Mountaineering Boots: is the first of a series of beginners guides covering the basic gear you need if you starting to discover the outdoors for the first time. Other guides will include choosing hiking boots, buying a first stove, sleeping bag and tent. Buying your first pair of mountaineering boots (or, for that matter, hiking […]
Ten essential (and cheap) treats to pack for big expeditions
How make high altitude mountaineering (or even just hiking in the backwoods) just a little more luxurious When I was last in Nepal my trip there was made a lot easier by having some creature comforts that were really small and light. They were also things that one doesn’t usually find in the high-priced gear […]
Mt Mera – list of gear
Excuse the list format but I thought I’d cut and paste from a gear list a friend drew up for an expedition we undertook with small group from the Exploration Society of Southern Africa (of which we are both members) in 2003 to Mount Mera (6475m), one of the highest of the “trekking peaks” in […]
Top Tips for Buying Cheaper Gear.
Shop During Sales – Doh! It’s so obvious why am I even saying this here. Well, I’ve managed to cut 40% to 50% from the price of most of my gear by waiting for sales to come around. Goods that I’ve bought on sale include top bands like a Marmot Liquid Steel Jacket, Marmot Oracle […]
Climbing Aconcagua – Trip report
Climbing Aconcagua is a duanting undertaking. Posted here is a trip report by John Black, an equipment buyer for Cape Union Mart, a chain of South African hiking and outdoor gear stores that provide reasonably priced gear under the K-Way brand. I own and use some of their gear, which may not be the lightest […]