I probably should get round to getting the OS app, but it's no substitute for paper. Although folding maps into mapcases is one of my least favourite tasks.

Derring-do.

That is the sum total of my useful input to this question.

Derring-do.

That is the sum total of my useful input to this question.

Derring-do.

That is the sum total of my useful input to this question.

I always buy Merrell footwear.

Booze.

Buy this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mystical-Fire- ... D2N5T1K1ZM

I've been getting increasingly aggravated listening to the Atlanta Monster podcast. There's a dude on it who keeps talking about "escapegoats".

I know a chap who helped out running some sort of New Age / Fairy Festival. They had a huge bonfire and he bulk bought kilos of this stuff and pilled it up inside the bonfire as he set it up. Apparently, they went *nuts* for it, and he was treated as some sort of Mystic Firemage for the rest of the weekend.

Take a whistle

bivvy bag

Introduce yourself to barmaids as a "Freelance adventurer" then request talk of rumours. If they have a bucket on their head you can steal with impunity.

I've always assumed Merrell was crazy expensive, but a quick look has proved me wrong. Is there a model you liked particularly?

I'm planning to walk the Two Moors way in June, shlumping across Dartmoor and Exmoor with just my faithful hound, some OS maps and my guitar* for company, and am actually quite enjoying the planning of it right now, so I thought I'd make a thread, so we can all share hiking boot recommendations, favourite camping breakfasts and pics of us on top of hills wearing wide-brimmed hats with feathers in them.

So far, my preparation has not proceeded far beyond buying aforementioned maps and wading through the vast amount of hiking boots on the market ( my cheap old ones have utterly failed ) but would happy to hear tips, hints and tales of daring-do from the outdoorsy amongst us. I'll also accept Facebook-style nature pics with inspirational quotes on them.


* I will not be taking a guitar.

Sounds ace. Growing up in the south-west, Dartmoor and its bleakness is imprinted deep into my psyche. Really should spend more time there. Besides, it's the only place in England where you can legally wild camp (so long as the Army aren't firing that day).

Tentwise, I love my Vango Banshee 200. Just the right size and weight for one man and his kit, and easy to put up and strike. It's a bit orange, mind.

Hat. Get a natty hat.

What do you guys use for water purification? Tablets, filters, or both?

Faith in the Lord Baby Jesus

I've bought myself a little wood stove - it's a fun little gadget! A handful of twigs is enough to boil a mug or two of water, although I don't think it'll replace a gas stove, as you have to go through all the faff of actually lighting a fire. It does make me feel like a proper mountain man though - sitting in the woods, boiling up a fresh cup o' joe over a fire.

(Also pictured: dog)

Camping stove and waaaay too much gas: Get!

a county top AND a marilyn! I'm a proper Hill Bagger now!

My sister is camping on the Isle of Wight tonight as she’s doing the Isle Of Wight Challenge, a 106km walk/jog around the island non-stop in 24hrs, and her start time is 7:40am tomorrow, so she’s camping tonight to be there early. She’s doing it as part of the event but without any buddies, though hopefully she’ll meet people over the course. She did the London to Brighton version last year and enjoyed it.

I think it was the heat that set her back. She said she had a few dark and difficult moments during the night, but the heat starting up early again today didn’t help her regain her lost time. She finished about midday, so walked 28hrs instead of the 24 that would have given her the same kind of pace as the London-Brighton, but there were a couple of sizeable hills in that last stretch (not difficukt climbs, but when you e been walking 27 hours already...)

She’s got London-Brighton lined up again this year, and Kilimanjaro (I k is I’ve spelked that wrong), as well as a few other distance challenges.