Phd Alpamayo smock - first impressions

My PHD Alpamayo waterproof smock arrived on Friday. Made in the UK.

This weighs in at 435 grms (L).  I tested the weight on my scales and it was the same as on the website.

What attracted me to the Alpamayo smock was the weight and the weatherproofness.

The jacket weighs in at 590 grms.

Do away with the pockets and you get down to a respectable 435 grm. I don't use handwarmer pockets, especially with a pack, and the Napoleon pocket on the smock is, really, all I want.

What do you get?

My last "proper waterproof", years ago, was a ME jacket that weighed in at - not sure, but it was heavy compared to nowadays. Then I got a Paclite jacket from Berghaus. OK, but Paclite. Then I got a Marmot Precip. Nice, but................. could I trust it in really bad weather? Mixed reports were enough to put me off trying it out for real.

So, I looked around for a lightweight waterproof.

In context, I had discovered Cioch waterproofs: Glamaig, Fionn... and Harta. They use the Paramo lining and are completely waterproof. The Glamaig is a reasonable weight and could almost be an all-year-round smock; just a little bit too heavy for carrying - at 700 grms. And, on the 2009 TGOC I ended up carrying it quite a few times. I could live with the weight, but there was less ability to vary the options: I guess this is why the classic - fleece, windproof, waterproof set up is so popular.

So, I looked at the options: OMM Cypher, Berghaus Asgard, Rab Demand, Haglofs Oz, etc.,

Some, if not all, were lower in weight than the Alpamayo.

Then, I re-read the reviews on waterproofs in Trail and TGO magazines. The waterproofs were good, or, otherwise, as rated, but, what was the lasting thought - they were too short. Same with the others - one or two I tried on.

I'm not a great fan of waterproofs that don't perform. My memories of a Blacks smock, years ago, were that I was as wet inside as I was outside. Until I got my Cioch Glamaig I did not think that waterproofs were much good.

Why the Alpamayo?

Simple, really. I have become a PHD-a-holick. The down tops I've got are top class; the sleeping bags are top class. But, I saw a comment recently that the idea of a Phd waterproof was ............ well, they are not known for waterproofs.

This was it! A great, respected UK company with a world-wide reputation for quality down equipment bringing out a couple of waterproofs. What's this about?

Phd have brought out waterproofs in the past: the Alpamayo in Tempest, or, with a Gore Tex option. Did nothing for me.

Technology has advanced so much: if Phd were prepared to put out a jacket and smock with their latest tried and tested 3 layer waterproof material, then they were worth a look. Phd would not bring out a waterproof that was not first class - and more!

So, first impressions - at last - fantastic.

It's a proper top: full hood, full length, soft feel, proper zips (Riri), storm flap, etc., etc., (There is a full description on the PHD website).

It is a proper top!! - to repeat. No scimpy zips, no dodgy fabrics, no compromise on function. 435 grms for a Large - and it is not a cut-all-corners-type-large; my Phd down gear can easily be worn underneath.

I'm off for a week, next weekend, to give it a first proper test - if it rains - so I'll be able to give it a real test. But, first impressions.....

Fantastic!!

TGOC 2011 - A gear testing trip around Kinder.

Loads of folk are looking forward to May and the TGO Challenge. Me too.

I'm terrible at running a blog: hat's off to those who do.

But, a break in blogging silence to post a list of kit that almost ** fully worked last week, in a try-out trip around Kinder. No camera taken.

** Take six  6" Alpkit V titanium stakes + five 6" Alpkit titanium nails in future

Saturday night was the TGO dinner at the Snake Pass Inn. Superb.

It was very windy, with showers on thursday and friday, not so bad on saturday and really sunny on sunday. Sunday night was about minus 5c and monday was sunny and bright for my trip home.

Gear taken/worn was:

Pack and sleeping gear

OMM 32 L Classic backpack - brilliant!
OMM Trio chest pouch - great
MLD Trailstar - Ron's best!
5 titanium stakes + 5 even thinner titanium stakes - strong winds need better V shaped stakes (Trailstar blew down on Thursday in strong winds)
Spinnaker ground sheet - great
Titanium Goat bivvy - top class
PHD Minim 300 - brill!
Thermarest Ridgerest (cut down short) - forget Neo-air: I'm back to this + the OMM mat from inside the OMM pack
Various U/L dry bags for keeping gear dry
PHD down socks - toasty
Berghaus synthetic longjohns - a favourite

Worn

TNF Apex light trousers - a favourite for years
Integral Designs U/L short gaiters - perfect
TNF Hedgehog mids - another favourite
Smartwool socks - thin, - great
Rohan briefs - favourites
Embers Merino L/s top - excellent
Rab microfleece - top class
Montane Litespeed - excellent
Extremities fleece gloves - favourites
Extremities Tuff Bags - superb
Black Rock down hat - weighs nothing and V warm day and night - from USA

Carried
(and sometimes worn too)

Marmot Precip - good lightish raingear, but would not trust in V wet conditions***
Berghaus Paclite waterproof over-trousers - top class
Buff - say no more
Buff sweatband - I like the skulls on it, and it just keeps my neck free from drafts
PHD Ultra Down Pullover - fantastic: day and night
Spare Smartwool socks
Spare Rohan briefs
Icebreaker S/s merino top
Silva Type 4 compass - had for years
Garmin Etrex GPS - a new toy that works brill
BMC Peak District Map - waterproof
MSR peg trowel - Colin Ibbotson design and brill
Toilet paper - not loo roll which mushes easily, but, kitchen roll which works much better
Tissues - enough for 4 days
Petzl Tikka + spare batteries - had for years
Debit/Credit cards - just 2
Reading glasses
Mobile phone - Blackberry
First aid kit - home made and including mirror and tick twisters and toolcard
Toothbrush
Dr. Bronners soap in 50ml bottle - superb
V Small towel - had for years
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Poles

*** PHD Alpamayo smock on order

Kitchen

Alpkit Mytimug - a favourite
Evernew DX stove and stand - first class
Meths - in two bottles, 300 mls in all
Long plastic spoon - from Outdoorsgrub
Kitchen towel - enough to dry out pot, a few sheets
Matches and lighter - I've tried steel and flint but it doesn't do it for me
Food pouch - from Outdoorsgrub
Source 2L - for water
Sprite 500 bottle - for water: Sprite is just right

Food carried

4 Mountain House meals - classic
8 Cuppa soups
12 Alpen breakfast bars - 3 a day
8 small Twix
8 Tunnock biscuits
4 Mars bars
Coffee - for 4 mornings
Milk powder - for 4 mornings

The conclusions

Everything packed in to the OMM Classic 32 + OMM chest pouch: with room to spare.

Everything worked, except for the stakes, which were too light for the windy conditions.

The highlight

Going to bed on sunday night with the frost hard on the Trailstar.
Sleeping well and feeling warm enough inside the Minim 300, with the down hat and Ultra down pullover and down socks (and longjohns and Smartwool socks)
Waking up to frost inside and outside the Trailstar.
Chipping the ice from the mesh on the Ti-goat bivvy bag.
Feeling the wet from breath on the sleeping bag.
Pouring ice and water for making coffee in the morning.

Drying out sleeping bag and the other bits and pieces on a beautiful, sunny Monday morning.

Top pitching tip

Pick a spot that will get the sun early in the morning if it's a cold frost night.

MLD Trailstar - WOW!!!

My MLD Trailstar arrived yesterday! Six weeks to the day from when I placed the order.

Today I put it up in the garden. I re-read the MLD blurb on how to put it up; and, I re-read Colin Ibbotson's description - before trying to put it up.

Colin is right - if you take more than 2 mins to put this shelter up, you are doing it wrong!!

Tensioning it to that twang perfection had to wait until my second attempt at pitching - and I had to re-read Colin's advice on how to achieve the tension he describes.

I'm waiting for a dry day to do the seam sealing.

All my faffing aound with previous tarp arrangements - and tarps bought! (Selling a load of gear on eBay - has mitigated this expenditure!)

If only I had gone for the Trailstar!!

Spacious, easy to pitch, able to withstand high winds ............. Thanks to the reviews on BPL, and Colin's excellent review of the Trailstar, I'm, now, also a member of the Trailstar appreciation club!

I can't wait to use this masterpiece of design for real. It really is something else.

Damn! I succumbed to the lure - MLD Trailstar

I had a great walk last month from Fort William to Sheil Bridge (Ferry across the Loch).

This time I carried an Mld Cuben fibre Grace Duo tarp. As it happened, I used it once when I stayed in Inverie, camping by the shore. The other night were in Corryhully and Sourlies bothies.

I like the Grace Duo tarp. At Inverie it rained heavily overnight and I was very comfortable and dry.

I'm pretty sure the tarp can cope with moderate winds, but............. I would not want to use it high up in the hills, or on the TGOC. Keeping low, and using the Grace Duo, would nor concern me too much. Just need to get the right location.

So ................ what?

Then I re-read Colin Ibbotson's review of the MLD Trailstar.

That's it! It can cope with high winds - Colin knows his gear and I respect his opinion.

The order is placed. It should arrive early in August.

And, I'm watching the bidding on eBay for some gear I'm selling.

This will pay for the Trailstar.