Such things appeal to my inner teenage metal fan as well as my current sense of mischief. It was a moment of levity in the midst of an at times, difficult couple of days.
The altitude is one thing, but the gradient map at the top of the display is interesting as well, as it shows the gentle up and down over the pass into Glen Affric and then the steeper ascent to the ridge.
I’ve always been a doubter of technology on the hills, I like mechanical stuff, a compass, your knees etc. But over the past couple of years this watch has been brilliant and has probably stopped my buying a GPS as it + map = that’ll do me fine.
Ha! So you finally got up Glen Affric, did you? Congrats :-)
Yes indeed, but folk used to gay banter and photies of a smiling bearded man should probably look away over the next couple of days as the story comes out…
What’s the watch model you reference in this post? I am looking at buying a watch with an altimeter and have heard spotty reviews. Sounds like you have one that works well.
It’s a Techtrail Summit. It’s basic as these things go I suppose, but it’s been reliable and accurate.
There were some issues with the straps a while back, but mine’s solid and the design has been tweaked as well.
I get a sore head looking a techy stuff, watches, cameras GPS etc, the Summit looked instantly understandable!
The readout is one thing, the spanking red colour of your hand/wrist is quite another – ouch, mate!
Aye, simple is good for these things. I’m still using a years-old basic Suunto Altimax and it does the job :)
Altitude info is indeed a fine aid to navigation (apart from the pure interest/curiosity aspect) – often it’s all you need alongside the map to quell any doubts…..
I missed Das there, the red is wind and stress :o)
Absolutely Matt, it’s a great tool. As I was walking the ridge last week I was ticking off the contours and tops on the map with my watch.
The stopwatch function is handy, but only for gas tightness tests at work :o)
It must be said I do like my Silva ADC altimeter. Very good for navigating as you say. I like the fact it is ‘free-standing’ as it were and I don’t have to keep fighting sleeves, gloves etc. to read it. The thermometer is also handy as it doesn’t tell me how warm (or not) my wrist is.
I particularly like the anemometer though, very good for those ‘look it’s gusting to at least 50mph and my Lightwave is still standing’ moments ;-)
I keep forgetting to take that Silva tricorder with me. It would be handy to know how far into three figures the windspeed goes before my ‘Comp starts rattling…
Ach, I nearly kept a straight face there :o)
Let me know as I fly past…
I suppose at least I’ll be able to sit up whilst airborne :-)
Seriously though I will have to try a Comp at some point as 50mph in the Beacons last week did keep me awake some of the night. The tent wasn’t going any where, it was simply that the sides kept billowing about, as I beleive you have highlighted! It was like being on an airbed of 1970’s vintage. At least I only paid c. £100 for the tent. That’s probably why I like it so much.
Nothing’s perfect, that’s the trouble.
Some clever bugger will come up with the perfect 800g one-person four-season mountain tent at some point.
Until then we’ll just have to bear the wee niggles of each of the current contenders.
Mind you, when the miracle tent comes out, I bet it’s in a rubbish colour…
I quite like green :-)
I have both flavours :o)
Does that mean you have a spare ;-)
Nah, one for casual, one for best :o)
I’m a big fan of the “Guess the Current Wind Speed” or “Guess the Ambient Temperature” competitions.
Several of the regular walking lot are getting really, really good at them :)
A friend of mine had a Laser Comp remain standing in South America a couple of years back when other lesser tents were trashed.
I’ve yet to find out… but soon… soon…
It’s the flexibility that saves it.
In fact, both physically and in it’s usability. It’s definitely not perfect though.
Imagine a twin poled free standing ‘comp?
Hmmm… yeah… 1.2 kilos maybe?
Nice.
Roomier too. But that’s a whole other discussion ;)
That MSR Hubba HP was sooooo close.
Someone will nail it at some point.
You should have put your spare socks over your hands :-)
You catch the fabric when you’re scrambling :o)