Tractional security just got even lighter. The new version of Vargo’s ultralight crampons weigh a little over one ounce each (32.6 grams) as compared with their previous version which was around twice that. They have these plates on either side to keep them located (also lugs under) They look pretty grippy here on one of […]
As Della observed in the last post it has been very wet around her lately. We have ad 4″ of rain this week alone! Going around the lambs or trying to spray thistles on our steep hills has been fraught with difficulty on account of how slippery it has been. I have had a number
The quest for wide shoes: If life came with a user’s manual and we read it (unlikely – given how little we read other such manuals – else we would not have the acronym RTFM) we would probably give up much sooner. Now that I have slipped gracelessly into old age I am constantly coming
Sometimes in winter on trails like the EBC etc there are dangerous patches of ice which need to be traversed. Obviously if you were expecting this as a constant situation you would be using more serious crampons. Vargo have just updated their ultralight pocket cleats (62 grams each) which can be quickly attached to your
I get it that you might not be able to sew but I don’t get that you can’t learn and can somehow afford to buy $500+ tents and other such nonsense but you can’t buy a $200 sewing machine and make your own even better tent for <$50, but maybe I can start you on
I have been (very belatedly) making Della a pair of these using the ‘pattern’ I made my own with some years ago. That post says they weighed 19 grams but that was including the closed cell foam inserts. 13 without! That was in US Size 9. Della’s in US Women’s Size 6 weigh just 10
I have recommended that you always carry a metal trowel particularly as an aid to procuring survival water. A hatchet or machete is also vital for this if you ever travel in dry country – as who does not? Such a trowel is also a powerful tent anchor in sand or snow or other loose
Yet another lightweight shoe. This one the Sketcher Go walk claims to be only 206 grams in Mens US Size 9! Only A$99 (September 2020) so maybe worth giving them a try even just as ‘river crossing’ or camp shoes. Here’s what they say about them: ‘The leaders in walking shoe technology continue to innovate
Just bought a great new pair of wet weather pull-on boots, Otway Ranger Lo Soft (Toe) @ $75 from Scotts, Traralgon. I have just been around the lambs on the (steep) hill and can report that they have excellent grip on wet, clayey grass and are totally waterproof in 2” deep puddles. These are a
Make your own unbreakable shoe laces. That way you don’t need to carry a spare. You can buy Aglets (ie ends – what a great word – from Old French ‘aiguillette’, a small needle) cheaply enough A$3.88 per 100 plus 50 ft 2.3 mm black Kevlar line A$24.92 (pictured) to make your own unbreakable shoe
