Alpkit Outpost 16

Grab your stuff and go. Time spent outdoors is time well spent. And we’re looking to new places, new experiences and exploring beyond the familiar. Dive in to Outpost 2024. Run, Hike, Climb, Camp, Swim, Paddle, Bike.

06 RIGHT TO SWIM OPENING WATER UP TO ALL / 12 HAPPY PLACE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH / 20 CLASSIC ROCK RECORD BREAKING WITH A TANDEM / 24 FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY CYCLING SOLO ACROSS AFRICA / 35 ALPKIT FOUNDATION THREE DADS WALKING / 38 CONTINUUM CONQUERING THE KEESOCK FERRY SWIM

It was 20 years ago today. We’ve just turned 20 and look how we’ve grown. While so much has changed, so much is a constant. Founded on friendship, a love of adventure and a deep frustration at the high cost of top-end gear. Alpkit has survived these years thanks to the support of our customers and your stories. We simply have the best customers. Thank you. Go

20 years. It’s been one hell of a time, packed full of designing kit for you to do good things and go nice places.

in THINGS

From fan favourites to trail blazing icons, here’s what we think makes Alpkit, well, Alpkit.

‘Alpkit20’ at alpkit.com

1. Camino - Award winning anyway everywhere category killer gravel bike.

2. Hunka - Waterproof and breathable sleep anywhere sleeping bag cover.

Ti

6. Pipedream sleeping bag - Perfect balance of warmth, weight, price and pack size.

7. Definition - World’s first mountaineering jacket free from PFCs.

8. Qark head torch - Sweetspot rechargeable headtorch of weight, brightness and battery life.

4. Kraku - Our smallest lightest titanium camp stove.

3. Fantom - Direct descendent from the famous Filo.

5.

chopsticks - Ultimate lightweight take-away. Will also work with other Asian cuisines.

17.

19.

20. Foundation and Continuum - Everything you buy helps more people to get outside. From supporting projects to rehoming gear.

13. Lotic - UK’s first outdoor swimming wetsuit.

9. Jeanius jeans - The doanything jeans with built in tech. 11. Gourdon - Iconic backpack, it’s a dry bag with shoulder straps.

14. Factory - Leading the resurgence in bikepacking since 2010.

16. Soloist - Nothing beats this one person tent.

Stores - The physical embodiment of Alpkit.com since 2017.

18. Repair station - Officially our biggest selling product.

10. Phud - High per-foamance bouldering mats.

12. Gravitas - Worlds apart comfort for a 3 layer waterproof. Cheapest and best in test.

15. Woodsmoke - Tech thermocore shirt for active outdoor life.

Big Shakeout - Our end of the summer weekend of adventure and entertainment. since 2010. copied by many.

Water has no boundaries.

Dominick Tyler

That’s what I and many others believe in: that we have an innate right to access land, lakes and rivers, to go into green and blue spaces. To have them clean enough that they’re swimmable when we get there. And to move freely through these commons with care.

Water has no boundaries: it can not belong to anybody, any more than you can own the air. The movement to have the right to swim clearly enshrined in new laws has grown massively since The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) began talking about inland access in 2006. And now it’s focused on one particular date of the year: the anniversary of the first Kinder Trespass.

It’s hard to imagine England or Wales without access to highlands and without National Parks, but on 24 April 1932, when almost 500 local walkers challenged their exclusion from land by leading a trespass up Kinder Scout in the Peak District, that was the situation. Cut to 2021, when swimmers from the OSS, Sheffield Outdoor Plungers and the local area took the protest for more rights to the water, at Kinder Reservoir.

In the three years since then, we’ve seen a ripple effect across the country as more and more people demand two things: more protection for our water against human damage (agricultural, industrial and sewage) and access to what we see as ‘the commons’. We do not want to queue up and pay for a swim, we want to swim as people walk: at 5am,

for 3 minutes, at midnight, for hours, before or after a picnic. Alone, with friends, with our families. Our right is not for organised sport, it’s for free access to our blue spaces.

The best way to get this innate, natural right enshrined more clearly in law is to use it: to go swimming. To act as if we are already free. The law is a bottom up process as well as a top down one: it responds to the actions we take. It changes along with what people feel they are entitled to do. If we imagine law as otherwise, it may become it.

The Kinder Trespass was a catalyst, it took many years to establish national parks and 68 to achieve the CROW Act (2000). Reservoirs look to us the place to start: there are 2000 across England and Wales, often near cities where people are short on places to swim. The area encompassing Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Doncaster has a population of around 7.6 million people, with more than 250 reservoirs, but a distinct lack of free open access swim spots. Plus, the Water Industry Act 1991 states that water companies must “…ensure that the water or land is made available for recreational purposes and is so made available in the best manner”. While many reservoirs have footpaths, fishing and boating, swimming is often expressly prohibited. Who gave them that right?

This is why each April for the Kinder Trespass anniversary, we encourage swimmers all over the country to take to their local waters, expressing our right. And why you may wish to think about finding a place, finding a friend, grabbing a placard and joining them.

outdoorswimmingsociety.com

Kate Rew Alpkiteer, founder of The Outdoor Swimming Society and author of Wild Swim and The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook.

Hollie Harmsworth

From river, lake, lido & sea, baltic to brrrr - a family that swims together, stays together.

Hurley

Long sleeved swim top using ECONYL®, for extra warmth and sun protection. Men’s and Women’s £39.99

Long-sleeved one-piece swimsuit using ECONYL®, with extra warmth and sun protection. £44.99

Nefyn Swimwear Set

Two-piece swimsuit using ECONYL®, for short, sharp dips and warmer waters. £29.99

Bredon & Hythe swim shorts

Streamlined swim shorts using ECONYL®, for warmer waters or short, sharp plunges. Bredon £19.99, Hythe £24.99

Terrapin Natural Swimming Wetsuit

Swimming wetsuit designed for natural position in the water. Men’s and Women’s £139.99

‘Swim’ at alpkit.com

Lotic Swimming Wetsuit

Fine-tuned to maximise comfort and time in the water; our best all-round wetsuit for swimming. Men’s and Women’s £199.99

Haven

Warm and weatherproof changing cloak for cosiness before and after activity. £129.99 Even

Silvertip Thermal Swimming Wetsuit

Increased buoyancy and thermally lined, the ideal wetsuit for swimming in cold water. Men’s and Women’s £224.99

Dulsie

The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook £19.79

The weight is over

The new Ultra tent

The Ultra is our new one person ultralight freestanding tent for solo adventures. This is everything we’ve learnt about fast and light over the past 20 years.

Engineered for 3-season camping, this 900g ultralight tiny home won’t slow you down, whether you’re heading out early to catch nature off guard or crunching the miles bikepacking across a continent. We’ve maximised liveable space inside while shedding weight wherever possible, all without compromising strength or performance. Taking only 6 pegs to pitch and utilising ultra strong carbon poles, the Ultra is easy to carry in a pack or on the bike. Use without the flysheet when skies are clear, the Ultra is all about getting closer to nature with minimum impact. Naturally PFC-free, meaning it doesn’t leave any nasty chemicals in the wild places we love.

£299.99

NotActual size (1,046 grams total)

Super shrink your kit to supersize your days. Explore further and shake off the weight of the world from your shoulders (or bike) with our ultra light gear options.

1.

Powerbank charger for multi-day trips. £24.99

580 lumen USB rechargeable head torch with adjustable beam width. £39.99

Lightweight, Folding foam sit mat to keep your bum warm and dry. £11.99

5. MytiMug 600

Ultralight titanium cooking pot. £38.99

6. Cloud Base

Lightweight, inflatable sleeping mat: full length, 5cm thick, 420g. £54.99

7. Ultra 80

Ultralight, 2-season sleeping bag. Primaloft® Gold fill. £179.99

8. Kraku

Collapsible titanium camping stove, weighs just 45g. £24.99

Actual size (45 grams)

Juice Tank

2. Drift

Inflatable pillow. £13.99

3. Qark

4. EZ Sitter

‘Deeds’

REAL STORIES OF JOURNEYS, EXPEDITIONS AND ADVENTURE.

Happy Place

Richard Roberts, Alpkit customer, joiner and life long outdoor enthusiast, takes time out to hikethrough the South West Coast Path.

It was dark now; I’d found a good spot to pitch my tent. It was the first night and I’d remembered how to put it up. Everything was sorted and in its place, ready for a good night’s sleep before the following days backpacking, and then the next 6 weeks of walking around 630 miles of stunning coastal scenery. This was the South West Coast Path, let the adventure commence.

The sea is my happy place. This big walk connected so many holiday memories that I’ve enjoyed with my family. It tied it all up into a very neat adventure (I hesitate to use the word holiday - but the sun was shining…!).

I started at Poole to finish at Minehead. Most people (and guide books) go the other way. I planned very little, booked nothing but did take a careful note of all of the river crossings and tide times.

I figured that walking myself fit over the few weeks would prepare me for the brutally physical Bude to Hartland Quay section – this worked. What I hadn’t counted on was the pure number of people you meet going in the other direction. It was lovely!

My initial target was to meet up with friends at Plymouth Sound in around two weeks, a possible lawn pitch on the Lizard but basically not much of an agenda. The plan was to keep going, keep the sea on the left and savour the moments.

Never did I feel alone, great conversations with people from all over the world but all with a common goal – I think the path was touched with Trail Magic and a fair smattering of people touched with eccentricities.

And so, leaving the Isle of Purbeck behind me, a daily routine emerged where I would wake up at 5am and be packed up and walking by 5:30am then walking a couple of hours before stopping somewhere with a perfect view and a bench seat – this almost always happened! Here I would brew a pint of coffee (two sachets worth) and ginger nut biscuits / choccy bar, consumed while I caught up with my blog and just gawped at the view. I did a lot of gawping. Then packed up until the next shop / café where more food was consumed and always ensuring that I could top up my phone and battery bank and water bottles. With various stops and rests along the way I would aim to find a spot to camp after 9pm if camping ‘wild’ or earlier if staying at a site, but always walking first thing in the day and towards dusk were special moments. Food was almost always in my thoughts…

GEAR FAVOURITE

Our Hathersage store manager Adam just loves being outside. He’s a hiker, runner, rider and climber. Here are his musthaves for thru-hiking in the UK.

Inevitably coast path walking is quite a physical challenge, there are big hills to go up usually followed by big hills to go down, repeat this many times. Gradually, the recovery time at the tops of the climbs lessened and I knew I was regaining my fitness. And always the sea by my side, useful to cool my feet and enjoy a swim.

A completely unexpected delight was being told by a fellow walker about a small bay that had a stream cascading down onto the beach in a manner not unlike a shower – it was quite perfect, I spent the whole afternoon swimming, showering, reading and then slept out under the stars with only a seal for company.

The sun shone…until the day when I’d really wanted good views. The highest point of the whole path – Great Hangman. The whole day was shrouded in clouds and heavy rain fall –even the chef in the Combe Martin café took pity on me and gave me extra bacon! BUT this was the only day when I wore my waterproofs for the whole day, and the really good thing was that I was walking into Exmoor and the end of my epic walk.

I spent 44 days on the path of which 2 were travelling. Of the 43 nights, 22 were wild camps (3 under the stars), 11 were camp sites, 2 were hotels and 8 were with friends.

1. Jaran 2 Ultralight 2-person backpacking tent. £249.99

2. Juice Holder Compact 20,000mAh power bank. £29.99

3. Kepler Long Sleeve Premium 160 gsm merino base layer. £59.99

4. Fortitude Hillwalking waterproof. £199.99

5. Koro High powered titanium camping stove weighing 124g. £54.99

6. Pacific Crest 55L 55-litre hiking backpack. £79.99

7. Qark 580 lumen usb rechargeable head torch. £39.99

8. Teleki Lightweight hiking trousers. £49.99

9. Pipedream 400 Ultralight down sleeping bag. £239.99

10. Numo Inflatable sleeping mat. £46.99

11. MytiMug 600 Titanium cooking mug. £38.99

12. Alpine Trail Twins Shock absorbing trekking poles. £39.99

13. Tippla Stainless steel hip flask. £24.99

14. Griffon Gridded microfleece jacket. £54.99

Tiny homes for sale

If you’re starting to think that bricks and mortar are getting a tad pricey, take a look at these beauties.

Deceptively spacious and in whatever desirable area you fancy.

Aeronaut 2 is a stable, robust and lightweight 3-season shelter. Pitches in seconds inflating by bike pump or foot pump and even quicker to put away, with no poles it’s easily stowed into a seat pack or backpack. Aeronaut 2 eliminates the risk of traditional pole failure. The air pole is strong enough when inflated to withstand being driven over by a fully loaded van (don’t ask how we know). Perfect for when simplicity, space and weight is of premium importance. Like all our products, it comes with our amazing AlpineBond guarantee for a lifetime of adventures.

£199.99 Aeronaut 2

Thru-hiking the 1,250 kilometres of the GR-7 from Tarifa to Andorra will test even the best laid plans. Pack light (for the vibes), pack smart (for the inevitable) and stock up in the Pueblos Blancos (for the snacks). So when there’s no room in the Refugio you’ll have everything you need to go again in the morning.

Long distance riding has transformed from being a complete suffer-fest, to party-pace adventure and an excuse to soak up different sceneries and cycling meccas. As the days get longer, more of us find ourselves turning to spend even more time in the saddle.

Inspired by the hummingbird which can fly for over 2000km non-stop (goals, right?), our Colibri is the bike of choice for the sunchasers and those who just love to ride and connect with new places.

We’re all for jumping into new things, but if this is your first rodeo of all day riding, it’s best to get the

foundations down and gradually build up. There are plenty of training plans to guide you through building your base miles and set you up for success. Over a 6 week period, gradually work up to hitting 160km a week, and this should put you in a very strong position.

Covering long distances in one go is as much of a mental game as it is a physical one. Maintaining a positive approach can transform your ride, even during the most demoralising conditions, such as strong headwinds, driving rain, and endless hills. Try to picture a treat at the end of the ride, a cold beer, face full of icecream or just a warm bed. It’s key to remember to pace yourself, embrace the beauty of where you are and come to enjoy the

challenge of climbing. After all, riding in all conditions makes us stronger riders (doesn’t it?!).

Getting enough sleep can be the difference between having a great day on the bike and having a terrible day. Sleep isn’t wasting time; it’s essential to help your body repair and recover from the challenging days in the saddle. If you’re asking your body to go above and beyond, then give it the time to recover; it’s part of the deal, or as Elton John would say “the circle of life”.

Fuelling right can also help keep the positive vibes going when you’re miles deep in your ride. Start with a hearty breakfast of complex carbohydrates like oats, a variety of sweet and savoury of on-the-bike-snacks to replenish and boost energy, gels and plenty of water (bonus points if you’ve got a carb and electrolyte mix). We also like to pack an emergency treat and gel just in case you hit struggle-city. An unofficial stop off to soak up the culture (local coffee and bun) may also be required!

Ultracycling doesn’t have to be about going the furthest in the fastest time. We like to think it’s all about the journey; finding yourself, finding your limits, taking a mental break from the everyday, and exploring new places one pedal stroke at a time.

LONG HAUL IN IT FOR THE

Colibri AL from £1,099

Colibri Ti from £2,149 (pictured)

Tour Cargo are low profile bib shorts designed for long days in the saddle, with thigh pockets for your phone and snacks. Perfect for riders planning to extend their day rides to all-day epics and rack up big miles on multi-day tours. Made in Europe with 78% recycled fabric. £99.99

1. Kanza

2. Strada Bikepacking and touring cycling shorts. 3. Paradiso Premium cycling jersey. £119.99 • 4. Valli Long Sleeve Jersey. £134.99

Floe Short Mountain bike shorts. £79.99

6. Sonder Organic cotton tee. £24.99

Floe Trouser Softshell full length mountain bike trousers. £79.99

If it’s broken, fix it.

The longer you keep your kit going, the smaller your impact on the planet. It’s the reason we’ve always repaired our own products, and the reason we’ve been repairing outdoor kit from any brand, since 2004.

Clothing, sleeping bags, tents, packs and equipment. New zips, down patches, new pockets, sewing, custom alterations, anything is possible – our repairs are famous across the industry. Bring in your gear to any Alpkit store or book online to get it repaired. From the big fixes to the small wins, our Repair Heroes keep gear going, going, going…

‘Repair Station’ at alpkit.com

Pete Whittaker, one half of the climbing duo Wide Boyz, talks us through setting challenges, breaking records and riding shotgun through the Peak on a tandem.

What was the idea behind breaking the speed record?

Myself and my friend Tom saw an article about a pair doing all the Classic Rock route in The Peak district in a day, by man power. As well as trying to make a quick time, we also wanted to make it fun for ourselves and document it for others. As you do we decided to make it much harder for ourselves by hiring a tandem (having never ridden one before) and document it for a film. Although not the quickest time we could have done, we did manage to break the current record.

Why did you choose to take on this challenge?

We wanted to show to people that summer challenges in the Peak can be fun and good for all levels of climbers (the classic rock challenge goes up to VS in standard. So for modern day standards, this is achievable for many people, even if some of the climbs might be a fight).

How much planning did it take?

Most of the planning went into organising film logistics, and getting hold of a tandem, haha. In terms of logistics for the actual challenge, we pretty much just winged it. We sat down for half an hour the night before and double checked where all the climbs were and the best route between them.

Did you do any specific preparation? How would you train for something like this?

We didn’t do any specific prep. We’ve been climbing in the Peak District for many, many years, so have actually climbed all the routes before, plus they are well within our standard. It would have been useful to have probably ridden a tandem before, however that was all done on the day for the first time.

For anyone wanting to set up their own challenge, what would your advice be?

1. Pick something that is achievable for the amount of

time you have. For example if you have no planning or practice time, then lower the intensity and complications. If you have time to practice then you might want something harder.

‘A challenge’ should be exactly that, so something that makes you work, but is achievable.

2. Find a good partner to do these things with and someone else that is psyched. Having a laugh is important.

3. Take good snacks. Speaks for itself really. You’ll be much happier with a decent treat on the way. On our challenge we stopped for both pudding in Bakewell and ice cream in Hathersage.

20 / Pete Whittaker

Pete Whittaker British rock climber and Alpkit Foundation Patron and Trustee.

REAL STORIES OF JOURNEYS, EXPEDITIONS AND ADVENTURE.

PROBLEM SOLVERS

Hard wearing technical and sustainable clothing made for movement, whether you’re bouldering in Fontainebleau, climbing routes on Stanage or simply down at your local wall. #TotallyTradical

1. Farne Tank

High wicking sleeveless base layer for warm active days. £24.99

2. Mello Long Short

Knee-length wicking short tights with pockets. £34.99

3. Mujo

Hinge style pad ideal for frequent boulderers, 100 x 132 x 11cm. £249.99 4. Dawn Organic cotton t-shirt. £24.99

Bloc Short

shorts. £49.99

Waffa

7. Chalk Bag Magnesium carbonate receptacle. £27.99

for the hills

Long or short, party pace or watch this space, however you run, there are few greater ways to connect with new places.

We humans are good movers, in fact, humans have evolved to be the best runners on the planet over a long distance. Even if we don’t often stray further than the local 5km loop, it’s great to know that 2 million years of evolution has our back when venturing further. Step off the known and look for new challenges, you could find yourself leaping up and over mountains, weaving through ancient woodland on a multi-day route, or even exploring new countries on your next trip away. Just make sure to stop and take in the views once in a while.

Start small and run by run you’ll get stronger and you’ll want to go further. Who knows this time next year you might have run an entire continent!

Look like a Tortoise, run like theharE

Bring water, food and supplies, pack right so you can go further. Just remember to set an alarm if you stop for a nap.

A few apps that might help you find new routes... Make it

RunkeEper

Track your runs, get training plans, reminders and strangely addictive challenges.

OS Maps

Never again think, ‘I wonder what’s down there.’ Turn runs into a way to explore new trails and places.

Komoot

Find route inspiration through curated collections and routes shared by Komoot’s ever-growing user base.

6. Swiglet £6.99

7. Artlu 10L Running pack £49.99

FEEL THE FEAR + do it anyway

Sonder Rider Saoirse Pottie on how last minute plan changes saw her bikepacking solo across Africa.

Words & pictures by Sonder Rider Saoirse Pottie

I stood beside the sign marking the equator, looked around and had a moment of reflection. I was in Kenya; the equator sign that stood in front of me marked the achievement of cycling halfway up the African continent.

My journey had begun 3.5 months previously in Cape Town, and I had just over one month left on the road.

It was a journey that I started alongside my pal Abby, but 6 weeks into our trip Abby had been held up whilst waiting for a package to arrive. Our plan was to split but meet again in Malawi where we would spend Christmas together with another friend. But Christmas came and went. By the time the package finally arrived, there were 4 weeks difference in our timescales and we were faced

with one of the most intimidating decisions of the trip - should we try to meet again but skip large sections of our desired routes, or continue solo?

The prospect of continuing solo for the next three months felt far more intimidating than completing a small section alone, where I knew there were friends waiting on the road ahead.

I had many fears. Would I get lonely? Would I be safe?

So far, on our journey through South Africa, and Namibia we had been treated with so much kindness. Those experiences filled me with a lot of confidence. 99% of me believed that we would be safe travelling solo but the other 1% was filled with doubt. Doubt that had been fuelled by a running commentary of people who had warned us that Africa was too dangerous for us to cycle.

We were lucky, we were not the first women to cycle through these countries and when considering the decision to go solo, I lent into the positive first hand experiences they had encountered. On the

premise of this knowledge, we decided to go solo. In the words of Abby, “feel the fear and do it anyway.”

I thought about the 6 weeks that had passed since. The first few days had felt overwhelming. Going solo, you are responsible for all the decisions, there is no one else to confirm your gut feeling. Is this a safe place to camp? Should I or should I not trust this person? Does that food look a bit off?!

And there were still times when I saw something beautiful where I instinctually wanted to turn to Abby , but felt that sinking feeling when I remembered she wasn’t there.

But all of a sudden all those decisions and interactions that had once felt overwhelming became a natural rhythm of life cycling through Africa. I learnt my own tactics to bargain a good price for food, spent my lunch breaks laughing with locals and learning the rules of the board games. In the evenings, I camped on the shores of lake Malawi surrounded by fireflies or occasionally in the local villages where I’d normally be offered food or invited into people’s homes. The shift from fear to competence felt incredibly empowering.

Along the road, I’d met other cyclists and we joined forces when our routes overlapped. Two days previously, I had met three local Kenyan cyclists, who invited me and the three Spanish cyclists I had been travelling with, back to their home. We ate food with their extended family. The next day as my Spanish friends cycled off towards Uganda, I stayed and went hiking with my new extended family.

This morning, they decided to join me as I cycled towards the equator. We had started as six cyclists but as we cycled through the city of Nakuru, more and more cyclists kept joining until I was surrounded by 30 smiling faces on bikes engulfed by music and laughter. There were tall people on very small bikes, small people on very big bikes, a three year old girl on a pull along bike with her dad, people on road bikes, mountain bikes, single speed bikes, we had everything!

And now, as I stood at the equator line, I looked around and realised this is what it was all about. Not who can cycle the furthest or fastest, but moments of connection where your differences melt away and you’re joined by a love of being outdoors, being on two-wheels, being active and having a hella great time.

As my new-found friends turned to cycle the 50km home and I continued onwards, I felt a pang. I was on my own again. But it turns out, you’re never truly alone. My experience of cycling through Africa showed me that around most corners, there’s a big smile and a helping hand waiting for you.

Feel the fear, and do it anyway.

Camping has always been about freedom and connecting with nature. Roof tents add to the flexibility of spontaneous adventure with the added bonus of comfort, protection and a fixed bed for the night.

Let your adventures unfold with Lookout, a 2 person organic polycotton ripstop canvas roof tent Pitch in minutes for campervan-level sleep thanks to the foam mattress, and dark rainfly fabric. With handy storage and 360 degree views, this roof tent is built to withstand the rigours of campsite life. Maximum comfort, minimum fuss. £1,299

BASE CAMP

Designed to be aerodynamic and to fit almost any vehicle from hatchback to van to even pick-up. Get set this summer to explore like never before.

Nest

Tough for any adventure, easy to put up with good aerodynamics. Nest’s is a perfect weekend hideaway, a sleek compact 2 person clamshell pop-up hard shell roof tent. Arrive with your bed already set up; and wake up with 360 degree views from its 4 windows. It’s ideal for maximising night-time recovery for daily adventures.

£1,499

sonderbikes.com

SUP BUDDY?

From surfers to SUP-ers; the stand-up paddleboard (aka SUP) has been embraced by outdoor enthusiasts since the 1990s. Compact, tough, and stable enough to take the weight of exploring lakes, rivers and coastlines. From sunset paddles, to multi-day adventures, see the world from the waterline and explore the otherwise inaccessible.

With the warmer, sunnier days on their way, I am dreaming of adventures out on the water.

Paddle boarding has become a very popular summer pastime. It is a great way to experience the beauty of nature from a different perspective, escape the crowds and find solitude. Personally, there is nothing better when it’s a sunny day to head down to the water side with my SUP and get out there to enjoy the last of the rays. Every sunset is special and there is something very calming about watching the sun set over the mountains whilst out on the water.

My favourite bodies of water to SUP on are Derwentwater in Keswick and Coniston, in the Lake District; being surrounded by the beauty of the fells is just something else! And there are plenty of sites around the lakes where you can park up (responsibly) and launch your SUP.

Picture this, it’s a warm summer day. Why not grab a picnic, gather your friends, or even go solo, and head out on an adventure and paddle the day away. It’s ‘normal’ for us to see people venturing into the wild on foot or by bike, but by paddleboard… not so familiar. The freedom, the fear (yep, there’s a healthy dose of fear), the peacefulness, and the overwhelming feeling of achievement when you return makes SUP adventures something quite special. Take your camping gear and paddle off into the distance and the next day, you can feel a sense of achievement as you sit with your morning tea or coffee, literally sipping-up the success for simply getting out there.

Paddle boarding opens up new places to explore, often allows you to escape the crowds on a busy day, and to see things from a new perspective. Whether you are after a leisurely paddle or a tour to explore further afield, or anything and everything inbetween, experiencing a summertime SUP adventure is a must.

PS. Not all bodies of water allow paddleboards, and always check the weather (it’s advised not to SUP in winds higher than 10-12mph). It’s also always best to practise with a personal flotation device and wear your ankle/waist strap. Before heading out, do your research, paddle responsibly and respect nature.

NEW!

Our new Paddleboard range available now!

1.Longshore Our more narrow board, which ultimately means free speed. It’s an efficient way to explore waters with or without luggage, making the ideal board for the more adventurous and experienced paddler. It’s perfectly at home when paddling the lochs, lakes, and rivers in the wilder parts of the UK. £374.99

2. Delta Our all-rounder inflatable paddleboard with the perfect balance of stability, manoeuvrability and speed for use in rivers, lakes, canals and the sea. It’s ideal for new and experienced paddlers who prioritise staying dry and faster turns over straight line speed, or those planning to take their board on choppier waters. £329.99

Words by Freya Hodson

freya_adventureawaits

Keep warm your way. When the water’s biting, choose the pants and jacket. Or, on mild spring and autumn days, go shorts and sleeveless.

The Element’s made with Glideskin technology for low drag in the water, and windproofing out the water. Designed for easy changing, in sizes 8-18 and S-XL. Sold in separates so you can fit the wetsuit to you – not the other way round.

How to plan...

SUP isn’t all yoga and sunsets, thinking of it as a way to explore is key to unlocking multi-day trips that just wouldn’t be possible by foot or bike. After all 71% of the earth’s surface is water! Heading out on your first overnight paddleboard outing just takes a little extra planning. Here are some tips to help.

• Plan the passage thoroughly with entry and exit points

• Know where you’re going to camp

• Pack light and comfortable - two 65 litre dry bags and one 4 litre bag is enough

• Check the weather forecast

• Tell a friend and take a phone and spare battery a SUP overnighter

‘Element’ at alpkit.com

WALKING SOLVED By

What do you see when your head hits the pillow? The mundane tasks of everyday life? Or is it the memories of getting lost, walking side by side with kindred spirits, one foot in front of the other, freedom to talk, to just be? In the end, it’s the adventure and people we share it with that we remember most. So what are you waiting for? Go nice places, do good things.

An Alpkit classic and a firm favourite with our staff. The lightweight and highly breathable fleece punches above its weight in warmth by trapping loads of air with its voided grid back structure, letting you dump heat like a demon. A Polygiene anti-odour treatment stops your fleece ponging, meaning you can wear it more and wash it less — pretty handy on multi-day trips. The Griffon adds lightweight warmth without the bulk to your layering system. It’s perfect weight for not-quite-so-balmy days at the crag or for layering under your shell on a hike. Available in 6-20 and S-XXL. £54.99

Griffon

Canoeing is a great way to discover secluded bays, explore islands, link up lakes and see the land from a completely different view point. Inflatable canoe’s open up a new way to adventure on the water, easier to transport, easier to store. We can’t think of any downsides. Canoe?

nothing adventured nothing gained

Oxbow Performance meets packability. Oxbow is our inflatable explorer canoe which offers speed and stability. With the ability to pack-down, Oxbow is always ready for adventure and has ample space for two people and storage. It’s ideal for new and experienced paddlers who are looking to explore coastal coves, river cruising and lake adventures £750

Waterway to have a good time.

walking three DADS

Three guys found their lives thrown together when sucked into a vortex whipped up by the aftermath of suicide.

It’s so easy to imagine that when faced with such grief, worlds would completely buckle. Yet, by opening up rather than closing down, they helped each other through these incredibly difficult times and emerged with an optimistic determination to make a difference.

Rewinding back to December 2018, Andy’s world was shattered when his daughter, Sophie, died by suicide at the age of 29. Then, just over a year later in March 2020, Mike and Tim’s lives were changed forever as they too were thrown into “the club nobody ever wants to be part of”. They both tragically lost their daughters, Beth aged 17, and Emily, 19.

It’s a pain that’s hard to comprehend. What’s incredible is how they have managed to channel all the heartache into positivity and are actively bringing others into the conversation. What better than walking. Yes, 3 Dads Walking.

“Walking and talking is what we do. Smashing the stigma around mental health and suicide is our goal. With every step we remember our girls and this gives us the courage to make a difference.”

Through their big walks they honour their daughters memories, whilst bringing awareness of how suicide remains the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK, campaigning around suicide prevention and raising money for the amazing work at Papyrus.

One of the most powerful sentiments we get to see come through the Alpkit Foundation is how time outdoors can literally save lives. Joining them on their recent walk this sentiment radiated out. Not only by raising awareness but also in opening up conversations along the way. For those wanting to join them and talk, to support each other and those that are going through their own shared journeys.

“the cash raised was the by-product of the real output – saving lives and increasing the conversation around suicide”

Grassroots projects supported so far.

Every rain cloud has an Alpkit lining

Our family of technical waterproofs are tested to the limits to makes sure you aren’t.

Built to last, they’ll have your back (and front... and head) for years to come. We design our Womens and Mens jackets independently from the ground up and work with the best mills in the world to develop waterproof membranes that are not just comparable with the best but are the best for the jackets intended purpose. We are redefining innovation around performance, social justice and environmental responsibility. We were one of the first brands in the world to develop highly breathable, durable waterproof fabrics that are free from PFCs.It might be June but don’t leave the tent/hut/bunk or house without one.

So when summer days are wet. At least the rain is warmer.

Choose responsibly it’s a life long decision:

Atalanta

Hardworking waterproof designed for women. £119.99

Argonaut

Affordable, serious and cut for men. £119.99

Sigma

Versatile recycled 3 layer, multi activity, packable. £169.99

Gravitas Lightweight, ultra performance, high activity. £199.99

Fortitude Hillwalking waterproof protection. £199.99

Definition 4 season bombproof shell , tough, high altitude.£279.99

Balance Mountain waterproof, fully featured, durable. £229.99

KESSOCK FERRY

How your old gear helped Àban take local youngsters on a journey from a 25m indoor pool to the historic 1200m Kessock Ferry Swim.

Àban is a registered Scottish charity and a thriving social enterprise, offering positive outdoor adventures for young people and families in the local community in the west of Inverness.

By passing on donated outdoor equipment and clothing through Continuum, we’ve been able to help support the work they do in opening up outdoor experiences. Especially to those young people in areas where opportunities may not naturally present themselves for a number of reasons.

Combining with the Alpkit Foundation it was wonderful to help them with their swim academy, taking local youngsters on a journey from indoor pool to joining the 300 swimmers as part of re-kindling the historic Kessock Ferry swim and making it a staple of the community once again. The Kessock swim goes alongside other regular outdoor youth groups that they run, from a Girls’ Bike Club, Mountaineering Club and running Scotland’s only independent DofE Open Award group.

The work of Àban and schemes like their swim academy are a real joy to see, embedding right into the community to bring change and break down barriers that might exist. To really build on the positives of these experiences outdoors.

With your help, the Continuum Project keeps kit going. Stuff you don’t need, you’ve forgotten about, or the stuff you just don’t love anymore can be loved again and again and again…

TONNES

Continuum has now found a new home for over 8 tonnes of old kit. If you have any gear that, for what ever reason you no longer use, pass it on.

EVENTS Store

As always there’s lots going on in our stores this spring and summer! From yoga classes to gravel rides, film nights to talk from inspirational people telling of adventures large and small. Join us for a brew, a litter pick or map skills – there’s something for everyone. And if you just want to pop in for advice planning your next adventure our friendly store heros are there to help.

Scan the QR code to find out what’s going on near you this spring/summer! Find out what’s on

REPAIR STATIONS IN ALL OUR STORES

We repair all outdoor kit from any brand. Call by and see what’s possible.

really helpsEverylittle

If you are a 1% For the Planet member you can choose to donate to the Alpkit Foundation as a Non-Profit Partner and help others go nice places, do good things. One can be the magic number and really help break down barriers to access the outdoors.

Our stores

When we first started dreaming of Alpkit stores, we knew we wanted each to have their own personality. A slice of home amidst the mountains. A place where you can lose time, where you are amongst friends, arrive enthusiastic and leave feeling inspired. So come and say ‘hi’. Make yourself comfy, grab a cuppa, read a magazine, refill your water bottle and have a look at some great gear.

Scan for store locations and contact details

drop by for a brew, say Hi!

top 12 things to do at an Alpkit store...

Repair Stations, Down Wash & Reproof

School of Adventure

Continuum

Hire a boulder mat

Film & Talk Event Nights

Try before you buy Sonder scheme

Down & Neoprene

Recycling Centre

Alpkit Foundation Bike Workshop

Full Range of Alpkit products

Sit down with a free tea or coffee and recharge!

Super fast, super stiff, and rideable all day. For local trails, trail centres and enduro duty. Active and plush suspension for a bottomless feel and stability at speed that climbs well and descends flat out. Evol keeps coming back for more. Prepare to fall in love with Evol.

Spread the cost up to 36 months with V12 finance. Available to purchase with cycle to work scheme.