Book Review: Pathfinder by Ron Strickland

Back in the early 1970s a young backpacker named Ron Strickland had an idea for a trail from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean. Decades of work followed, during which Ron campaigned for the trail, recruited supporters and trail builders and went out and worked and hiked on the route himself. Finally, in 2009, the Pacific Northwest Trail was designated a National Scenic Trail. Ron’s latest book Pathfinder is in part the story of the creation of this trail. However it’s not an account of endless meetings and masses of paperwork, tediously essential though these must have been, but rather a series of snapshots of various events and experiences that occurred during those years plus some digressions into hiking lore and literature (with a chapter on favourite backpacking books, which include one of mine – thanks Ron!). It’s a thoroughly entertaining read which can be enjoyed by anyone who loves backpacking and wild places, even if they’ve never been near the Pacific Northwest. Ron tells tales of hiking the PNT, including “bucking the brush” (an esoteric pleasure that I had a taste of during my PNT hike last summer), and of trail construction in tough conditions. Throughout the book there is a parade of larger-than-life characters from homesteader Ralph Thayer and gold miner Glee Davis and even a would-be terrorist who was unwittingly recruited as a trail builder through to modern day adventurer Andrew Skurka, the first person to hike the Sea to Sea route across the northern USA, another of Ron’s ideas. Interwoven with these people and a variety of wilderness adventures is Ron’s own love story, which makes the book a very personal story in a different way.

Overall this is one of the most enjoyable outdoor books I’ve read in many years. It really captures the experience and camaraderie of the outdoors and Ron’s love and devotion for the wilderness and hiking. I highly recommend it.

Dales Outdoor Weekend/Backpacker's Club

Last weekend I was at the Backpackers Club AGM and Dales Outdoor Weekend, at Stanhope in Weardale in County Durham. I arrived via the Weardale Railway (and four other trains from the end of the Annandale Way before that), a wonderful, locally revived line whose staff even erected a special short platform near the field in which the event was held, saving the road walk from Stanhope station. Stanhope itself is an interesting unspoilt stone-built town and provided good beer in several pubs (some of which had what looked like an exciting night life for such a small place!). The surrounding moors and woods are attractive too but I had no time to explore them, spending most of my time talking to people (and answering many queries - especially about tents). Much of Saturday was spent on the Cicerone stand where I signed some books, got to know my publishers better and chatted to outdoor writer Paddy Dillon. I also found time to wander round the gear displays, where there was a good range of tents and lightweight backpacking equipment.

The Saturday evening after the AGM there were a couple of slide shows before the talking began again. John Manning, a long time friend and fellow long distance hiker and outdoor writer, showed pictures of the trail angels who assist hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Having hiked this magnificent route many years before John I was very entertained by his talk and pictures, which appeared to be about a totally different experience. When I hhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifiked the PCT there were few other hikers and few trail angels (regular ones that is - local people were helpful throughout the hike). John showed pictures of water caches put out in the desert sections for hikers. I would have welcomed some of those!

But events like this are really about people, about the opportunity to talk with other like-minded backpackers about long trails (everywhere from Offa's Dyke to the Pacific Crest Trail), camping, outdoor gear and the whole outdoor experience. Thanks to everyone I met, old friends and new, those I talked to at length and those with whom I exchanged a few words. I enjoyed it all.

Update: Cicerone has put up a blog post about the weekend here.

New TGO - Terra Nova Laser Ultra 1 and other reviews

The June issue of TGO is out with my review of the gear I used on the Southern Upland Way back in February, including Terra Nova's astonishingly light Laser Ultra 1 tent, the Rab Neo Stretch jacket in Polartec's new waterproof/breathable Neoshell material, Pacific Outdoor Equipment's Peak Elite AC air bed, GoLite's Terrono 70 pack, the PHD Hispar sleeping bag, Edelrid Kiro Ti stove, Western Mountaineering Flash XR down jacket and more plus a full kit list. In the same issue I've also reviewed first aid kits and other safety items and written about the launch of Neoshell in the Dolomites. Also in the gear section Judy Armstrong reviews women's trekking sandals.

Elsewhere in this issue Simon Yates is interviewed about parenthood and mountaineering, Kevin Langan describes his East Highland Way that links Fort William and Aviemore, Emily Rodway lools back at last years TGO readers' trek in Morocco, Emily Rawlins links the 3000 foot Lakeland summits by bus, Vivienne Crow takes an outdoor first aid course, Cameron McNeish praises the hills of Glen Shiel and Jim Perrin writes about access and those who wish to restrict it.

The Annandale Way

Just finished a six day walk along the Annandale Way, an interesting route in southwest Scotland. Following the River Annan from its source in the hills to the Solway Firth the walk is a mix of moors, forests, fields, rivers, lochs and coastlines. The walk is particularly rich in bird life - I was glad I'd taken my binoculars - and, at this time of year, wild flowers. As a backpacking route it has challenges - finding wild camp sites and, even more, water required time and effort. But I did find three excellent wild sites and two quiet camp sites at Lochmaben (a lovely lochside spot) and Castle Haddom. I'll be writing a detailed route description for WalkHighlands.com.

The picture shows my camp site on Sorrysike Moor.

Dales Outdoor Weekend/Backpacker's Club

On the weekend of May 7 and 8 the Backpacker's Club AGM and Dales Outdoor Weekend ihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs taking place in Stanhope, Country Durham. The event will have lightweight equipment displays and a book fair at which I'll be signing copies of my Scotland book.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif I went to the last big Backpackers Club event like this held in Bellingham in Northumberland in 2007 and it was a really enjoyable weekend. Like Bellingham Stanhope is in a lovely area with plenty of opportunties for walks and cycle rides - an ideal place for an outdoor event rather than the urban exhibition halls in which they are too often held. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and look at interesting gear and visit some lovely countryside. I hope to meet many of you there.

More info from event@dalesoutdoorweekend.com and the Backpackers Club, where there is a link to a poster about the event.

The pictures were taken at the Bellingham weekend.

Tramplite Skins Pack Pictures

From top left:

Silnylon small skin

Cuben fibre medium skin with medium hipbelt

Cuben fibre medium skin

Silnylon small skin with small hipbelt

Dyneema medium skin

Silnylon medium skin with rain cover

Silnylon medium skin with no hipbelt frame

Dyneema medium skin with large hipbelt.

The frame disassembled.

Following on from the post about my TGO review of Colin Ibbotson's Tramplite packs here are some larger pictures, as requested by Robin of Blogpackinglight, whose post on the packs is here.

Apologies for the awkward layout. That's the best I can do with Blogger.

First Review of Colin Ibbotson's Tramplite Packs

Recently I was privileged to have a first look at a revolutionary new ultralight pack design from long distance backpacker Colin Ibbotson (who I have written about before - see Ultralight in the Cairngorms). Having had the design explained to me by Colin, examined the different styles and tried a model on day hikes and an overnight trip I've written a piece that is now on the TGO website here.

These packs really are different and look like being the most comfortable ultralight packs available.

The picture shows the Dyneema version, which is the one I have been testing.