‘Last March I have been to Swedish Sapmi (=Lapland), once more. We have been cross-country skiing for 10-days. Most of the time we made a campsite, and from time to time we have been using mountain huts. This time the weather was sunnier, but also colder then 2 years ago.

I have been using my Braemar Ventile Smock most of the time. It performed very well in the cold, with temperatures of -20°C without windchill. The fabric stayed supple (it was as flexible as in warmer conditions). I have been using the smock as a kind of windstopper and we have had some severe winds. In this area there is always wind and no protection.

The cargo-pocket is great to put some extra mittens or a hat.

At night the smock was used as a pillow. 

As we where doing some physical exercise, it was great to regulate the temperature as sweat  evaporated easily.

Really splendid piece of kit’

Nicholas

Odlo Longsleeve half zip Windproof

15th May, on a cold and breezy Sunday, and a hardy group of mountain bikers meet for a strenous ride around the Ladder Hills to the North of Corgarff.

I had chosen to wear my new Odlo windproof baselayer due to the wind, but didn’t want the extra warmth of my cycling jacket. The baselayer is made of 2 fabrics. Windprotection 3L on the front of the body & sleeves, with a highly wicking,  fine pique material on the rear of the body and sleeves. Odlo recommend the 3L tops for any sport in which the wearer is moving forwards at speed i.e running/cycling/Nordic skiing. Thankfully I’d made the right choice, as the red and sweaty faces of my colleagues poked out from the collars of their waterproofs.

The weather as I mentioned earlier was cool and breezy, and as the ride progressed we were caught in intermittent showers. Luckily due to the windproof front of my top, I could carry on cycling without having to overheat in a jacket. The highly wicking fabric meant that at the end of a long pedal uphill, I wasn’t chilled by perspiration on my skin. The material also dries very quickly, so the showers did not pose a problem.

I have worn the Odlo windproof over the last few months, and it has exceeded my expectations of what a baselayer can do, as well as reducing the need to layer up on cool, windy days. All in all, a fantastic piece of innovation.

Push hard,

John Green

If you see see tired looking heavily laden walkers in the Highlands in the next few weeks they are likely to be TGO Challengers.

The TGO Challenge is a long distance walk, for up to 300 participants, across the Highlands of Scotland which has taken place every May since 1980. It was the brainchild of the well-known writer and mountaineer, Hamish Brown.

Challengers, as the participants are known,  can take either high or low routes within a maximum of 15 days.

There are 12 permitted start points on the west coast and North and South limits on the East Coast.

We see many Challengers in Aboyne  and at Hilltrek  we offer a cup of tea and a seat for weary feet. 

Several customers are Challengers in fact several years ago a customer from Belgium popped in to buy a Paramo jacket before starting the challenge.

This year the TGO Challenge started on 13th May and you can actually track the rapid progress of some of the Challengers on a section of the TGO Challenge website.

 The TGO Challenge is sponsored by TGO, the walkers’ magazine, Rab, the outdoor equipment specialist, and the adventure trekking company Himalayan Kingdoms.

For more information see the TGO Challenge Website

Paramo introduced new lightweight pull on waterproof Quito trousers recently and  last weekend I had the first opportunity to test them on a walking trip in Torridon in North West Scotland.

Saturday on Bein Alligin was sunny and windy and the new Quito trousers stayed in the bottom of my rucksack.

On the second day on Corbett Sgurr Mhor just south of Beinn Eighe the weather was  different  -very windy, warm and thunder showers.

We started the walk along the track passing the SMC Ling Hut in sunshine in 17 degrees and slowly climbed the slopes to the summit plateau. Then the thundery rain showers started and I pulled on the Quito Trousers over my light walking trousers.

Quito Trousers are designed to be pulled on without removing your boots. Each leg is zipped open, the trousers held up by a waist belt while each leg is zipped up. Difficult to do in a strong wind as I found out but it helps when the stud at the ankle is fastened. During the wind blown rain the Quito’s kept me perfectly dry and despite working hard walking through rough terrain I did not overheat.

Luckily on reaching the summit the rain stopped , the sun came out and I took the trousers off. This is done by zipping up from the bottom of each leg, unfastening the ankle stud and then removing the waist belt. This was all done when I was standing up without taking my boots off.

Next day in the same conditions I had to use the Quito’s on another nearby Corbett and by then I had mastered quickly putting them on and taking them off as the weather changed.

My first impression of Quito Trousers was very good. It took some time to master putting on the trousers and taking them off, especially in wind but so much easier and faster than conventional overtrousers.

They compare favourably to  lightweight Velez Adventure Trousers being very slightly heavier at 425g compared with 414g but much more versatile. Velez Adventure Trousers have slighly heavier fabric in heavy wear areas which make them more robust. They are both priced at £145.

Quito Trousers are only available at Paramo Partners such as Hilltrek and directly from Páramo.

The full specification is as follows:

• Innovative and simple “zip off” construction allows trousers to be put on or taken off speedily, without taking one’s feet off the ground or sitting down.
• Full-length side zips with poppered internal storm flaps allow variable ventilation.
• 2 handwarming pockets at hips.
• Adjustable webbing belt in waistband tunnel, with hook and loop tabs to secure.
• Articulated knees enable unrestricted movement.
• Contoured shape minimises fabric bulk and flap.
• Ideal to put on quickly over shorts or light trousers or can be worn next to the skin.
• Constructed from Nikwax Analogy Light fabric ensuring low bulk with minimum weight.

For more details of the walk see http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/sgorr-nan-lochan-uaine.shtml

Earlier in the year we sponsored the Active Schools cross country series in Aboyne. Recently John presented the prizes to the winners of the Primary Schools races.

Comment from 

“The Active Schools cross country series in Aboyne was aimed at engaging children in the local community in a fun, competitive, outdoor, and affordable sport which can take place on their doorstep. The series also encourage individual development as pupils were given their individual times, in their appropriate age groups, which enabled them to have a goal for each race in the series. The series was well attended with 45 primary and 14 secondary pupils, highlighting some excellent runners in the area.

These races prepared the youngsters for some other local events such as Run Balmoral in which Braemar Primary won the small schools trophy this year.

The series was thoroughly enjoyed by both children who participated and parents who helped out, therefore we will definitely be hosting some more in the future to help develop this local activity”

To find out more about the Active Schools Program and you want to get involved see Sports Scotland