Following on from my Introduction into Search and Rescue (SAR) services, I now discuss the myriad of emergency rescue devices available to get help. Ultimately someone has to contact SAR for them to be of use to you. Either one of your emergency contacts has to report you as missing, or you have to use a suitable device to get in touch. There are a few groups of devices on the market so let me run through them. Mobile Phones The first device is the trusty mobile phone, most p

We review the new Uberlite inflatable sleeping pad from Thermarest. A new super lightweight option for those who pack light.

Like many hikers who are also keen photographers I am constantly on the quest for the perfect backpack. We are constantly looking for a camera backpack that we can use instead of our regular hiking backpacks. A backpack with all the features a multi day hiker needs but with the classic back access to the camera gear. So the question is, Is the Sukha the answer? The Sukha is a 70L bag which takes the F Stop Internal Camera Unit (ICU). I tried the Medium Slope ICU as I don'

How to prevent and treat blisters is important on the trail. Blisters can easily bring a multi-day hike to an end.

This blog past carries on from a previous post, we pick up on day 3 at Dutgee walker camp. Day 3 - Dutgee Walkers Camp to Litoria Walkers Camp (15km) Today was a relatively low mileage day, so I once again tried to have a lay in but found it difficult with the heat. I was still suffering from a bad stomach, but a couple of Immodium seemed to have done the job downstairs. A quick cuppa in the morning and I am all set to go. This stretch of the hike was a mixture of heath and

Australia is on many peoples bucket lists due to the hot weather and amazing white sandy beaches, but even so the deadly creepy crawlies does put some people off. My wish was somewhat different, but that is no surprise to some readers I suspect. I wanted a hard multi day hike in the bush, something to push myself again and also to confront my fear of snakes and spiders. Little did I know I was certainly going to get that. The Australia trip was a vacation to catch up with

Hiking Day 4 - Unknown spot to Salka (23km) So I awoke to a somewhat cooler day, much better for hiking, a stunning view in the valley from my tent. I had 23km to walk today. Taking care of your feet on a multi day hike is very important. Blisters and toenail issues are a sure way to bring a hike to an early end or at best make it painful and miserable to continue. So each morning I prep my feet for the day, depending upon the terrain with either moleskin for hot spots or

This trail has to be a favourite on anyone's bucket list, but for me, specifically the northern arctic circle section. Although remote, it is the most common section of the trail hiked by visitors. The section I wanted to hike was from Vakkotavare to Abisko (113km). Traditionally people walk south from Abisko and either go east at Singi junction to Nikkaluokta or go from Abisko south all the way to the end Hemavan (440km). However walking south means you have the sun in

Wildland Trekking are a US based company offering hiking vacations of different styles. I have used them for 3 backpacking trips and 1 porter style trip with amazing differences. With so many adventure based companies now offering hiking and other activity breaks, why should you use Wildland Trekking. The answer is simple, for some trips, they are amazing, for others, don't go near them. I found Wildland Trekking in Spring of 2016 when I was looking for a trip to Yellowsto

I'm not a big fan of New Year's eve and prefer to be out doing something, so this year I decided to go to Lake District. Driving up and getting there late (dark) meant I couldn't have too much of a hike into camp. Hiking in dark, wet, windy and possibly icy conditions is not a favourite of mine. So after some suggestions from fellow campers I ended up choosing Loughrigg Fell in the southern part of the Lake District near Windermere and Ambleside. The plan was to drive up o

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is one of 3 long distance works in North America going from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine and has been on my mind since I found my adventurous spirit 3 years ago. Whilst it isn't possible to walk the whole trail currently, I still wondered what it would be like. So it was time to tick off another entry on the bucket list, well at least a bit of it. Whilst on a trip with friends in Yosemite and also other friends in Denmark

For those of us that have Sleep Apnoea, life is a little different, namely, we use a CPAP machine overnight to help us breathe normally. Obviously, if your condition is due to weight then, of course, that is an issue to work on, but not all Sleep Apnoea is due to being overweight. Once using a CPAP machine, life is no different in the day and there are no restrictions with life, all is good. However, the practicalities and lack of portability of most CPAP machines do raise s