Coast to Coast Walk (East to West) 2010

[davecatt]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

Thanks dave, for that tip. What I used to do, is wear my thick socks, but it's not really a good idea for mucking up the inside of the sleeping bag.

I like the idea of the space blanket, probably do that as a groundsheet back-up and use the Go-Lite Pinnacle rucksack with the fleece in the the bottom half of sleeping bag tucked into that.

When I was in Go-Outdoors, I saw some foam seat mats and maybe could use that for the feet area, but somehow don't think it would work, unless the mat is inside the rucksack. Therm-a-Rest do a nice inflatable mat and The Pound Shop sell the closed-cell mats for a quid.

I probably keep my old Therm-a-Rest matterest, it's still got a lot more wear left on it and I like the blue colour of it. I do like the Neoair, but the price is putting me off.

To be honest, I can't think of anythink else, I need for the Coast to Coast. I've even got a Therm-a-Rest chair, how cool is that, trouble is more weight to carry.

Theres your problem of cold feet solved,If your taking the Thermarest chair then use it as an extention of your matress , but as a weight saver you could buy one of the closed cell mats from the pound shop, cut off a length of about 16inches (weighs next to nowt) use that as a sit mat instead of taking the chair.
Dave

[foxy mars]

Whilst I was in the Pound Shop, I also got one of them survival shelter's. Really all it is, is a giant 8' x 5' silver foil blanket and a 20' cord. I thought that would be ideal for the groundsheet if nothing else and the cord would come in handy for something like a clothes line.

Yes, them closed-cell mats would be ideal for a sit-mat. I have one I don't really use that much. What I may do is measure my lower back and my bottom then cut it to size and use that instead. Well, it's worth a try.

[foxy mars]

Whilst cycling home from work tonight, thoughts going thru my head. Thinking what to do with my forecoming Coast to Coast, am I going to do it east to west or west to east or 12 days, could be 10 days or 8 days.

8 days I thought, thinking the Coast to Coast is a 190 miles walk or 200 miles rounded off. Doing a quick think, that would be 25 miles a day. That would be a very light-weight trip and do the Cleveland Way for the rest of the 2 week duration.

Now, 25 miles in a single day is some undertaking for a back-packing and one not to be taken lightly. Then again, I used to be in the long distance walkers assocation many years doing 25 miles, 40 miles and 50 miles in one go.

Yes, I like the idea of a 8 day Coast to Coast, however, I would need slice the weight down to the bare minimum. If that was the case, then the Thermarest mat is out and in with the closed-cell mat, which is even lighter.

Trainer's would be worned, wish I never started this thread now.

[foxy mars]

Oh by the way, my blog is here Martin's Out & Abouts I hope to keep the blog updated.

[posie]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

Oh by the way, my blog is here Martin's Out & Abouts I hope to keep the blog updated.

Who is Martin?

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by posie

Who is Martin?

Me ofcause

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

I probably keep my old Therm-a-Rest matterest, it's still got a lot more wear left on it and I like the blue colour of it. I do like the Neoair, but the price is putting me off

I think the temptation did get the better of me, I'm going for the Thermarest Prolite matterest. Much lighter than the one I have at the moment which is a Ultralite 3/4, the Prolite is 310gm and Ultralite is 440gm, quite a difference in weight. I can always sell the Ultralite 3/4 for a few quid on the CTC forum.

Also, while I'm at the camping warehouse (not Go-Outdoors) I'm getting a pot cozie for the MSR Titan kettle. I will use the Titan with the Trangia Mini stove and boil up first and simmer the rice for 20 minutes, thence saving saving on the meths. Ohh, what a clever person I'm

[Johnny Redgate]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

I think the temptation did get the better of me, I'm going for the Thermarest Prolite matterest. Much lighter than the one I have at the moment which is a Ultralite 3/4, the Prolite is 310gm and Ultralite is 440gm, quite a difference in weight. I can always sell the Ultralite 3/4 for a few quid on the CTC forum.

"My rucksack has oft been my pillow,
The heather as oft been my bed.
But sooner than part from the mountains,
I think I would rather be dead".

All together now .....

[posie]

Originally Posted by Johnny Redgate

"My rucksack has oft been my pillow,
The heather as oft been my bed.
But sooner than part from the mountains,
I think I would rather be dead".

All together now .....

That's really nice Johnny............................

and Foxy, I didn't know your name was Martin, always think of you as Foxy !....and I'm glad youre gettin' that new mattress, it sounds really right for the job, and much lighter. and the cosy is a really good idea, saving on meths. I'm getting quite envious of you doing this walk, though I wouldn't be able to do it, but it sounds great.......Posie...

[CapAndBracket]

Originally Posted by foxy mars

Yeah, just wondering about CapAndBracket, on what sleeping mat there may be using.

Having a look at some Therm-a-Rest mats myself in Go-Outdoors this afternoon and saw one I really liked - Neoair mat and a nice price at £90, but my old Therm-a-Rest is a 3/4 length and I'm fed up of getting cold feet. However, saying that it's still fine, but I do like that Neoair mat.

For the moment i'm going without a sleeping mat (not enough room in pack) but using space blanket under sleeping bag, i may learn this isn't enough and will report any mistakes as i go with regard to kit.

This whole exercise has been challenging, in trying to get the weight to a minimum, while retaining my own ideas like wanting to take a pair of sandals
(500 grams) so my feet don't live in boots continuously. Instead of taking a
spare pair of trousers i'm taking a spare pair of waterproof trousers, they are
light, i can wear a pair while doing laundry and if one pair get ripped i still have waterproofs.

Aiming for practice camp (pitch and cook) soon and will post about it on my
blog at the time.

Cheers J.P.