A lot of people love a good buff. This versatile loop of fabric, created in the 1990s by a keen off-road motorcyclist, is the staple of many climbers and outdoorsy people. It’s for good reason. The buff is a multifunctional piece of clothing, which can...
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In a world where climate change is a real threat us climbers have to do our part to keep the environment we inhabit, and let’s be honest, take advantage of for our own pleasure, safe.
Sometimes it is easy to forget to do certain things to maintain a fun but environmentally responsible balance but it’s actually pretty simple!
[caption id="attachment_2407" align="alignright" width="195"] Photo: Paramo[/caption] I'm only a recent convert to Paramo clothing - let's face it many of their jackets look like they're better suited to bird watching than mountaineering, even if they are technically capable of the latter. Less fashionable, more older-ramblers attire. However,...
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I have recently taken the plunge and made the decision to replace my 12 year old jacket and enter the world of modern fabrics and design. I thought I would jot down my experience and share it with you.
Firstly, it’s important to remember that staying dry is the key to staying warm. I spent a lot of time researching different jackets and trying lots on before making a final choice. This is definitely advisable if you are thinking of spending your hard earned cash, as a good waterproof jacket will set you back anything from £120 to £500 depending on what specification, fit, fabric, style, brand and colour you’re after. Don’t feel under pressure to buy until you are happy with your choice.
Love: the waterproofness.
What I would change: Need to have women’s sizes.
Best for: Wet Scottish winter climbing, walking and mountaineering.
Description: Inner and outer glove – Inner is a windproof soft-shell with palm grippers, which covers the hand snugly. Outer is a separate super-waterproof glove, with high gaiter, nose-wipe thumb panel, easy function gaiter-tightener and arm-hangers.
Fit: I bought a men’s small and they fit very well. They don’t come in women’s sizes (yawn). I have rather large hands for a small woman, so usually buy men’s gloves anyway. I doubt very much that those with small hands would have the same luck.
The background to my purchase of the Shewee Extreme was a 14-hr epic mountain day in Scotland this winter with three men, during which time I had to perch on a snow ledge sandwiched between two men with their eyes closed while I crouched for a wee, with another man ascending up to the stance at the same time. The ascending male had to be asked to hold on for fear of receiving a face full of warm yellow liquid. An interesting tale, but not an experience that I particularly wanted to repeat after that journey. I’m sure the men would rather it weren’t repeated too.
In 2011 I went walking around Ben Nevis and realised that it was to invest in a backpack to accompany my multifarious mountain pursuits – single and multi-pitch climbing, mountain walking and winter mountaineering. My first port of call was Manchester Oxford Road Cotswolds, as they are stalwarts in reliability and good customer service. Being a clearance store they didn’t have a full range so, instead I went to the Manchester Deansgate branch.
At first glance I thought that buying a pack would offer a straightforward choice, but I was, firstly, dazzled with the array of packs available, and then very quickly became suitably disappointed by the very few packs from which I eventually had to choose. Why? I am small. When I say small I mean 5ft tall (155cm) and with a waist of about 28 inches. The staff member in the shop was brilliant, helping to work out the best fit using realistic weights and assessing my needs. My resulting purchase was the Osprey Talon 44 in Indigo blue. So, more than a year in, here’s my review of the bag…