When you’re heading out into the mountains in the winter, it’s really important that you’re properly kitted out on your feet, with suitable boots and the right crampons to go with them. We often get asked the question, What kind of boots do I need? B1, B2 or B3? And what kind of crampons do I need, C1, C2 or C3? The answer is, it depends!
Read MoreIf you’ve been in the mountains with me, or you’re a regular blog reader, you’ll know that I am a minimalist when it comes to packing a rucksack. Whatever I am doing, from guiding in the Alps to walking in to a crag on a Rock Climbing Instructor course, I don’t want to be carrying any unnecessary weight. And that applies to my first aid kit too. Over the years I have whittled it down to the things I know are absolutely essential, and I’ve ditched everything else. But not everyone has the same philosophy. Kelvyn James is on our freelance team, and he has featured in our My Story series. He runs his own business, which includes delivering first aid courses. He has a totally different approach to his first aid kit, so we thought it would be fun and informative to do a comparison.
Read MoreAs a professional mountaineer, climbing harnesses are an essential part of my kit. Over the years I have had many different harnesses, and I currently have three that I use all the time. All of them have come a long way since the Whillans sit harness that I had when I started climbing as a teenager.
Read MoreWaterproof trousers – you either love them or hate them. If they don’t fit well, they can restrict your movement. If they seem to soak up the water rather than repelling it, you’re going to be reluctant to put them on. But if you have a pair that are well made, that fit you really well, and that keep you dry and warm, you’ll be reaching for them as soon as it starts to rain. Working outdoors in the UK this time of year can be pretty wet. Having a good comfortable pair of waterproof trousers makes the difference between a positive day and a pretty grim day.
Read MoreI’m often asked which I prefer – Paramo or Goretex. It’s a bit of a Marmite queston – people are often very much one way or the other. I’ve used both myself, and I’ve talked to lots of clients about their preferences. I’ve seen how both perform in the same weather conditions on the same day out in the mountains. So which do I prefer, and why?
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