I can appreciate that those who did participate will have tales to tell for years to come.<br />I also liked your piece on the Lightweight Backpacking red herring. Funnily enough, my base weight has increased slightly over the last few years, gradually adjusting to an acceptable comfort/weight balance.<br />But there is absolutely no reason why an experienced hill goer using something like a Trailstar or other tarp would be any less safe than a similarly experienced hill goer using heavier gear. As long as the experience is gained on the hill and not on an internet forum or from a book, then lightweight gear should not be a safety issue.<br />Some people swear by tarps, others by tunnel tents, others by a Brand A or by a Brand B, etc, etc, but if their choices work for them, then who is to say they are wrong? We are all individuals after all.<br />I must say that I wasn't surprised that you didn't take the Classic 32 on the Challenge. I am happy to use mine for weekenders, but for longer trips, I prefer more room. But I have no doubts that 32L will be plenty of room for some Challengers.<br />I won't be doing much hillwalking until the colder weather kicks in again, but maybe we will bump into one another again up Glen Affric way.<br />Cheers<br />EddieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-61258103524870966182011-07-01T22:03:23.150+01:002011-07-01T22:03:23.150+01:00Ticks must be scared of me as I to had no issues. ...Ticks must be scared of me as I to had no issues. Strangely enough I used a Trailstar and was dry and warm. No bugs got me and I was snug and warm. Lots warm down stayed lofted and kept me warm all night.<br /><br />Tarps can have draw backs and I have wrote a lot about that in the past. But they do work fine in the UK. Heck I was Mr no to them. But I sold my Scarp as the Trailstar is my no one with a Solomid to come as my other option. <br /><br />One point on ground sheets and wet gear. No issues there either. I do trail shoes and I do light clothing. Again all was well. Me and Phil Turner raised a few eyebrows with the clothing we took. Again warm and dry all the way. I got a fleece on the way as It was on sale and good kit. So I got it but would have been fine without it. <br /><br />On pack weight. It is not the goal to have the lightest pack. The goal is the lightest kit needed for the trip you are going to do that meets your needs and functions as you want it to. I reckon you got it spot on. As for the monday storm. I went for a walk. Bit breezy I must admit.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-92056116783958526802011-06-29T14:58:42.025+01:002011-06-29T14:58:42.025+01:00I agree Gordon, gear is very personal, in fact int...I agree Gordon, gear is very personal, in fact intensly so. It's quite refreshing that you're not so evangelical as some lightweighters, but I also think that those of us that haven't yet evolved shouldn't be so critical without having first hand experience. A backpacker should use what they feel comfortable and safe with and accept that others are doing the same for themselves. There is a difference between a lightweight backpacker and a completely ill-equiped numpty!Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05089530928216314797noreply@blogger.com