In 4 weeks time I am leaving my job and going walking. Is there a better way to flush the stain of a working life out of your soul?
I’m very excited about this – it feels like a metamorphosis: One day I am a suited well-lunched professional, then a vanishing trick, and 12 days later I rematerilalise as a lean, bearded wildman.
…or something like that – there’s always the chance I shall return as a hunched, hobbling, blistered wreck of a tramp!
Either way, I will have fully walked the walk2012 route in one continuous journey.
The rest of this month is going to be spent getting my kit together and making key decisions about what I am going to carry and how I am going to do the walk. For example, B&B or camping? Easy – camping. Tent or bivvy? Not so easy, though I think the tent is going to win – all the bivvy bag reviews I have read seem to bleat on about claustrophobia and condensation being a problem. I love the idea of carrying less weight and the simplicity of a bivvy, but my tent is pretty light and easy and I think the extra room and dryness are going to win. Do you have any experience of bivvy bags or bashas? – I’d love to hear from you.
I’m also seeking advice on sleeping bags – do I have to get out the wallet and go for a down one? All views welcome.
In my search for kit I stumbled across this:
Look , it's me!
Turns out that Stan the outdoor man has made comments all over http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/
In the spirit of the still silent Olympics orgainsers I feel I need to protect my brand and would like to make it clear for the avoidance of doubt, that I am not associated in any way with Stan the outdoor man or Outdoor Megastore.
…unless they want to offer me sponsorship – in which case I will happily lift my skirts for a Rab silk liner, Petzl head torch, Laser Competition tent, Marmot down sleeping bag, and titanium mug…..!
Having recently bought a down sleeping bag (albeit at half price!) I was shocked at the difference in weight and size – they really do pack down small even for a generously proportioned sleeping bag. Certainly would be worth considering if you are going to take the tent instead of the bivvy.