tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post861724996590383969..comments2023-06-02T10:49:09.040+01:00Comments on Gordon's off .....: TGO 2012 - Comfort not obsessionGordon Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-74581292141446421842012-02-11T15:43:48.385+00:002012-02-11T15:43:48.385+00:00I aint had much issues with midges and a bivy with...I aint had much issues with midges and a bivy with a bug net is the best way to go under a Trailstar I reckon now. I was not into bivy bags much but have come to like them. <br /><br />You changed rucksacks Gordon. Tallon 44 has a good rep. Comfort over obsession is right. I got some new gear BTW. Addicted not. Just have a big walk and needs dictate some new kit to meet the need I have for this walk. Function over weight and comfort over obsession all the way.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-85160526742443211252012-02-10T15:03:16.873+00:002012-02-10T15:03:16.873+00:00Hi Alan and Andrew,
I guess I have been fortunate...Hi Alan and Andrew,<br /><br />I guess I have been fortunate not to experience midges in May, so far.<br />I guess one year I will experience them. <br />Either with the Oookstar or bivy, one thing for sure is that the Trailstar is a fantastic shelter.Gordon Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-65882453229240904982012-02-10T13:58:43.848+00:002012-02-10T13:58:43.848+00:00I have been eaten alive by midges on the Challenge...I have been eaten alive by midges on the Challenge on a number of years. I would NEVER :-) ever go without decent midge protection!<br /><br />When I have some more dosh, I am going for a Trailstar with one of Sean's inners.Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-80414238231121169332012-02-09T18:55:24.456+00:002012-02-09T18:55:24.456+00:00Sean has tweaked the inner now.
So at a pinch it c...Sean has tweaked the inner now.<br />So at a pinch it can pitch as low as 95cm.<br />Having been at Ault na Goire last year( spelling?).<br />There were millions of bloody midges.<br />I might be inclined to an inner.<br />But to each his own.Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-85358714819323844982012-02-09T15:20:26.348+00:002012-02-09T15:20:26.348+00:00Hi Bryan,
Thanks, I love looking at gear lists fo...Hi Bryan,<br /><br />Thanks, I love looking at gear lists for ideas. On my two TGOs I never had any midges, but I have also used a bivy when it has been midgy. Chances of getting them in May are slim - but I have read accounts of them being around last May!<br /><br />Sean at Oookworks has come up with a great inner for the Trailstar. I have also commented to him that having an Oookstar inner does limit your pitching possiblities - in reality maybe not that greatly. It comes down to what people prefer. <br /><br />Personally, having tried using an MLD bug bivy under the Trailstar, I prefer to use a bivy bag with a mesh hood. <br /><br />You can lay down anywhere under the Trailstar in a bivy bag. If you pitch over a clump of heather, like I did last year, you just lay to the side of it.<br /><br />My main plus with the bivy bag is that it does increase the temperature range of the Minim 300. Especially with extra down clothing. I've been down to minum 5c with the bivy bag and the additional down gear on my list. Also, when you zip up for the night, there are no draughts and no bugs are going to creap in.<br />I have read that some experienced condensation problems with the Ptarmigan - but I never have over a few years use: and I rate it very highly.Gordon Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-2015305857173753442012-02-09T14:56:44.353+00:002012-02-09T14:56:44.353+00:00I can easily plan and pack your kit, Andrew. Just ...I can easily plan and pack your kit, Andrew. Just bring it all to the Snake Pass. For a small fee I can arrange for it to go from Morar to Montrose. <br /><br />My comments to Bryan on the Oookstar apply to your thoughts too.Gordon Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-42220115251181064092012-02-09T14:52:51.374+00:002012-02-09T14:52:51.374+00:00It's amazing how good a simple dehydrated meal...It's amazing how good a simple dehydrated meal can taste in the hills. That same meal at home would be ugh! Even better, is the occasional pub or hotel meal.<br />Have fun in the lead up to May. May see you then.Gordon Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06955685488317618975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-47070642849078513752012-02-09T14:24:00.944+00:002012-02-09T14:24:00.944+00:00Great article Gordon. It is great to see other wal...Great article Gordon. It is great to see other walkers/challengers gear lists to compare and in your case you have provided an overall rationale.<br /><br />We have previously spoken about midges and that you have not had a problem with them on your TGOCs with the Trailstar so I'm wondering about your reasonings for taking the bivvy bag?<br /><br />I'm stil considering an Oookstar inner net because if there happens to be a lot of midges on the Challenge then I will be confortable but that bivvy you mention looks interesting and with the mesh hood option it comes in and just under 200g which would be great for tarping in the summer too (I like multipurpose gear!)<br /><br />BryanBryan Waddingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16342757961803821270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-81382266873403162232012-02-09T01:35:31.162+00:002012-02-09T01:35:31.162+00:00Can you plan & pack my kit as well Gordon.
I a...Can you plan & pack my kit as well Gordon.<br />I always leave it until about the week before.<br />I should know better by now but heh....<br /><br />This year I am pondering on Wendy or a Trailstar with MLD Bivvy and probably an Ookstar (cos of the midges and ticks and stuff).<br />Need to sell my old Laser Competition though.<br /><br />It should be easy for you to pack it all for me because I am using the TALON 44 AS Well.<br /><br />See you on route unless you make it to Snake Pass.Andrew Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744521212967848460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-381515362913927434.post-3931801881478263402012-02-08T17:13:24.677+00:002012-02-08T17:13:24.677+00:00My obsession is food (and not just when I'm wa...My obsession is food (and not just when I'm walking!) This year, I'm carrying more and different, last year I didn't eat enough because I didn't fancy it, although my main meals are good, I haven't changed them. It's the same thing, comfort over obsession.Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05089530928216314797noreply@blogger.com