Gear wasn’t on the agenda as such, but a couple of things are worthy of note.
Joycee’s bimbling along with her Kimmlite (that’s pre-OMM) 22SSL (I think?), great wee pack make in mental pink Pertex fabric. It’s dead light but with all the spot-on features you’d expect like bottle & hipfin p0ckets, low-profile harness and one oddball, and MSC compression panel that’s sewn-in at the bottom. It’s brilliant and should have been used else where. The pack suits shorties like JYC so I’ve never been able to use it. MMffff.
Also there are a Wild Roses Powerstretch jacket, TNF Dhaulagiri II GTX boots and a special edition 2011 Buff, more of which later as JYC must speak upon it. But the condemnation of Silva’s Siju headtorch was instant and absolute, piss weak light and a faulty switch that repeatedly turned itself off just as she stepped into icy patches in pitch darkness.
I had a voyage into the past as I was wearing a proper fleece (the TNF Scythe) for the first time in ages, and you know what, it was nice. Cozy, comfy and oddly cheerful too. It layered well under a shell, stayed dry and it’s perfectly ergonomically formed, no old-school boxiness here.
The grey straps evident below are the all-new coming-soon Berghaus Octans 40 adventure racing pack, and more of that shortly.
Some test kit’s come in that’s going be a talking point, first some Hoka trail shoes. Oh yes. And, a test jacket from Gore-Tex in their new super light and ultra breathable (they say) Active Shell 3-layer waterproof. The jacket it must be said is on the er, basic side, but it’ll be good to see what the fabric’s like.
My mate Richie (WHW Race winner last year) had a shot of those Hokas and raved about them. That said, I don’t think he uses them now!
They’re a shoebox full of madness!
That was my thinking exactly. Love to have a shot though. Bounce my way around a marathon.
4″ heels :o)