Equipment / Gear Reviews - (5) Scarpa Thunder rock climbing shoe

This was my very first purchase following on from my first rock climb at Dalkey quarry, I discovered that if I wanted to progress and do some more challenging climbs I would have to invest in a proper pair of rock climbing shoes.

I tried my best to read up on the internet about the best pair of shoes to buy, lace ups versus velcro, half size too small, two sizes too small etc. There is a raft of information out there and I was a little unprepared for the task of going into the shop and trying a pair on, after all how will I know which ones are right for me?

The first element I can comment on is the price, just short of €95 euro for the pair. There are cheaper options out there but these are few and far between, also the brand Scarpa is well known to me so it had a bearing on my choice.

I chose a pair approx a half size smaller for my foot on advice from some members in my mountaineering club, other advice (such as the net) suggest the tighter the better, this may be true but if they are so tight that they restrict blood flow then there will be no fun in it whatsoever so for some sound advice, go a half size for beginners.

A major benefit I found with these shoes (although I have to admit I did not do this on purpose) is the carrying loops on the back of the shoe, these allow you to hook a Carabiner onto the shoe for attaching to your harness for the sometimes long walk back to your gear (This will make sense to climbers) The main advantage of these however that I love is it makes it so much easier to put the shoes on, just grab a hold of the loops and pull.

The friction that I noticed compared to the runners I had been using was almost unbelievable. I still sometimes wonder just how the smooth sole sticks to the rock but all I know is it works and the performance is super. It has been mentioned to me that the soles are not as flexible as shoes from more experienced climbers, this is the case but in all honesty I am so way off that stage yet so for now the Scarpa Thunder will do me fine

Rating 4 out of 5

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.

Equipment / Gear Reviews - (1) Garmin eTrex H GPS

I originally got this GPS for Geocaching and I will be honest and say my decision was driven by my budget. I didn't want to spend hundreds of Euro on a GPS, my knowledge of GPS technology was very basic at that time. The Garmin was the cheapest solution at the time but from my experiences of it so far it was a bargain. The units vary greatly in price but I paid around €90 for mine which is about the cheapest model available. What I like most about the eTrex H is its size and weight. It barely takes up any space in the pocket or backpack so it is not at all cumbersome. Another reason I like it is its durability. It has a waterproof rating which means should you drop it into a puddle or need to use it in the rain it should be OK. Apparently the unit will float in water but I am not brave enough to try that out just yet!

One drawback that others have pointed out to me (although I myself do not see it as a problem) is that the unit does not display in colour. The unit accepts 2 x AA batteries, depending on the quality of the batteries you should get at least a full days use (assuming you use it all day long to record a route) but if you switch the unit on and off then you will get much longer from a set. The eTrex H does not seem to like rechargeable batteries for some reason, they will work but seem to drain very quickly so if you are going to use them perhaps have a few sets as backup just in case.

Using the GPS is very easy. There are only 5 buttons on the entire unit which has its positives and negatives. The positives are that it makes the unit easy to use, there are not a million buttons for different functions, its almost a one button for forwards and yes commands, one for return and two for up and down functions. It is a very easy unit to live with. However the simplistic configuration also has a downside, say you want to input a coordinate in the field you have to individually scroll between numbers to get your coordinates. and for standard coordinates in Ireland that means 14 numbers have to be entered. This is not a terribly big deal but nevertheless it is still a downside. Also, you are not provided with a data interface cable with the unit meaning until you get one you will have to insert all the coordinates you wish to store on the unit. For those Geocachers amongst us you will know that will soon become boring. The good news however is that the interface cables are very cheap if bought on-line.

It is possible to store up to 500 waypoints on your GPS. For me that translates into almost half of the Mountain summits in Ireland can be stored on my GPS at any one time. I bought myself an Interface cable on-line to use with the GPS, you will also have to download some software that will enable you to upload and download information to your GPS but there are some excellent software packages out there free of charge. I am currently using EasyGPS and find it works well for my needs. If you are a Geocacher then you probably already know you can send coordinates directly to your GPS from the Geocaching website.

Where the unit falls down a little for me is you only have the ability to store one route. I like to plan my walks in the mountains but with this unit you can only store one at a time. Its a small detail but if you want to build an escape route into your walk then you will need to bring hand written notes of the coordinates and input these along the way. Its minor but nevertheless a drawback.

Perhaps the most useful feature is the ability to switch between grid formats. This means you can setup the device to different methods of displaying coordinates (of which there are many) and it can also be set to give you a map grid reference depending on which country you are in. The Irish Grid Reference system is included. Should I ever get lost I can easily check my position on the GPS, translate that back to the map and work out where to go from there. This is no substitute for a map and a compass but used in tandem can be a life saver, especially in Ireland where the weather can come down on you very quickly leaving you disorientated. There have been a few occasions where I have used the GPS to confirm my position when changing routes so it has its uses.

Overall I find this unit more than adequate for my needs. Yes there are better, more accurate GPS units out there that even have mapping software. However I find using this unit along with a paper map and a compass is a good combination for safety. Batteries can always run out, electronic items can malfunction, maps can blow away and compasses can crack so to rely on one is risky. I like this GPS and cannot see myself changing to a different unit any time soon. It has so far found every Geocache I have looked for and hasn't failed to work when needed. Without having used other GPS units I find it hard to give this item a rating but I think 3.5 out of 5 reflects fairly upon it.

Positives:

Inexpensive compared to other GPS receivers

Small & Lightweights, not much heavier than a mobile phone

Accuracy to within a few metres depending on overgrowth

Drawbacks:

No mapping for terrain / streets available on this model

No numeric digits on the device making inputting of coordinates in the field time consuming

You do not get a data interface cable to connect to your PC meaning you need to buy one if you wish to do use the unit with your computer

New Shoes

My first pair of rock climbing shoes. I couldn't help myself from buying these less than 24 hours after my first rock climb was over. I am getting the feeling that at €95 this will be some of the cheapest piece of equipment I will be getting for my new hobby.

Nevertheless I am chuffed to have finally made a start and cannot wait to get out there again, only this time properly kitted out for the task at hand. I will have to wait a couple of weeks however as next week is Laura' birthday and I do not want to miss that. So the 16th June will be my next foray into Dalkey Quarry

Introduction to rock climbing

I have been a member of Club Cualann since September 2009 and since then have been trying to go out rock climbing with them for the first time. I think it is something I would love but lack a little bit of confidence and motivations to actually say right, I am going tonight.

Last night however (June 2nd) and the night before my 24th birthday I finally managed to get out with the climbers and complete my first climb. The exhilaration when I got to the top of the rock was unbelievable. I am a complete novice to the sport, they do not come much greener than me but I threw myself into the challenge full on. Jim, who has been climbing for years and whom I know from several hillwalking excursions with the club was my teacher on the night and I could not have asked for a better one. Knowing as little as I do I hadn't even invested in climbing shoes so turned up wearing my gym runners, not ideal but the best of a bad lot for the task. Luckily too Jim has all the equipment and patience needed with a greenhorn and started at the very beginning with me.

The harness is something that will take getting used to, that is a tight fit! We meandered our way over to the starting point in Dalkey quarry, a rock face called Eliminate A, a grade VD*** (v diff which is an entry grade for most beginners) It took a while before we actually got into the climbing but I learned by watching Jim lead and Julie seconding an invaluable insight into the world of rock climbing. Eventually I had my chance and Row (another group member) showed me the ropes (literally) on how to tie the figure of eight knot.

This was very much a throw you into the deep end type of climbing but I relished the challenge and set off eagerly up the rock face feeling confident. The only difficult element is about half way up the wall, you are standing on a narrow ledge, hands above your head on some other narrow holds and you must get your feet into the area where your hands are. This was where I had the most difficulty, I try to drag myself up using upper body strength when poise and delicate moves are all that is required, I am sure I will learn this as time goes on. It took me less than ten minutes to climb the wall but I felt ecstatic when I got above the crux and onto the ledge above where Jim and Julie were waiting.

My first rock climb was complete and I am now hooked

First Carrauntoohil climb

On the 25th June 2010 I will be joining a group of guys from England who are doing the five peaks challenge for charity, the hard part being they have to do all five in forty eight hours. The challenge consists of the five highest peaks in Ireland, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I know one of the guys (Scott) from our trip together in Nepal and it was there he told me about his five peaks challenge. He asked if I would be interested in leading them up Carrauntoohil as they are unfamiliar with the mountain themselves.

I am not a mountain leader (yet) but I instantly decided that it is something I wanted to do, I had to wait to confirm with Scott however as the same old doubts in my mind haunted me for a few weeks, what happens if we get lost? you have never been there yourself so what makes you think you can lead a group? I need to learn to have more confidence in my own abilities. Once I decide on a course of action however my confidence returns and I commit to it whole heartedly. Now I am in the planning phase where I will plan the route, route card, backup route on the GPS (just in case) and any other prudent safety measures.

I am excited about the challenge of climbing Ireland's highest mountain, it is something I have wanted to do for over a year now and finally I am going to do it. I have been left with the task of picking the best route for us up and down the mountain, the challenge being to get up and down as quickly as possible for the guys and as safely as possible for all of us. This is the first of their five peaks and so problems or setbacks here could jeopardise their entire effort. This will also be their longest summit, I estimate a six hour round trip.

The route I have chosen is the Caher route (follow link for more info) which I think will be the safest and easiest choice. I think it best to avoid the Devils ladder route which has become badly eroded and as a result dangerous, as well as the the Brother O' Shea's Gully route which requires some scrambling in places. As a side bonus we will also summit Caher, Ireland's third highest mountain so that is another two mountains to tick off the list.

Come back soon for more information and an update on the climb.

Laura & James climbing mountains

On the 23rd January 2010 Laura completed her first mountain climb, the modest yet very popular Great Sugar Loaf in Co. Wicklow. At just over 500m it is an average size peak, I think it stands at the 494th highest mountain in Ireland, but to get to the top for her was a fantastic achievement. Only seven months prior to that it had also been my first mountain summit and I knew then I would be hooked forever. It had been a harder climb up than I had been expecting, I had been feeling cocky and thought I would fly up to the top. I even went out dressed in a pair of jeans such was my ignorance to the mountaineering lifestyle. I try to remind Laura that the first one is the hardest, that they do get easier...rightly too she did not believe me.

Some time had passed and I thought she no longer wanted to come hillwalking with me. We planned to go out a couple of times but with my training for Nepal I guess the opportunity passed us by. I think it is more a confidence issue than anything else, she lacks confidence in her own ability and tells herself that she cannot do it, but then on the 22nd May we summited her second Irish mountain. Prince William's Seat on the Wicklow / Dublin border. It stands at 555m (a fact I neglected to mention to Laura before we set off that morning).

The heat of the day did little to help our efforts, it was approximately 23 degrees and felt every bit of it, this heat always makes hillwalking more difficult. We took our time however, I knew she could make it and make it we did, a few "I hate you's" were thrown into the mix but we got there. As is often the case once you get to the top of the mountain and see the panorama of views surrounding you, forgetfulness takes over and the ordeal it took to get there in the first place is a distant memory.

The views in all directions around us were breathtaking, on one side you have the Wicklow mountains and on the other you are overlooking Dublin and the Irish sea. The picture below shows Laura at the Price William's Seat trig pillar at 555m, in the background over her left shoulder is the previously conquered Sugar Loaf at 501m. Pushing your limits is something that at the time can seem impossible but afterwards so gratifying. I know Laura will agree with me.

Onward and upwards to our next mountain top....

Mission Everest - Part 1 - Trekking in Nepal

It has been my ambition now for some time to one day summit the world's highest peak. It is very much so a long term goal of mine for a few reason.

First reason being financial, the money involved in such an undertaking is colossal (at least for me). It is estimated to cost somewhere between £40,000 and £60,000 for an attempt on Everest depending on who you choose to go with. This has fuelled debate that Everest has become a peak for the rich only. This aside I still want to go there, it will require minding the pennies but I am determined not to let that be a stumbling block on my mission to Everest.

Second reason being experience, or lack thereof. I want to do it the correct way, the proper way and that means training. I want to climb some smaller but just as challenging peaks before I try to climb Everest. I want to go to Everest with the best possible chance of success and I believe that comes with the right preparation. I have been trying to decide what my route to Everest will be, which peaks will I try first before signing up for an Everest expedition. The natural starting place for me was the trek, Yes I know it is not a peak but it certainly gave me an idea of what the country is like. I wanted to look back in 10, twenty years and say I did it the right way and for me that meant starting at Base Camp, looking up at the mountain and rubbing noses with it.

Like any mammoth undertaking such as this, each step is difficult but necessary to achieve your goals. At time while trekking in the Khumbu region I thought to myself how hard it was, how difficult I was finding it and how was I ever going to be able to climb Everest when I can barely get to Kala Patthar. But this is often the case, each stage is difficult at the time but by pushing it on, by going that little bit extra you set yourself up for success. Perhaps my favourite quote which comes from my hero Bear Grylls (incidentally he has summitted Everest) best emphasises my point.

"The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is so often just simply that little word - extra. And for me, I had always grown up with the belief that if someone succeeds it is because they are brilliant or talented or just better than me…and the more of these words I heard the smaller I always felt! But the truth is often very different…and for me to learn that ordinary me can achieve something extra-ordinary by giving that little bit extra, when everyone else gives up, meant the world to me and I really clung to it…" Bear Grylls

Read more about my trek in Nepal by clicking here.

***

The plan at the moment looks a little something like this:

• Mont Blanc, France (4807m)
• Aconcagua, Argentina (6954m) - highest mountain outside of the Himalayas
• Ama Dablam, Nepal (6812m)
• Cho Oyu, Nepal (8201m)
• Mt. Everest, Nepal (8848m)

Everest Base Camp Trek: Cost

Calculating the cost of this trip was not easy. I had never been on a trekking holiday, never even been out hiking before I booked this trip so it was all completely new to me. Not only was there the cost I paid for the trip but there were costs associated with flights to and from London, overnight hotel in London, clothing and equipment, spending money, vaccinations, etc. Very often we forget to look at the secondary costs of such trips so before you book your trek in Nepal (or any regions for that matter) try to work out the total expected cost, and be realistic.

When all the costs have been added up I spend nearly €4,500 on total on this trip since the 9th June 2009 when I first booked it. For that cost however I have gained some irreplaceable memories, a hobby I absolutely love and I have met some amazing people, money well spent? absolutely yes.

Lets assume you are booking this trek like I did, no past experience of trekking and therefore no gear or equipment to speak of.

Trip cost €1,719.62 - incl all credit card surcharges, carbon offset donations etc.

Travel insurance €48.57 (available with the booking company but I got mine separately with a different company, just to save some money)

***

My equipment for the trek (See Blog entry on Gear and Equipment for more details) cost me €1,350.00 approximately, considering I had no gear whatsoever I think I did quite well. If I was to book another trek in the future I would have most of this stuff to use for that.

***

Spending money for this trip came to about €850.00 without buying anything to bring home. The spending money did admittedly include visa into Nepal, tipping of porters, guides, an unexpected helicopter trip as well as living costs for the duration of the trek, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks etc. Flights to and from London only cost me €65.00 and hotel in London for one night was €55.00. Lastly the medical vaccinations were €190.00.

***

I hope this information will leave you with a better understanding of the costs involved with such a trip, always make sure you understand there will be extras before committing yourself to something like this but by all means do not let it be a stumbling block either. This has and will be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

My health & fitness challenge - The background story

I only wish I started this Blog a year and a half ago when I began my life changing health and fitness regime, I fear now I have long since forgotten vital details of just how hard it was. It began in October 2008, I reached that moment where I realised I was unhappy with myself, the path my life was following and decided enough was enough, time to make changes and fast. It was at that time that I quit smoking, got myself a tattoo and joined my local gym all within a few weeks. As change goes it was radical enough for me at the time. In an attempt to help quit the cigarettes I booked myself a hypnotherapy session, however me being the impatient person that I am I was not willing to wait another two weeks until the appointment to get started so I quit myself, I did get the hypnosis done also but I believe I had done a lot of the hard work before then.

Ironically I quit cigarettes and got a tattoo within a few days of one another, the irony being my tattoo is Latin, the translation meaning "Never give up". See post on tattoo for more info on that. That time was a real eye opener for me, I had been wasting my life and allowed myself to get into a cycle of not caring about myself, my health or my happiness. Time for that to change. In hindsight I also think I needed a hobby, you get stuck in a routine of not doing anything, watching tv, eating and before you know it the months and years have started to pass by. I was very much in need of changing that. I am a big believer in the philosophy that things happen for a reason, I believe the timing of all this coinciding was for a reason.

I am excellent at following instructions, I did not think of myself as a pioneer or a leader until recently. In October 2008 I was willing to be told this is what you have to do now go do it. When I joined the gym I wanted to get some preparation work done myself so that when I met my instructor I had a little fitness. This was a complete waste of time however as he managed to wear me out in ten minutes of moderate exercise. I imagine the job of a fitness instructor is very rewarding and also very frustrating at times, you cannot do the work for people and so often you hear about people joining the gym in January, go for a few weeks and then never go back. Most gyms do there business in January (a very good reason why you will never get a good deal from a gym in January). I was determined however not to be one of those people, I made a promise to myself that I would be at 13 to 13.5 stone or approx 85kg's at some time in 2009.

My starting weight in October 2008 was 16 stone or 102kg's approximately. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of myself before I began, that would have been useful but I was afraid of failure I guess. I just wanted to go about my exercise and not make a big deal about it then. I prefer to do rather than talk about it. Over the course of the next six months I worked tirelessly to achieve my goals. Meeting with Tylot (gym instructor) every 4-6 weeks or so to change my programme so as to ensure I was challenging myself the whole time. By June 2009 I was at my target weight of 85kg's but by then I was unstoppable. I had become so obsessed with health and fitness that I could not stop, ease off and just relax a little. I think when you come from a position of being overweight, to being at your target you suddenly think to yourself, what do I do now? That is when the idea for the trek came along, I wanted something to train for, something to focus all my energy on from that time, It was meant to happen.

If you remember I said earlier that I think things happen for a reason? I believe that all this time I was being led to Everest. My obsession is now on getting to the top of the world, it does not have to be today, tomorrow or even next year but over the next 10-15 years I want to be standing on top of that mountain thinking what next.

Recipes - Fish pie

James' fish pie

I tend not to keep account of exact quantities for recipes but add or reduce as I see fit (apologies for this) but I can give an estimate of the quantities for those that prefer a more structured approach.

Recipe below is a gluten, dairy and yeast free recipe that I have adapted from various other chef's as a result of Laura' dietary requirements. Proof that good food does not have to taste bad

Ingredients:

• 2 Salmon fillets
• 2 Smoked Coley fillets
• 2 Cod fillets
• 1 cup (approx) frozen King prawns (make sure these do not require defrosting)
• Potatoes (approx 3-4 good size potatoes)
• 3-4 Boiled eggs (sliced)
• 1 Egg (for brushing over potato)
• 1/2 litre Milk (I use soya milk but any milk will do)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Preheat the milk in a saucepan until simmering
• Meanwhile cut the fish into bite size chunks
• In another saucepan add pealed and quartered potatoes to boiling water for approx 20 minutes or until cooked
• Add fish to the simmering milk and leave for approx 10 minutes until cooked through
• Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
• When fish is nearly cooked add frozen prawns, these only need a few minutes to cook.
• Add frozen peas to the fish mixture, alternatively add any other vegetables you wish at this stage
• When the prawns and peas have been cooked through transfer the mixture to a casserole dish (a lasagne dish will do fine if you do not have a casserole dish) Keep back some of the fishy broth mixture if you think it will be too wet
• Place the sliced boiled eggs over the mixture in the dish
• Mash the potatoes, adding butter or milk to make creamy mashed potatoes. I add a whisked egg white to the potatoes to make them nice and frothy, finally spread the mashed potato evenly over the mixture and use a fork to even out
• Lightly beat an egg and brush over the mash potato to make a nice golden topping to the fish pie
• Place in the oven for 20 minutes (approx) or until golden brown on top

Serves 3-4