The Ridgeway

[SpikyPhasmid]

I didn't think about strap compatability, that is a very good point.
I did read about the luggage forwarders, but I kind of want to do it alone - having all I need with me is part of the challenge, to me.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by SpikyPhasmid

I didn't think about strap compatability, that is a very good point.
I did read about the luggage forwarders, but I kind of want to do it alone - having all I need with me is part of the challenge, to me.

its not that big a deal - most tents will strap on the bottom or top of most rucksacks, just an example of why IMO its an idea to buy the sac once you have everything else

and on the latter point - fair play but then the trick is to need as little as possible because you dont want to wind up carrying a load that is too heavy to enjoy the trip.

(one other thing you might want to look at is hiring a locker at goring station, which i think is still possible - that way you can stash a change of clothes etc ahead of time so that you can swap halfway without having to carry the clean stuff with you ( if you plan ahead you can then package the dirty stuff up and post it back home so you dont have to go and get it later))

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by eeyore

its not that big a deal - most tents will strap on the bottom or top of most rucksacks

I _never_ strap my tent on the outside of my pack - it's far too risky! I picked up a set of lightweight poles in the Cairngorms once that had slipped out of a tent bag that had presumably been strapped to the outside of a pack.

Jim

[SpikyPhasmid]

Do most tents not come in zippable bags to avoid bits falling out? I have a very cheap Argos one that I got for festivals and it's all zipped up when I pack it.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by SpikyPhasmid

Do most tents not come in zippable bags to avoid bits falling out? I have a very cheap Argos one that I got for festivals and it's all zipped up when I pack it.

Not always. I've got an expensive lightweight tent that just has a draw string. It's just not worth the risk of losing bits - a seam could open up at the bottom of the bag etc.. If you're in the hills, your life might depend on your tent! Mind you, this doesn't necessarily apply to The Ridgeway, but it's good practice to observe.

I put everything in my pack and any bits in my pockets I ensure they're zipped up. There's a £200 GPS on the slopes of Beinn a Bhuird in the Cairngorms, because I wasn't careful enough in securing it!

Jim

[SpikyPhasmid]

That's something to keep in mind when I'm choosing both a tent and a backpack, I think...
I have my boots sorted.
Women's Dhaulagiri II GTX | Hiking Boot | The North Face
I got these on offer. I tried a couple of different types and I pretty much fell in love with them right away. I tested the ankle support by walking down a fake rocky slope, all with hiking socks to make sure they'd actually fit properly with thick socks on.

[SpikyPhasmid]

Started breaking the new boots in this weekend. Walked round the zoo with them on yesterday, then walked to work and back today, which is 3 miles each way. My ankles hurt quite a lot - I am not used to wearing boots and they are quite stiff.

[SpikyPhasmid]

I got some better socks, much thicker, and it's fixed all discomfort from my new boots. I thought the ones I had were good enough, but I was wrong. Also, I had laced them to tightly the first times I wore them and I've hurt my tendons a bit.
So this weekend I am busy both days, but next weekend I am going on a proper all-day walk. My plan so far is the Downs.