Author Archives: markswalkingblog

A Quick Backpack on Kinder

Posted on April 16, 2017 by markswalkingblog

My first backpack of the year was the last weekend in March.  I had been watching the weather forecast for this week and it looked like it was going to be a cracker. Beautiful spring weather but cold at night. … Continue reading →

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Long term review of the Hi-Tec Trek Plus

Posted on December 10, 2016 by markswalkingblog

It’s a year since I was contacted by Hi-Tec to review their activity tracker or fitness band as they are often called. I must admit to be guilty of not writing this one up with the excuse that work & … Continue reading →

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Howden Moors and Barrow Stones

Posted on September 5, 2016 by markswalkingblog

This was a day walk back in mid July after an overnight in the camper van. I arrived early to park at one of the free car parks south of the main pay & display at Fairholmes at the far … Continue reading →

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Rosthwaite to Coniston

Posted on August 30, 2016 by markswalkingblog

I’ve not really been paying attention to my blog of late and I’m now playing catch up. This trip goes back to May and follows on from a long weekend with Mary and Meg our Labrador pup in our campervan … Continue reading →

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Review of 2016 ZPacks Duplex Tent

Posted on June 12, 2016 by markswalkingblog

Made of Cuben fibre and weighing just under 700g (1.5lbs), excluding pegs for a true two person shelter, the Duplex has to been one of the lightest if not the lightest on the market.  Whilst not cheap, if you value quality … Continue reading →

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A short trip around Ingleborough

Posted on April 9, 2016 by markswalkingblog

I have found more and more that work gets in the way of weekend trips. The time I finish often late on a Friday I’m often too knackered to go away for the weekend, particularly in the winter period when … Continue reading →

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Extending the season for Treking sandals

Posted on December 13, 2015 by markswalkingblog

My introduction to the use of Treking sandals for backpacking and walking in the mountains was after  watching Chris Townsend use them ploughing through the mud and bogs of the Central fells when I accompanied him and Terry Abraham on … Continue reading →

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Back in my stride

Posted on November 22, 2015 by markswalkingblog

My last trip to the Lake District, resulting in injury to both my left knee and right foot. I rather overdid it and it didn’t help going down near vertical scree slopes on Great Gable. The next day after wild camping … Continue reading →

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Custom gear comparison table

Posted on October 18, 2015 by markswalkingblog

I got a DM on my Twitter account  today from a fellow backpacker and wild camper asking if I had carried out a comparison of WM Summerlite, and the Panyam 600 and Teneqa 700 sleeping bags  from Cumulus.I hadn’t got … Continue reading →

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Gear Comparison Tables

Posted on October 5, 2015 by markswalkingblog

Back in 2011, I started to put together a few  gear comparison tables  in a systematic way to help me select the right gear to lighten my base weight.  Work and at the time my wife’s illness meant that for … Continue reading →

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