Equipment / Gear Reviews - (4) The New EastWest Maps - any good?

I have bought all three of the EastWest maps available at the moment, 'Wicklow Mountains West', 'Lugnaquillia & Glendalough' and 'The Dublin & North Wicklow Mountains' at a cost of €9.95 each. This is slightly more expensive than the equivalent Discovery Series OS maps which retail at €8.60 each but you do get a whole lot more map for your money. On a recent walk with my Hillwalking club I took both versions along for a test run and not being familiar with the route we were taking that day it was an ideal experiment.

Firstly the level of detail presented on the EW maps is impressive, the scale of 1:30,000 allows for a lot more detail than the 1:50,000 scale on the OS maps, however to balance the argument most compass roamers do not have a 1:30,000 scale making route planning, distance measuring etc. difficult. Yes you can get roamers at 1:30,000.

The EW maps are aimed more at outdoor enthusiasts than general mapping and the inclusion of many well known trails at last mapped is a welcome sight, often times when route planning from home in unfamiliar surroundings such information is very useful. Yes the OS maps have some trails marked on them but the level of detail on the EW maps is nothing short of miraculous. A nice touch is naming some of the more popular trails such as the popular Zig-Zags trail when approaching Lugnaquillia.

Another feature that I like is the up to date inclusion of forestry and associated trails. Often when walking you see a forest that is not on the map or vice versa, of course one should not be relying on these features for navigation purposes but for the recreational user this information is useful. The most beneficial element of the EW maps I have found is the small 'p' markers on the maps, referring to a small roadside lay-by for parking. Again for route planning this is extremely useful information and a big advantage over the OS maps as parking is a key issue for hill walkers and walkers alike.

So much effort, time and energy has clearly been expended in preparing the EW maps, features such as Cliffs, Crags, Scree, Rocky areas, Sandpits, Peat hags, Turf cuttings, Gorse and Undergrowth (to name but a few) have all been clearly and separately marked on the map. I am a nerd when it comes to maps and the more information presented to me the better, I love to sit down and look for interesting features, places of historical importance or natural beauty and plan on going there on a walk.

I do prefer however to have the OS map in my pocket on a day's hillwalking. While the EW maps are on water resistant paper I still feel they will succumb to a truly great Irish soaking and disintegrate accordingly, time will tell.

Overall I love the EW maps, they have all the information and more that I could possibly want and are clear and easy to read. I think I will still be using my OS maps for navigation purposes but I will certainly have the EW map beside me at home when planning the routes, spotting features etc.

Excellent maps and worth every penny

Rating 4.5 our of 5

Carrauntoohil - High times

I took on Carrauntoohil on the 25th June 2010 leading a group from the UK who were doing the five peaks challenge and attempting to do so within forty eight hours. Scott I had met while in Nepal where he first mooted this challenge to me and asked if I would like to do Carrauntoohil with them. I had never been up here before but I never let that stop me from exploring new horizons. Amongst the group of six walkers I was the only one with map and compass skills so I decided (in advance) on a route via Caher as I have heard the Devils ladder route has become quite badly eroded in recent times. I also had some selfish reasons in choosing this route as I wanted to tick a few more peaks off my list at the same time. (See summit bagging post)

We started at V 772 871 at the gate to the Hydro track. This track is a steep and punishing start having just jumped out of the car but it quickly warms the legs. Mercifully after maybe ten minutes of walking the track levels off as it turns South at approx V 777 868. The track continues with Skregbeg (573m) and Skregmore (848m) on your left hand side before opening up at Lough Eighter and revealing the full view of Beenkeragh, Carrauntoohil and Caher (assuming the weather is clear that is)

After another hop over a locked gate we crossed a flat marshy section of ground before climbing onto the spur that would lead us directly up Caher. We got onto the spur at approx V 776 857 before following it south-east all the way to Caher West top at V 789 840. The last 500m of the spur is steep but thankfully the ground is quite good so progress should not be hindered. By the time we got to the first of the three Caher summits we were dipping in and out of the clouds. The fall away from the West top when heading for Caher in the clouds can be a little worrying if unsure of your bearings so care is definitely needed, too far to the left and the ground falls away very steeply. The best approach would be to keep well to the right, we were fortunate however, just as I took a safe bearing the cloud cleared just enough for me to get an eyeshot of our target, a small gap in the wall, which seemed to settle the nerves of my fellow hikers.

The walk to Caher from the West top is quick, a small amount of uphill climbing remains before the third highest summit in Ireland at 1 metre above 1000m. The small cairn at V 792 838 is all that marks the top and as we were under some time pressure we did not hand around long either. The group had a tight maximum six hour full round trip which in normal circumstances would be fine, unfortunately one of the group hurt his leg on the final climb up Caher which changed the game plan. We had been on course for a five hour round trip before the unfortunate accident, luckily the injury was not too bad and he was able to use my walking pole as a support.

Crossing the Caher ridge to Carrauntoohil was fantastic, some of the scenery that magically appeared from the clouds was breathtaking, I took several opportunities to stop and get some pictures. There is a very noticeable track that leads across the ridge which makes navigation a lot easier. We were practically on the summit before we could see the cross marking it at V 803 844, the cloud and wind had really picked up during the intervening time, so much so that we only took a few moments to take a few pictures, recharge with energy snacks and took off via the same route home. It was three and a half hours from the car to the top but it was nearly all downhill on the way back meaning we took two hours to get back down, a very respectable five and a half hour round trip and a good start to the five peaks challenge for the other guys.

Summit bagging - the concept

The blog started long after I began climbing mountains in Ireland and so to catch up there is an element of looking back on mountains long since bagged in an effort to remember clearly the experience of same. Simply put I do not want to climb them again just for a fresh input for the blog.

Not long after I climbed my first mountain I came across the website MountainViews which introduced to me the list system, a system whereby all 1054 mountains in this country are represented within sub heading list. There are 8 separate lists located on the website as follows:

• 100 local
• County
• 100 rated
• 100 highest
• 600m
• 500m
• 150m

Clearly there will be an overlap on some of these lists but nevertheless the format that they are laid out in allows you to focus on one at a time, a much more manageable feat than trying to plan for all 1054.

Why bother? It is a question I have asked myself many times, the simple answer is I like order, I like having a goal in life and so I answer why not. Another view I have is that I enjoy the hills and mountains of this country, I love being out exploring all that this island has to offer and ticking a summit off the list is just another perk of an already fulfilling pastime. Some people say that peak bagging devalues the whole point of hillwalking, I disagree with this outlook, I think it gives me the motivation to keep going, to get out and explore in the first place.

I am planning on completing these lists over a long period, I have no time scale in mind and I don't want to rush the experience. The easiest and probably quickest one will be the 100 local, meaning the 100 peaks nearest to my home in Dublin. But I look forward to completing the rest over my lifetime.

MapMyRun - James Linnane's Profile

MapMyRun - James Linnane's Profile

James & Laura' 32 counties tour - The idea

I came up with this idea just one evening sitting at home. I have a vague recollection of this event but there was once a show on TV where the contestants were attempting to drive through all 32 counties in Ireland in 24 hours, getting their picture taken at each county border sign.

Both myself and Laura love to get out and see things so I came up with the idea of seeing all of Ireland's 32 counties, getting our pictures at each border sign (as above) but also seeing something of interest in those counties. A highlight if you will. For example Co. Clare could involved the Cliff's of Moher, Antrim could involve the Giant's Causeway. We haven't sat down and actually planned anything yet but we both want to do it and look forward to it. It is a great excuse to get out and do stuff together (not that we need one) while also enhancing our cultural experiences and seeing more of our homeland.

There are (I am ashamed to admit it) several counties I have never been to but I will put this right. We have not set ourselves any time limit, nothing silly but instead want to enjoy various weekends away, seeing what Ireland has to offer without rushing the experience.

Where first? Well we are heading to Wexford for a weekend away together on the 19th of June so where better to begin. The National 1798 Rebellion visitor centre is in Wexford so that could be our highlight? We will decide when we get there.

Equipment / Gear Reviews - (3) Kingcamp Trek KS3131 "Trek 300" Sleeping Bag 3/4 Season

The main driving factor for me when choosing a sleeping bag was the cost. I did not see the point in spending a fortune on an expedition style bag for what I saw as 12 nights use and maybe a few back home. I will also hold my hands up and say I did not really do any research on sleeping bags before going. All I knew was that I needed a 3/4 season bag capable of keeping me warm in temperatures of more than or equal to -15ºC.

The obvious initial advantage is the price tag, this bag cost me €20 from e Bay. It was actually an Irish company that I bought it from so delivery was free. The technical specs are as as follows:

• Weight: 1.6kg
• Material: 190T polyester, WP & Cire outer, T/C 88/64 lining, 2 x 150g/m2 warm hollow fibre filling
• Colour: Dark blue with stuff bag

Features:

• Comfortable and durable, lightweight, carry bag included, can be used in cold climate.
• Keeps in warmth, even in damp environment.
• Mummy style so extra protection for head, neck and shoulders.
• Anti-static build-up.
• Easy to compress.
• A high quality product at a competitive price.

Has I done some more research before going on trek I would have realised that a down filled sleeping bag rather than a synthetic bag like mine would be lighter, smaller but a lot more expensive. In hindsight if I was to go again I will bring a down filled bag for those reasons. My rucksack once packed was almost a third filled with my sleeping bag.

While on trek the bag performed very well. Never once did I feel cold whilst snugly wrapped up inside of it. It is easily wrapped up once you are packing it away again. One major benefit I found is that the bag can be thrown into the wash once you return unlike a down filled bag that cannot. It is a very easy bag to live with, once inside there are zips outside and inside making it tough to get stuck. The mummy style bag along with draw cord means you can almost completely seal yourself in on the really cold nights.

Overall I found this sleeping bag was ideal for what I wanted. I do not really go camping much at home so I will not have much use for it again, it is very affordable and for 12 nights in the Himalayas (all above 2600m) it never failed to keep me warm. Most people who brought down filled bags also brought silk liners to keep the inside of the bag clean and also for additional warmth. The fact that the bag is easily washed makes a big difference.

Rating 4 out of 5

Equipment / Gear Reviews - (2) Regatta Survivor 45L Rucksack

Apologies about the picture. Those of you who are observant may have noticed the 35L sign on the front whereas I am reviewing the 45L, the only difference from the picture is the 45L so it should not make too much difference (Pedantic Pats)

I bought this bag not long before heading off to Nepal in March so I didn't have much time to field test it before the trek. I had bought a smaller Hi-Tec backpack before this one which to be fair served me well, but in recent walks in the mountains I found more and more frequently the bag was getting very tight once fully loaded. The bag was a 25L-30L capacity but I found I was really having to jam everything into it before setting off.

This backpack I bought from a reputable store (online) from the UK from whom I have bought a few items in the past. It cost 39.95GBP which equate to a little under €50 including delivery costs. That is pretty good value as comparable backpacks (not exactly the same bag) cost €30 to €40 more in the stores in Ireland. You do get the advantage however of trying them on and picking one that fits your back but when push comes to shove for me cost always matters more.

The backpack itself it very well equipped and is made from hard-wearing polyester. Nearly all backpacks at the moment boast some sort of Airmesh back which allows for ventilation and this one is no different. There is a zipped lid and a cord fastening so at least if your zips break your backpack remains closed.

One feature I was looking for that my old backpack is the built in rain cover. On some bags I had seen the covers are not built in meaning on a really windy day luminous rain covers can be seen flying around Wicklow, this one however is securely attached to my backpack and neatly tucks away.

There is a frontal storage pocket which seems to fit perfectly around my Water hydration bladder which is an added bonus, my hydration bladder has a tendency to leak so being able to keep it separate from all my other gear is an advantage.

There is a padded hip belt as well as a chest strap, these are great and keep the strain off the shoulders. I used to get pains in my shoulder after particularly long walks and since getting this backpack they have been far less severe. The chest strap helps with that. Like most modern backpacks there are straps for securing walking poles, there are 2 external sides pockets for drinks bottles, flasks etc and 2 side zipped pockets for additional items. For tightening up the entire load there are side compression straps although I have not needed those as of yet.

Some drawbacks that I have found with the backpack relates to the strap quality. The frontal straps for closing the bag and securing it around your waist was extremely fragile. Now I managed to change them easily with my old bag but nevertheless it is a quality concern.

Another down side, while small is the colour. There is some cream / white elements on the bag which after a good soaking in Nepal turned the bag a very dirty colour. One I am still cleaning. This is not a major issue but if you want to use the bag for other reason, flying, gym, weekend away etc. it makes you think again.

All in all I am very happy with this backpack, it does everything I need it to do, fits all my gear comfortable and so far at least seems to be quite robust. I give this backpack a rating of 3.5 out of 5. Some areas could be improved upon but altogether a good choice for a backpack.