Saturday 30 July 2016

Celebrating National Parks

Loch Morlich & the Northern Corries, Cairngorms National Park

This is National Parks Week so in celebration of our parks, which I think are a great achievement despite the many problems, here are photographs of four I've visited in recent years, including of course the one in which I live.

Sunset over the western Lake District National Park

Derwentwater, Lake District National Park

Looking down to Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park

Snowdon, Snowdonia National Park

Loch Lomond, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

The Lairig Ghru, Cairngorms National Park


Monday 25 July 2016

Cloudy Cairngorms: A Walk Up Bynack More

Strath Nethy, looking towards a distant Bynack More

A rare visit from my London-living brother Steve led to a walk in weather that could be considered dull as the skies were cloud-covered and the light flat. The hills were mostly clear though and the fast moving skies were dramatic with complex cloud patterns in every shade from black to white. And black and white seemed best for the photos too, bringing out the skies. The colours, mostly green, were dark and subdued anyway.

On Steve's last visit we went up Ben Macdui. This time I chose Bynack More, partly for the very different landscape and the lovely approach through the pine forests of Glenmore and the Pass of Ryvoan and partly because the forecast suggested any cloud clearance would come late in the day and would be brief. There might be rain too. Being a pointed peak not that much time is spent up high on Bynack More. That seemed appropriate for the weather.

As always the magnificent old pines and the renegerating forest raised my spirits on the walk to Strath Nethy where I noted that the few trees here - there were none not so long ago - were flourishing. The forest is returning to once sheep-cropped land.

Bynack More & Bynack Beg

The air was warm and humid, making for sticky walking as we began the real climbing up onto the broad northern shoulder of the mountain. Ahead the graceful curve between Bynack More and Bynack Beg held the eye. As you approach it looks like a fine sweeping ridge. It's not. That's an illusion. Once high on the mountain it vanishes, leaving wide stony slopes between the two summits.

As we climbed the air changed. Quite abruptly there was a cool breeze and a fresh feel. The effort of the ascent kept us warm but as soon as we reached the summit the wind dried the sweat and we needed to don jackets. The view was dramatic though with surging clouds over Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin. The wild heart of the Cairngorms.

The view from Bynack More

We descended over Bynack Beg and down to Strath Nethy. Again there was a sudden change. The wind vanished and the air was immediately muggy. My jacket felt stifling and was soon back in my pack. The promised late clearance in the weather hadn't happened. Just touches of blue sky that vanished almost immediately. Then as we were walking back through the Pass of Ryvoan late in the evening the setting sun cut across the land and a streak of hillside glowed gold under pink-tinged clouds. The moment was gone as quickly as it appeared, just a brief reminder of the difference sunshine makes.

Finally a touch of late sunshine

Sunday 24 July 2016

The Future of Chris Townsend Outdoors


Writer at work

My website has a new look, as many of you will have noticed.  Along with the update I’ve finally got round to revising some of the pages too. The new design, not yet complete, has been done by Kieran Baxter – I don’t have the skills to do this myself. Comments on the new look and content are welcome. 

The site has changed before but not for a few years. My first website was launched eighteen years ago. It was a fairly static affair. Blogging software didn’t exist and editing the site was a slow awkward process so I rarely made any changes. Nine years ago this changed and I added a blog to the site, which has been running ever since (1043 posts before this one – all still available). 

Revising the site has made me think about the future and what I’d like to do here. I have many ideas but not enough time. I’d like to give the site more attention and put some of these into practice. To do that I need to find a way to make some income from the site as it means taking time away from other work that pays now. I write and take photographs for a living and need to go on doing that.  I’ve been pondering how to do this for quite a long time. I don’t want to take advertisements (companies ask if they can advertise every so often) or host paid-for click-bait articles (I’m offered those too). I don’t want to go down the subscriptions route either. I want my work to be free to all without any extraneous material. One of the pleasures of the web is coming across sites that are interesting and exciting and also being able to return to sites you like without having to pay. I wouldn’t want my site to be hidden behind a paywall. 

This leaves one option. Pay As You Feel, aka Pay What You Want. There are many sites with this now and I’m joining them. It means that if you wish you can donate whatever you think my work is worth. There’s no obligation, no requirements, no commitment. The site will remain free to all. How it develops will depend on how much money I can raise however. 

Please let me know what you think of this idea and also what you’d like to see on the site. 


Thursday 21 July 2016

Walking Man, the biography of Colin Fletcher, now available on Kindle


I'm excited! Walking Man, the story of my favourite outdoor writer Colin Fletcher, is now out on Kindle. This is a book I've been waiting a long time to read. The physical book should be out soon. I'm buying both!

If you don't know who Colin Fletcher is here's a link to a piece I wrote about him some years ago - http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2008/11/colin-fletcher-man-who-walked-through.html.

Camping & Cooking Gear for the TGO Challenge & Long Distance Walks

A camp on this year's TGO Challenge

The camping gear I used on the TGO Challenge back in May wasn't new and had all been used on previous long-distance walks. I've described it in my column on the TGO Website.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

A Hot Day in the Cairngorms


Creag an Leth-choin

Finally sunshine and heat! Away with the dark clouds and the rain and the cold winds. Summer has arrived. Well, for a day anyway. Tomorrow thunderstorms and heavy rain. But that’s to come.
Enjoying this rare burst of summer in the outdoors couldn’t be missed. Real heat, high humidity and the possible early arrival of the first thunderstorm didn’t make a long high level walk sound attractive though so I decided it was time to visit a fine rocky peak that gives superb views and which I don’t climb often enough. 

The Lairig Ghru from the southern slopes of Creag an Leth-choin
 
Creag an Leth-choin (aka Lurcher’s Crag) is an outlier of the Northern Cairngorms rising high above the deep trench of the Lairig Ghru. In Munro’s Tables it’s listed as a subsidiary top of Cairn Gorm, which always strikes me as odd as there’s two other summits and some six kilometres between them. Out on a long spur jutting north from the Cairngorm Plateau it feels like a separate hill. 

The Chalamain Gap
 
Although 1053 metres high and with crags all along its west face and a rocky summit ridge Creag an Leth-choin is much easier to escape from in the case of bad weather, something in my mind as I watched the big cumulus clouds building up over the higher hills as I approached the rocky ravine of the Chalamain Gap. Once into this cleft I felt the full force of the sun as the breeze that had cooled me a little vanished. The rocks were warm, the air felt thick and stuffy. I was soon over the boulders though and out into the wind again, a deceptive wind as it was actually quite warm and whipped away sweat that was soon replaced only to be dried again. The result was a big thirst. On damp cool days I often go for many hours without drinking anything. In this heat I needed to drink every hour or so, and drink deeply too. 

Hot weather hill essentials - sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water

An old little-used intermittent path led to the boulder-strewn summit ridge of Creag an Leth-choin. To one side were the great cliffs of Coire an Lochain, still splashed with snow, on the other, even more impressive, steep slopes fell away into the Lairig Ghru with mighty Braeriach rising on the other side. It’s a magnificent view point.

The summit of Creag an Leth-choin with Braeriach in the distance

I followed the edge of the crags for a while, revelling in the view down the Lairig Ghru, then turned and descended rough wet slopes down Lurchers Gully and beside the Allt Creag an Leth-choin and the Allt Mor. The tussocky ground made for hard going with only traces of old paths to follow. But the rushing stream gave clear cold refreshing water and there were flowers and birds and the hills to watch. 

Looking across the Allt Mor to Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries
 
Back home and it’s approaching midnight now and a full moon hangs in a clear sky. It’s still 19°C outside. When will the storms arrive?

Saturday 16 July 2016

Findorn Quietness


With the hills in cloud and the forests and glens midge-infested the coast seemed a good place for a walk so we went to Findhorn to look at the sea and the sand and the sky and the clouds on a day of  soft subtle light. There was a gentle breeze and the air was warm. The clouds were thin but sunshine never quite broke through.


After lunch at the excellent Phoenix Cafe at the Findhorn Foundation we wandered along the beach. The tide was low and the sea calm. Streaks of water ran through wide bands of sand and shingle. Far out to sea yachts drifted slowly. Gulls dotted the sand, occasionally flapping slowly along the water's edge. A tern dived suddenly, plunging gracefully down. Oystercatchers shrieked, breaking the soft silence. Peaceful. It was very peaceful.


As always on Findhorn Beach there was a wonderful sense of space and freedom, a feeling of escape and beauty. We weren't alone. Others wandered the sand, children built sand castles, a few ventured into the sea. But the vastness of the land and the sea and the sky remained. The only jarring note was the sight of the construction of the first beach huts along the edge of the beach. Maybe though, once the machines have gone and the bright colours have weathered and faded they'll sink into the background, overwhelmed by the landscape.


Tuesday 12 July 2016

Salomon Wayfayrer Pants reviewed for TGO

Back in 2013 I was supplied with some Wayfayrer Pants for the Cairngorms in Winter film. I duly wore them during filming then put them in a box of gear and forgot about them until this year when I rediscovered them and wore on the TGO Challenge and some subsequent trips. I've written up my thoughts for my Online Column on the TGO Website here.

Sunday 10 July 2016

Outdoor Clothing: Layering


Windproof jacket & base layer - my most worn layer system


Searching through old files recently I came upon this piece on clothing layers that I wrote for The Great Outdoors a decade ago. I've amended it slightly for posting here. I've left the field tests as they were - as examples they still apply though some of the specific items are no longer available. The pictures are from more recent trips.

I've been thinking about layers anyway as I've been working with Outdoor Gear Coach on its piece on this subject.  

And if you want to see and hear me on layering, there's a video on BMCTV

Traditional wisdom has it that several thin layers are better than one thick one, being both warmer and more versatile. This is known as the layer or layering system. Now I don’t always agree with the conventional view but in this case I think it’s correct. Despite all the advances in fabrics and designs layering works and works well. A simplified version of the layer system consisting of base layer, fleece top and breathable waterproof jacket is still promoted by many outdoor clothing companies. 

Base layer, fleece, waterproof - the simple three-layer system

The base-fleece-waterproof system is easy to understand. Each layer serves a different purpose. The base layer wicks moisture away from the skin, the fleece layer keeps you warm, the waterproof keeps rain and wind out. Ideally moisture vapour passes through all the layers including the waterproof shell so you stay dry inside. That’s the theory. In practice this three layer system doesn’t always perform well. Depending on its thickness and the temperature the fleece layer may sometimes be too warm or too cool. As the fleece isn’t wind or water resistant the waterproof layer is needed in cold breezes and light showers as well as heavy rain. However even the best sealed waterproof fabrics have limited breathability so condensation is likely to occur at times, leaving you damp inside.

To improve the performance and comfort of the basic three layer system more layers and different fabrics can be added. This makes the system more complex and more confusing though, especially as some fabrics combine the properties of two or three conventional layers. How well do different fabrics work together? Are wool base layers compatible with high-tech synthetic mid layers? How do the various types of soft shell garments fit into the layer system? Is there a place for old style windproofs? What about thin synthetic insulated garments? And Pertex/pile and Paramo? With masses of competing garments all claiming to be the solution to comfort in all weathers choosing the best clothing system can be difficult. Here I hope to provide some guidance. Over the last few years I’ve been trying a wide variety of different combinations to see how various garments work together.

First though, some words of caution. Everyone is different. Some people run hot, some cold. Some sweat heavily, some barely perspire. How your body functions needs taking into account when choosing clothing. If you always wear more clothing than companions then thicker, warmer garments will suit you. If you arrive on every summit soaked in sweat then fast wicking, quick drying, lightweight breathable clothing will be the most comfortable.

Also, a layer system needs to be used efficiently to be comfortable. Layers should be put on and taken off as conditions change. A base layer may be all that’s needed when climbing a steep sheltered slope even on a cold day. A windproof layer may be added to cope with the wind when you reach an exposed ridge and then a warm layer when descending from the summit, where you have cooled off while looking at the view or resting. Constant adjustment is the way to work a layer system.

Layers can be worn on the legs, head and hands but here I’ve concentrated on the torso, as this is the key area. Note though that appropriate leg, hand and head wear is needed to accompany a layer system.

Wool

The modern layer system requires fast drying non-absorbent synthetic base layers to work. So went the conventional wisdom. However merino wool and wool/synthetic mix base layers prove that this isn’t true. In fact I find thin wool base layers more comfortable over a wider range of temperatures than any synthetics. I’ve worn merino wool base layers under soft shells, windproofs, fleece, synthetic insulated tops and all types of waterproof shells and they have always worked well. They do sometimes get damp but so do synthetics and wool is warmer and more comfortable when wet.

Soft Shell without membranes

This category includes stretch woven fabrics like the various Schoeller materials and The North Face’s Apex fabric plus microfleece lined windproofs like Marmot DriClime, Buffalo Teclite, and Rab Vapour Rise. The stretch woven fabrics are less wind resistant than the microfleece lined windproofs but more abrasion resistant. Both are very breathable and similar in warmth to a lightweight fleece such as Polartec 100. They are water resistant but not waterproof. I find they fit well in a layer system in cold weather, replacing fleece. They can be worn as the outer layer in all but heavy or continuous rain, which means a lightweight waterproof is all that’s needed as it will be in the rucksack most of the time. I have tried wearing a microfleece lined windproof over a stretch soft shell and found the combination very good in very cold windy weather. Together the two garments resist all but the heaviest rain while staying very breathable.

Soft Shell with membranes

Sandwich a windproof membrane between thin layers of stretch soft shell and the result is a completely windproof and very water resistant garment. Gore Windstopper Soft Shell and Polartec Powershield are the best known fabrics of this type. I’ve tried several of these garments and whilst the weather protection is welcome in severe storms they’re not as breathable as I’d like, especially in damp conditions. Powershield is more breathable than Windstopper but I’ve got very damp in both. Underarm zips help with ventilation but overall I think these garments are best suited to cold dry conditions. Most will keep out all but very heavy rain so a waterproof shell isn’t needed very often. When I have worn a waterproof over the top I’ve had more condensation inside than usual. I think having two garments with membranes really slows the passage of moisture vapour. 

Windproof jacket worn over a synthetic insulated top in a bitterly cold wind


Windshirts

My favourite addition to the basic three layer system is a thin windproof or windshirt, the garment I wear more than any other. Except in heavy or continuous rain a windshirt provides all the protection needed and is far more breathable than a waterproof (if you only use your waterproof when it’s really needed to keep you dry it’ll last far longer too). For year round use a single skin windproof is much more versatile than any soft shell as insulation is minimal so the garment is rarely too warm. A windproof can be worn over a fleece and base layer in the cold and over the base layer alone in warmer weather. In rain a windshirt can be worn under a waterproof and will provide a little warmth and help keep any condensation away from inner insulating layers. Windshirts are very lightweight and very low in packed bulk and so a minimal burden to carry. They are usually made from lightweight nylon and polyester, often types of Pertex. 

  
Insulated tops

Synthetic insulated top as outer layer on a cold day
Garments insulated with synthetic fills like Primaloft are ideal for damp cold weather as they are windproof, breathable, warm when damp, water resistant and quick drying. I’ve worn the thinnest versions on cold stormy days and they haven’t been too warm even when I’ve had a light fleece or soft shell underneath. They can replace a fleece in milder weather too. Thicker synthetic garments are best worn during stops or in camp and as a back up in case of severe conditions. I much prefer one of these tops to a thick fleece, windproof or not, as they are much lighter, less bulky and warmer.

Down provides the best insulation for the weight and bulk of any material. Even the lightest tops are too warm for me to walk in unless it’s bitterly cold however. However down is excellent to wear in camp, at rest-stops and as an emergency back up. I like jackets that are big enough to wear over all my other layers so I don’t lose heat by having to take any garments off.





Any room for standard fleece?

Ordinary, breathable, non windproof fleece still has a place in a layer system of course. However if such fleece makes up your only mid layers then a waterproof shell has to be worn more often, reducing breathability. I still like the thinnest fleece tops, made from fabrics like Polartec 100, Polartec Powerstretch and Paramo Parameta S. One of these worn with a thin windproof gives the same protection as a soft shell whilst being much more versatile as you can wear each layer separately. In cold weather a soft shell can be worn over or even under a thin fleece. I’d much rather have this combination than a thicker fleece, again because of the versatility, so I don’t carry thick fleece even in cold weather. For extra warm wear an insulated top is a better choice, giving more warmth and better weather protection for less weight and bulk than thick fleece.

Waterproofs

Wearing a soft shell or a windproof reduces the need to wear a waterproof. It doesn’t mean you never need one though. I’ve been soaked in soft shells and windproofs and needed a waterproof just to keep warm. Much of the time your waterproof can be in your pack though. If you stick to the traditional approach and your waterproof is your only wind and waterproof layer note that light fabrics won’t last as long or provide as much protection as heavier ones.  

Waterproofs are for rain


The Heretics: Buffalo and Paramo

By now some readers may be thinking what about Buffalo and Paramo? Don’t they have a place? They do of course, but they don’t fit easily into more conventional layering systems. Buffalo Pertex/Pile garments, along with equivalents from Montane and other companies, really can replace several layers. Worn next to the skin Pertex/pile functions as base layer, warm layer and, in most conditions, outer layer. It’s not waterproof but it is comfortable when damp and dries fast. Breathability is good and it keeps out the wind. However the thick pile inner makes it very warm and even with good ventilation options I overheat in Pertex/pile in all but the coldest, stormiest weather. And when it’s the only garment you have it’s either on or off. However for those who feel the cold it can be a good choice. A second layer is still needed for rest stops, especially when the Pertex/pile is wet. This can be another Pertex/pile garment such as the Buffalo Belay Jacket, an insulated top or a lightweight waterproof. 

Protection from Paramo in a blizzard

 Paramo Directional Waterproof shell garments are much more versatile than either Pertex/pile or soft shell in my experience. They keep out the rain and the wind whilst being very breathable. The thin lining makes them warmer than other waterproofs too so they are not garments for warm temperatures, except for those who feel the cold. Overall a Paramo shell is roughly equivalent to a windproof top and a lightweight soft shell or fleece. For me that means a Paramo shell is comfortable in wet or windy weather when temperatures are below 10c. I often wear one between October and May. Sometimes a base layer is the only garment needed underneath though in blizzards, gale force winds and sub zero temperatures I wear a thin fleece or soft shell as well.

Putting It All Together

Layering for the cold
After trying various combinations of garments I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no one layer system that is better than others. For maximum versatility and comfort the old principle holds true however. Several thin layers are better than one thick one, especially for use in a wide range of conditions year round. New fabrics do make a difference as to how the layer system is used. Cover a non windproof fleece with a windproof shell or replace it with a soft shell and you will find you need to wear your waterproof jacket far less often and so only need a lightweight one. I’ve been doing this for many years, having always liked thin windproofs, but the choice in garments is much greater than in the past. I now often wear a windproof top over a soft shell instead of a fleece, which means I need to wear a waterproof even less. 










FIELD TESTS


January

Weather: northwest wind, light snow showers, cloudy, temperature -1°C

Activity: 12 kilometre walk up one peak with 1100 metres
          of ascent. 6.5 hours.

Garments: SmartWool Lightweight Zip T merino wool
          Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover – light fleece
          Mountain Equipment G2 Guide Windstopper Soft Shell
          Mountain Equipment Matrix Paclite/XCR Gore-Tex Jacket
          PHD Minimus down jacket

Notes: Set off wearing G2 Guide over base layer. After a hundred metres of ascent up a steep slope sheltered from the wind I was too hot even with the front and underarm zips open so I removed the soft shell. Only when I was on a high ridge and in the wind most of the time did I put it back on. On reaching the summit I was slightly damp under the G2. I cooled down very quickly so donned the down jacket while I had lunch. Removing this I descended wearing the G2, feeling slightly chilly while in the wind and then a bit too hot when out of it. Once down in the glen I replaced the G2 with the Flash pullover for the walk back to the car. This proved much more comfortable as the fleece was far more breathable than the soft shell and there was little wind. The G2 kept out the wind and shed the snow but didn’t breathe as well as I’d have liked.

Number of layers worn 4
Number of times clothing changed 5


August 

Weather: continuous rain, moderate wind, thunderstorm and torrential rain afternoon. Temperature at 800 metres 20°C.

Activity: 19km walk with some scrambling and 1500 metres of ascent over four summits.7 hours 40 minutes.

Garments: GoLite C-Thru polyester T-Shirt
          The North Face Apex 1 soft shell shirt
          Montane Lite-Speed Windshirt
          Montane Superfly eVent waterproof
          Helly Hansen Thin Air Primaloft Vest

Notes:    A warm, humid and very wet day following two previous very wet days. Streams burst their banks and paths were ribbons of water. Staying dry was impossible but wearing the waterproof kept me much warmer and more comfortable than any other garment would have done. Warm wet sweat is better than cold rain! I only wore the T-shirt underneath and had the hood up all day. After the first hour the T-shirt and my hair were wet with condensation. No other garments were worn as I didn’t stop for more than a few minutes and never felt cold.

Number of layers worn 2
Number of times clothing changed 0
         

July

Weather: Cloudy, rain morning, dry afternoon, breezy. Temperature 11°C at 900 metres.

Activity: 13km walk with 2000 metres of ascent over three summits. 9.5 hours.

Garments: SmartWool Aero merino wool T-Shirt
          Montane Aero Windshirt
          Mammut Cerro Torre Schoeller soft shell
          Montane Hydra-Lite waterproof
          Helly Hansen Thin Air Primaloft Vest

Notes:    I set off steeply upwards in just the Aero T-Shirt and soon warmed up. After a few hundred metres of ascent the rain and wind started so I put on the soft shell, which I then wore for the rest of the day. I was surprised that I only got slightly sweaty a few times and was mostly quite comfortable. The soft shell proved very breathable and not as warm as I suspected. It shed the rain and wind and was warm enough even when stationary so no other garments were needed. A hood would have improved it however. As it lacked one I wore a Paramo Cap.

Number of layers worn 2
Number of times clothing changed 1


May  (TGO Challenge)

Weather: Mostly cloudy, occasional sun. Rain on 6 days. Winds from 25-38 mph on summits on 9 days. Temperatures between 3 and 25°C.

Activity: 13 day backpack. 300km and 14,250 metres of ascent over 29 summits.

Garments: Icebreaker Skin Long Sleeve merino wool top
          Jack Wolfskin Gecko microfleece top
          Rab Photon Hoodie Primaloft jacket
          Montane Lite-Speed windproof jacket
          Montane Hydra-Lite waterproof jacket

Notes: On a long backpacking trip weight is important so garments were chosen on this basis as well as for performance and versatility. The wool top was worn all day every day. Most of the time the Lite-Speed windproof was worn over it. This shed light showers and kept off the wind. In heavy rain I got quite wet but as I never felt cold I never wore the waterproof. One wet afternoon I walked for an hour or so with the Photon Hoodie over the windproof. The Hoodie kept out the rain and proved very breathable. A few times I wore the microfleece top under the windproof, mostly on chilly mornings or cold windy summits. Overall this set of clothing was ideal for the conditions encountered.

FEBRUARY

Weather: Cloudy, dry, occasional sunshine, cold N wind. Temperature + 3°C in the glen, -1°C on the summits.

Activity: 13km walk with 850 metres of ascent over two summits. 5 hours 40 minutes.

Garments:  Berghaus Xstatic Powerdry Zip T
           Haglofs Speed Windstopper N2S Soft Shell
           The North Face BiLayer microfleece lined windproof
           Western Mountaineering Flight down jacket
           Rab Latok Alpine eVent waterproof

Notes: I wore the Haglofs soft shell over the base layer all day. It’s made of a thin version of Windstopper and has underarm zips. The air was dry and I only got slightly damp during the ascent. On the summits the Windstopper top wasn’t warm enough and I wore the BiLayer over it. The combination was excellent in the cold wind. The Haglofs top has a hood, which was very useful and meant I didn’t need to wear a hat.

Number of layers worn 3
Number of times clothing changed 2


JANUARY

Weather:  Cloudy, some sunshine. SW wind gusting to 35mph at 1000 metres. Temperature +6°C in the glen, -2°C at 1000 metres.

Activity: 20km walk and 715 metres of ascent over three summits. 7 hours.

Garments:  Berghaus Xstatic Powerdry Zip T
           Patagonia R1 Flash pullover – light fleece
           Mountain Equipment Microtherm Mountain Jacket
   microfleece lined windproof
          GoLite Coal Polarguard insulated jacket
          Rab Latok Alpine eVent waterproof

Notes:     I wore the Microtherm jacket over the Patagonia pullover and the base layer all day. The combination was warm, breathable and comfortable. The Microtherm jacket has an excellent hood and pockets and is more designed as a full shell than most garments of this type. The Coal jacket was worn at stops.

Number of layers worn 3
Number of times clothing changed 2


NOVEMBER

Weather: drizzle turning to heavy rain. 40mph wind at 1000 metres. +3°C at 1000 metres.

Activity: 10km walk and 845 metres of ascent up one summit. 4 hours 45 minutes.

Garments:  Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Crew base layer
           Sprayway Lightspeed Powershield soft shell jacket
           Sprayway Primaloft Parka
           Montane Superfly eVent waterproof

Notes:     I set off in light drizzle wearing the soft shell over the base layer. Higher up the drizzle turned to rain and the wind became stronger and colder. The lightweight Lightspeed proved breathable and warm enough while I was climbing. It kept the wind driven rain out for a while but by the time I reached the summit it was wet inside and out and I was very damp. Some of the water had trickled down my neck as the Lightspeed lacks a hood. As soon as I stopped I felt cold so I put on the Primaloft Parka. I kept this on throughout the descent and stayed warm, if very wet. The Primaloft Parka was comfortable and didn’t lose loft when wet.

Number of layers worn 3
Number of times clothing changed 1

MARCH

Weather:   cloud, snow, sun, very windy at times, below
           freezing

Activity:  six day ski tour in the Norwegian mountains

Garments:  Icebreaker Skin Long Sleeve merino wool top
           Patagonia Flash Pullover – light fleece
           Paramo Aspira smock
           Rab Neutrino Endurance down jacket

Notes:     This was a stormy trip with snowfall and wind on five days. I wore the Paramo smock over the fleece and the merino wool throughout and kept warm and comfortable. This was an excellent combination. The Aspira smock has good ventilation options when required.