What to pack this Spring for your outdoor adventure?

With the vagaries of the British weather, the only thing you can guarantee is that the weather during a weekend in the great Outdoors could very well vary from wind and rain to glorious sunshine. So, for a walk in the countryside this Spring don’t forget to pack a few of those essentials.

A waterproof coat and trousers are invaluable. A good set of waterproofs will not only keep you dry but also act as a brilliant windproof, keeping you nice and warm inside.

Plenty of layers underneath will keep you warm but also allows you to remove a layer or two if you get too hot or the weather turns out for the better whilst you are out and about. Layers also trap warm air between them, acting as additional insulation.

Layers made from high wicking fabrics and fibres (wool & synthetics) are recommended, since these do not hold moisture as you perspire during activity. We wouldn’t recommend cotton tshirts or jeans, these get heavier when wet, do not dry quickly and denim also chaffs, ruining your day out.

If you’ve seen the forecast and it looks to be staying fine, new fabrics jackets made from softshell are far more breathable than your waterproof and yet insulating at the same time. They would weather well in rain showers too, but perhaps not so well in persistent rain!

Even at this time of year, the weather can be cold, especially with the effect of the wind, so don’t forget to pack your gloves and a warm hat in your pack. Most forget that you can loose up to 30% of your body heat through your head, so you can very easily control your body temperature through the use of a good warm hat.

A good pair of walking boots would be recommended. If you have ‘worn these in’, perhaps around the home before your weekend, this will ensure that you don’t develop any sore spots or blisters once out and about. A good pair of socks, or a double pair, will ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable day out.

Whether it’s forecast to be warm or not, don’t forget to pack a drink. Hydration bladders, that can be carried in your backpack are great, since they allow you to drink little and often, keeping you hydrated throughout your day. As well as your lunch, remember to pack a few extra snacks (flapjacks, raisins, nuts are good energy foods) for Justin (Case!)

The weather can be exceptionally warm here in the UK, especially in the Spring months, when the sunlight is more direct. Make sure you have extra water, sunglasses and sunscreen when the weather is forecast to be good.

gr8trails have shortlisted a range of kit on their website, which you can also conveniently download and use as a checklist.

gr8trails offers, all inclusive guided mountain biking and walking short breaks and weekends away, throughout the UK. Bringing ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability.

Our short break and weekend destinations include the stunning Lake District with dramatic mountains, endless lakes and golden wooded meadows. Alternatively, history-rich North Wales and Snowdonia or hiking amongst the wide green views and rugged edges found in the Derbyshire Peak District or Yorkshire Dales. For those willing to venture a little further and wish for greater challenges we offer week long breaks to our Scottish destinations.

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact us to tailor make your perfect break.

07786 343990       info@gr8trails.co.uk or complete our online choose your own adventure form.

Gregory Z35, an understated, lightweight hillwalking pack, again with cavernous versatility!

Gregory do it again!, from off the shelf, the Z35 sets out to impress. Just like the Gregory Miwok18 action pack, loading the Z35 with gear from my old hillwalking pack, it still had more than enough room to spare.

Like most good sized daywalking/guiding packs the Z35 follows the typical design, of main compartment with drawstring top access and flip over top hood. The additional feature is the front zip access to the main compartment, allowing you to retrieve/stow gear without having to release the hood buckles and drawstring. A great idea when you need something in a hurry eg waterproof top and trousers!

The main compartment is expansive, fitting at least the quoted 35litres of gear inside. The hood follows the same voluminous theme, with 1 internal and 1 externally accessed zipped pocket. We like, the under hood pocket zip, opening in such a way that all the contents don’t fall out when opened!, like in some other packs available in the market – something to look out for. Nice addition of a key loop in the top pocket too!

The main compartment also has a top tensioning webbing strap and quick release buckle, allowing quick stowage of a loose fleece or to keep the contents of a half filled pack closer to your pack and maintaining your centre of gravity.

Hydration bladder can be stowed within the main compartment in its own pocket, with a fabric port for your drinking tube on both sides of the pack, allowing you to route down either shoulder strap.

There’s also all the normal things you’d expect to see on a pack of this quality; haul loop, high vis hits back and front,  adjustable chest strap, high wicking mesh on all contact areas, mesh side bottle pockets, walking pole loop, hard wearing diamond ripstop fabrics etc, etc.

Whilst out walking, the shoulder/waist straps & unique Jetstream Dynamic Transfer System keep the pack close enough to your back, whilst not impeding movement or knocking you off balance. The Jetstream system keeps the pack off your back to allow airflow, but not too far off to unbalance you when walking. Forward pull/quick release waist straps/buckles are intuitive to use and ensure a snug comfortable fit round your waist. The integral zipped waist compartments on both! waist fins, allow easy access to snacks on the move too.

This pack also features an expandable, easy access front pocket for stowage of a map or waterproofs whilst on the move, ensuring there is no need to stop whilst out on the hill. There is also a zipped pocket for stowage of the inclusive waterproof pack cover.

Overall, again very impressed with this Gregory pack. It looks sharp, is understated in its capacity, is lightweight and offers abundant versatility.

Enjoy your walk! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

A broader range of Gregory packs & Source hydration bladders are available from our retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports. Click here to find out more about the broader Gregory pack range our recommended pack brand partner and hydration partner, Source.

2011: a year in review

gr8trails began 2011 with Rick mountain bike racing the Terra Australis ‘down under’. An amazing 7 day stage race through the Victorian Alpine region also known as the Snowy Mountains. Starting in Falls Creek and finishing in Beechworth 7days later crossing 550km of high country along the way. Rick and team mate Stuart finished 7th in category, against a very competitive and experienced field.

Whilst Rick was away, Adrian headed to Scotland for a weeks Winter mountaineering. Although the conditions weren't as good as the previous year, gr8trails still managed to bag a few snow capped Munro's, only another 224 to go! check out our Facebook and Flickr pages for some gr8 images!

gr8trails opened the UK Spring walking season with several weekends in the Lake District around Wasdale, Grasmere and the Langdales. This included kayaking on Lake Windermere and biking at Whinlatter Forest. Set in the beautiful area between Windermere and Coniston, our preferred accommodation providers in Hawkshead are The Kings Arms Hotel & the Queens Head Inn & Restaurant

May saw the gr8trails team support, guide and sponsor the Yoxall Dads 3Peaks Challenge, with a successful day walking Scafell & Wasdale in preparation for their 24hour Challenge, you can see how they got on at, Yoxall Dads.

gr8trails was also proud to support the annual Pike View Hike for young people in the Scout organisation, by participation in the events safety team. A safe and fun event marked the anniversary of the 10 years of this successful event.

Our second race of the year was in more familiar territory, Eastor Castle and the Malvern Hills for 24hours of Mountain Mayhem. gr8trails sponsored several teams in solo, 4man and 10man categories, you can see how we fared at OSMountain Mayhem.

June also saw us visit the hills and valleys of Wales for another of our short breaks. With stunning early summer weather our walk round the Snowdon horseshoe was very rewarding, followed by a days biking at the little known Penmachno trailhead. gr8trails recommends staying at a variety of accommodation in Wales including The Eagles in Penmachno.

 

July saw gr8trails announce their partnership with premium UK outdoor retailer Ellis Brigham, the UK’s favourite mountain, trek & travel store. With over 75years of expertise, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports are an established and trusted name when it comes to offering the very best advice and latest equipment suitable for your next gr8 adventure. Stocking innovative outdoor brands such as Gregory packs, Source hydration and Meindl footwear in their 23 stores, it was a logical step for these brands to pledge their support for gr8trails in August.

Meindl have been producing quality handmade, durable, comfortable and award winning walking boots for over 300 years. Gregory is committed to making the most comfortable outdoor backpacks available and Source’s unique, care free antimicrobial hydration products provide a clean, healthy and easily accessible solution for clean water on the move.

August saw the gr8trails crew visit the off road, manmade biking trails of the 7Stanes in the Scottish Borders. Staying at Glentrail House, with days spent at Ae, Innerleithan and Glentress, groups built upon their own existing skills reinforcing their confidence on their bikes and these fantastic trails.

Friends Plush Hill Cycles, Church Stretton celebrated their first full year of trading earlier this summer and the gr8trails team joined up with them to give our support and promote mountain biking in Church Stretton and across the UK. ‘Plush’ is a combination of enthusiasm and mountain biking experience from around the world, dedicated to all that is biking. Big on service, Al & Kate offer a wide choice of well known brands as well as fixing and upgrading your bike, they offer a bike demo and hire service too.

The onset of Autumn saw the gr8trails team walking and biking the leafy, golden valleys of the Peak District. For our short breaks and outdoor activities here, gr8trails recommends our guests stay at the award winning, 5 star B&B, Underleigh House or the only 4 star hotel within the Peak District National Park, Losehill House Hotel, both hidden along a leafy lane in the Vale of Edale. Ensuite accommodation, allows you to relax and unwind in comfortable surroundings with your group of family or friends, after your days activities with gr8trails.

Winter is now all about the planning for the exciting weekends gr8trails will be running in 2012. Short breaks to cater for you, whether you are a large group or on your own wanting to meet new people, whether you are wanting to participate in a new sport or build on previous experience, gr8trails hopes to cater for you.

Looking forward to sharing your next gr8 adventure with you.

Adrian and Rick.

Directors & Co-founders

Durable footwear, packed with technology, delivers the ultimate in comfort!

My Meindl Vacuum GTX walking boots are still going strong after 6 rigorous years of hard mountain walking and guiding around the UK and abroad.

What originally appealed to me was the patented ‘Digafix’ lacing system, which gives what I believe the most secure lacing and fit of any mountain boot available on the UK market. With the additional advantage of being able to unlace partway down the front of your foot, for very easy removal of your feet after a long days hill walking.

The hard wearing, durable Multigrip Vibram sole shows wear after 6years of use, but remains grippy in all conditions, with the high ‘rand’ around the front of the boot, protecting against knocks and scrapes whilst out there on the hill.

Whatever the UK weather can throw at these boots, they have remained watertight with the breathable Gore-Tex lining and Nubuck leather outer finish – remember to treat with Meindl Sportwax and Wetproof every so often to prolong the life of your boots.

The high, cushioned soft & comfortable leather upper supports your ankle. Cushioned memory foam insoles and the patented MFS Vacuum footbed ensure that even on long hill days you can still walk with comfort.

We know that buying walking boots is a very personal process, since we all have different shaped feet. However, this would be the first time I would re-buy the same brand and model of walking boot, having not quite found the most comfortable & durable all round boot over the many years of mountain walking I have enjoyed, until now.

Enjoy your walk! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

Mens, womens & kids sizes are available from our retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports. Click here to find out more about the broader Meindlfootwear range, our recommended walking boot brand partner.

Source Widepac hydration bladders, easy to use and easy to clean!

gr8trails have used a variety of Source hydration bladders whilst guiding, believing Source to be the most affordable and easiest to use bladder reservoirs available.

Offered in a variety of sizes, 1.5l, 2l & 3l, Source Widepac hydration bladders can be used in packs available across the UK market, whether that be hillwalking packs, daysacks or lightweight action packs.

The Widepac version offers the enhanced benefit of an easy fill, wide top opening and slide closure. This opening makes it very easy to empty, fill, clean and dry, and yet has an airtight seal when the bladder top is sealed, by use of the simple slider. Remove the slider, drain the contents and leave to dry stood open, upside down, very simple too!

 The almost glass like appearance of the bladder is also a unique self cleaning design feature, preventing the build up of any biofilm. Furthermore, the liner technology has an anti microbial grunge guard treatment to block the growth of bacteria, with no plastic after taste found in some bladders.

The same anti microbial technology is used in the durable tube that connects the reservoir to the mouthpiece. This has a lock off valve at the base of the reservoir, very convenient when you may not wish to remove the tube from your pack, simply release, refill and reconnect….with no leakage! Much better than other systems available with similar technology, which may leak whilst in your pack.

As well as having the expected bite valve mechanism, the mouthpiece also features a twist ‘on and off’. Again, better than some alternatives, preventing the valve from being accidentally opened whilst in the back of a well packed car perhaps!

Source offer a broader range of hydration reservoirs and accessories to suit any budget, available at our preferred retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports stores.

Enjoy your walk or ride! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

gr8trails supports Plush Hill Cycles, Church Stretton.

Plush Hill Cycles celebrated its first full year of trading earlier this summer. The gr8trails team joins up to give its support and promote mountain biking in Church Stretton and across the UK.

‘Plush’ is a combination of enthusiasm and mountain biking experience from around the world. A shop that is dedicated to all that is biking. Big on service, Al & Kate ask you to visit, chill out, have a brew, whilst watching the Tour on the big TV or flick through some bike mags, whilst sharing stories of trails ridden.

Now in its second year, Al & Kate offer a wide choice of well known brands; commencal, genesis, norco, yeti, ridgeback, Saracen, ragley, ghost, sram, blackburn, giro, fox, shimano, avid, troy lee designs, park tool, Madison & continental to name a few. As well as fixing and upgrading your bike, they offer a bike demo and hire service too.

In partnership with plushhillcycles, gr8trails can offer guided mountain biking around the Church Stretton and Long Mynd area. As well as guided mountain biking and walking in North Wales and around the UK.

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Wishing to bring ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability. 

Your gr8trails experience includes food and accommodation, transport during your short break, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to your own requirements.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact gr8trails to tailor make your perfect break.

Plushhillcycles is based in Church Stretton, 1 hours drive from Birmingham, 1hr45mins from Nottingham & under 3 hours from London. Church Stretton is also on the main Manchester to Cardiff line, within 2hrs of Manchester and 3hrs of London.

On behalf of gr8trails and plushhillcycles we look forward to welcoming you to the stunning Long Mynd area.

Gregory packs, Meindl footwear and Source hydration join up to support gr8trails.

Using innovative products such as Gore-Tex, Vibram and Memory Foam. Meindl have been producing quality handmade, durable, comfortable and award winning walking boots, hiking boots and shoes for over 300 years, from their factory in Bavaria, Germany. This shoemaking tradition is now in its 11th generation, managed by Lars and Lukas Meindl, who continue Meindl’s promise to produce high quality footwear. Every pair of boots are hand crafted, so we know you will feel the difference as soon as you try on a pair of Meindl boots.

Wayne Gregory designed his first backpack in 1977 to provide comfort and stability. This philosophy still holds true today. Gregory is committed to making the most comfortable outdoor backpacks available and know that a properly fitting pack will carry weight better, be more comfortable and improve performance whilst out on the trail. Designed to fit different back lengths and torso shapes, Gregory Backpacks are dedicated to offer superior comfort, fit and stability across their whole backpack range.

Source’s unique technology represents a quantum leap in hydration systems. Their care free antimicrobial hydration products provide a clean, healthy and easily accessible solution for clean water on the move.

Also, Source’s handcrafted adventure sandals achieve the perfect balance between comfort and performance. The innovative combination of patented technologies provide unmatched performance and durability.

In partnership with Gregory packs, Source hydration and Meindl footwear, gr8trails can offer guided mountain biking, walking and other activities in various parts of the UK.

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Wishing to bring ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability. Your gr8trails experience includes food and accommodation, transport during your short break, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to your own requirements.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact gr8trails to tailor make your perfect break.

On behalf of gr8trails, Gregory packs, Meindl footwear and Source hydration we all look forward to creating a gr8 outdoor experience you’ll never forget & one that you will wish to share in years to come.