outdoor adventure guide 85
TESTED
Adventure proof cameras Top 10 daypacks All-season tents
E GET OUT THER
Walk Wainwright’s coast to coast Stay in a windmill Europe’s Grand Canyon
FREE! Coleman gas stove worth £29.99!
See page 46
rghaus e B f o r a pai king boots wal 160! £ h t r o w It’s what weekends are made for
Spring into
action! Go bike camping in the Peak District, build your own leaf shelter, shelter, and be a whitewater kayaking know-all
Issue 85 £3.75 / US $12.00 / AUS $13.50 / CAN $13.50
PLUS: Fishing for Spanish monsters in Extremadura! OAG #85 Cover.indd 1
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contents 008 Curios
The latest happenings in the great big world of the outdoors
012 Inspiration diary Thawed out? Good. Here are some ideas to get you moving again
016 Shiny & new Win a pair of Berghaus boots worth £120!
84
28
020 Used & abused
WA
En sEtoveE?! R F ma RIB ole SC e 46 SUBSee pag
The OAG’s guide to alternative digs beds down in a windmill
C
026 The motorcycle diaries Zig-zagging down the country on a 150mph sportsbike
E THIS?
024 Stay in a...
sa plu
LIK
Our outdoor wares tested to destruction
MORE T N
028 How to... ...build a shelter from leaves
032 Make a break Jonny Richards samples the thrill of running a half-marathon to live music
036 Walk coast to coast Hannah Engelkamp walks Wainwright’s famous 190 mile cross-country route
047 Europe’s Grand Canyon Paddling through the Ardeche
052 It’s what bikes were made for When is a mountain bike not a bike? When it’s a tent...
057 Extremadura fishing Steve Herbert catches the fishing bug in rural Spain
36
063 Paddlesport The OAG’s complete guide to whitewater kayaking
077 Gear
78 10 of the best: daypacks 0 084 Adventure-proof cameras get down and dirty 089 10 all-season tents rated
16
57
098 Telegrams What we’ve been up to since issue 84
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wakey wakey!
Published by Fall-Line Media Ltd South Wing, Broadway Court, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RP Tel: 01733 293250 Fax: 01733 293269 Email: info@fall-line.co.uk Editor Rich Beach rich.beach@outdooradventureguide.co.uk Art director/production Steve Herbert steve@fall-line.co.uk Senior editor Rachel Devlin rachel@fall-line.co.uk Deputy editor Andy Cremin andy@fall-line.co.uk Supplement editor Ben Love Ad production Cremin Heavy Industries Cover photo Richard Seipp/ Qwertyphoto.com
Ready to leave your cave? PHOTO THE BOCHENEK FAMILY
If you managed to gorge yourself on fatty sockeye salmon at the start of winter and have just woken up in time for spring, and a hearty breakfast, then you’re probably a bear. The rest of us, however, have had to endure a particularly nasty winter, dressed in more layers than an onion and have spent more time cleaning muddy boots (and dogs) than is healthy. Despite the fun of splashing through the mud, playing in the snow and walking on a few crisp, sunny weekend days, let’s face it, no one is sorry to see spring arrive and the days grow longer. So, to help you escape your inner cave, we’ve got another exciting issue packed with ideas for getting out there and making the most of the extra hours of daylight, including how to fish like a bear. Well, bears that charter fishing boats in the lakes of central Spain and swap salmon for monster barbel, that is (page 57). If you’re thinking of escaping for a long weekend of adventure, may we recommend the Ardeche? Read about how Rhys Thwaites-Jones jumped on a train in London one day and was canoeing through ‘Europe’s Grand Canyon’ the next (page 47). And if it’s a UK break with a difference you’re after, then why not stay in a
windmill? See page 22 for the first in our series of unusual places to stay in. Hannah Engelkamp offers some advice on retracing Alfred Wainwright’s footsteps, walking coast to coast, on page 36; our paddlesport special, from page 63, will make you a whitewater expert; and our publisher heads into the Peaks to extol the joys of mountain bike camping, on page 52. And to give you a head start out there, we’ve reviewed the latest adventure-proof compact cameras, the toughest all-weather tents, and inspected the best daypacks, so you don’t have to. With our guide to building a leaf shelter on page 28, a free compact stove for all subscribers (see page 46), and a pair of new Berghaus boots up for grabs, you’re all set to spring into action. As sure as bears do their business in the woods, your adventures in the great outdoors start here... Enjoy!
Advertising executive Greg Hancock greg@fall-line.co.uk 01733 293 253 Office manager Susan Williams susan@fall-line.co.uk 01733 293 251 Administrator Kerry Beasley kerry@fall-line.co.uk Marketing manager Elaine McMurray elaine@fall-line.co.uk Publisher Richard Fincher richard@fall-line.co.uk Copyright Fall-Line Media Limited, South Wing, Broadway Court, Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1RS Printed by St Ives PLC Reproduction by Fall-Line Media Ltd No liability is accepted for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor are any guarantees given by the magazine. Copyright worldwide of original material is held by Fall-Line Media Limited, and permission must be obtained for any use, transmission, storage or reproduction. Publication does not imply that the opinions are shared by Fall-Line Media Ltd. Fall-Line Media Limited assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of contributed material. We cannot accept responsibility whatsoever for product or samples submitted to us for review – please make sure any such items are insured to their full value.
Rich Beach P.S. Outdoor Adventure Guide is now bi-monthly, with four seasons of ideas and inspiration to make the most of your free time.
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190 miles, 15 days, 3181 feet and one question: would you
Walk coast to coast? Would you do it for the views, the challenge, the exercise or the zen-like calm and hearty appetite? Hannah Engelkamp on word duty and Sarah Steinhardt on picture duty head off on Wainwright’s famous coast to coast route to consider in some serious depth whether they actually like walking. And if they do, then why?
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“What are we doing today?” became the regular question, delivered deadpan every morning by whichever of us had got in first. “Walking” came the monotone reply from the other one, probably not bothering to look up from one of the morning chores – refilling water bottles in B&B basins, sharing out snacks into eat-today and eat-later piles, packing Deep Heat and waterproofs, the hipflask, the maps, the boiled sweets, the sketchpad (untouched), and the indispensable Wainwright Guide, into the day bag. If we were feeling particularly tired and sore, we'd follow with: “And then?” “More walking,” was the response. Sometimes we'd mix it up a bit, with a “What are we doing
tomorrow?” whilst sitting wobbly legged in a pub, rehydrating with real ale at the end of a day's walk. “Walking” the answer would come, as inevitably as the act itself. Our favourite joke is that we're not entirely sure we like walking. It is quite samey. You'd be entitled to ask what on earth had lead us to give up two weeks of our lives to embark on the coast to coast walk – the 190-mile crossing of England, from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast, to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. Check the map – it's not even the narrowest bit. On this day we're happy though – we've found a tea shop a mere hour into the day's walk and we’re eating scones and cream in a
walled garden by the steep street that winds through Grosmont. Little do we know we're about to have to drag our full stomachs up 900m, the last climb of the walk, onto Sleights Moor, the last plateau from which we'll be able to see the North Sea, and the finishing line. On goes another dollop of clotted cream – we're feeling rather sinewy and tough by now. It's only been an hour since breakfast (the first time we'd declined the full English option in a B&B – it seems 13 full Englishs in a row might be the limit). It's the last day, and we're reflecting on the two weeks gone by. One thing is for certain, if you want to be really truly aware of every day of your holiday, do a long walk.
Looking out over the Buttermere Valley, Cumbria
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The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fibre and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing JOHN MUIR
Whitewater kayaking How to do it, where to do it, and why you should get paddling in the rapids
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Why paddle...?
Whitewater freestyling; learning the tricks of the trade
Step your paddling up a gear and head for the whitewater Once you have the equipment, and you’ve received the necessary instruction, whitewater kayaking is not an expensive sport but it is one that has an incredibly supportive community... and, more importantly, it’s a lot of adrenaline-inducing fun. It’s also a sport that, competitively speaking, the UK is very good at. And, as a young person, if you become a proficient whitewater kayaker, then you can do as many paddlers do and work around the world as a river guide during the summer months while you are studying – not bad as student jobs go! Stand on a bridge over any popular whitewater river in the UK and you’ll see paddlers of every age, size and social background passing below you, all equal in their love for the river and their sport. In England and Wales, the upland rivers popular with whitewater kayakers are also popular with game fishermen and access is often denied to the paddlers, although many rivers now have agreements that allow them to be used during the ‘fishing closed’ season. However, it’s a window that is not popular with many paddlers and the Welsh Canoe Association has launched the ‘Kayaking is
Not a Crime’ campaign to fight for better recreational access to rivers. In the UK, the majority of rivers are rain fed and, therefore, usually at their best paddling levels during the winter months, although this is obviously dependent upon the vagaries of British weather! The rivers that are dam controlled normally have decent paddling levels all year round, depending on the level of the reservoir and the corresponding volume of water being released, of course.
WHITEWATER DISCIPLINES ➲ Slalom: Competitors complete a timed descent of a course set in a section of rapids where they have to navigate through sets of gates (these are poles suspended above the water). Similar to ski slalom, the course is a test of skill, with penalties for missing or colliding with gates. Slalom is also an Olympic discipline and there are high expectations for the British team in the forthcoming London Olympics. ➲ Whitewater racing: Not as popular now as it once was, the participants compete against each other over courses of moderate whitewater in specially designed boats. ➲ Freestyle or playboating: Paddlers compete against each other on a whitewater feature performing as many tricks and moves as possible
to win points. The UK has won many medals in this discipline. ➲ Extreme racing: Extreme racing takes place on a course of difficult whitewater, often with a substantial drop in gradient and in specialist whitewater kayaks. This is a very exciting discipline to watch ➲ Recreational: The name given to the legions of ‘weekend warriors’ who hit the whitewater rivers of the UK in their boats every weekend throughout the winter. ➲ Expedition: Pioneering first and multi-day descents of challenging rivers throughout the world, often self-sufficient and sometimes with raft support.
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10 OF THE BEST
DAYPACKS
Everyone who sets out into the wilderness – be it the mountains or the local fields – needs a small, lightweight pack to carry a day’s essentials
USING OUR LkeOneAedFs
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Owning a giant metal-framed backpack that can hold a fortnight’s kit and block the passageway of busy continental commuter trains is all well and good if you’re touring around Europe. But we all need a lightweight pack for the more regular day trips, so we’ve worn, packed and prodded a selection of bags for all budgets to bring you this buying guide.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
1
Capacity: think about what you will use your pack for and how much stuff you’ll need. There’s no point mountain biking with a 30 litre bag that’ll just get in the way.
2
Back venting: look for extra venting around the back area, ranging from simple channels cut into the back padding to trampoline-style mesh venting.
3
Hydration compatible: check that your bag has a pocket to hold the water bag and a sleeve to hide the drinking tube away.
4
Straps: check for padding and venting on the main shoulder straps, also check for sternum and, more importantly, waist straps.
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gear DAYPACKS
21
BERGHAUS FREEFLOW PRO 20 £90
MALT
LOAVE S
CAPACITY 20 litres WEIGHT 1.162 kg COMPARTMENTS 2 HYDRATION COMPATIBLE Yes The whole pack is built to keep things light and airy, with mesh strapping on the waist and shoulder straps designed to minimise sweat and boost comfort. The FreeFlow Pro back system is a definite winner, using an external aluminium frame and mesh back to hold the pack away from the body, keeping the air moving. This new version of the FreeFlow back venting has been built to sit a little closer to the body and improve stability too. External pockets come in the form of a couple of easy-access stretch numbers on the side, and a larger stretch pocket on the front of the
The FreeFlow Pro back system
Built to keep things light and airy
BEST FOR T
main compartment. There are also a couple of walking pole holders and a stowaway rain cover. www.berghaus.com
ECH
26
COLEMAN PACK’N COOL 30 £40
MALT
LOAVE S
CAPACITY 30 litres WEIGHT 0.931 kg COMPARTMENTS 1 HYDRATION COMPATIBLE No A little different to the rest, built with the snack hungry in mind. The main feature has to be the cool store space pocket that should hold a couple of bottles of wine in chilled luxury – perfect for a day of heavy physical activity. To add to the leisure element, there’s a padded pocket for an mp3 player tucked away inside. There are a couple of external stretch pockets for more bottles and the like. In fact, in total, there are three external pockets, two side mesh ones, and two internal pockets, on top of the cool store pocket and MP3 storage space. But there are no cheat or
The insulated cool store pocket. Anyone for a glass of wine?
Built with the snack hungry in mind waist straps, or clever back venting. Definitely one for a day out, rather than any crazy mountain hiking. www.coleman.eu/UK
BEST FOR FA MILY
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EXTREME EXPOSURE:
Super tough cameras Need a tough, weatherproof compact camera for your adventures? Here are five of the best…
17 18 17 17 17 /20 /20 /20 /20 /20 17 18 17 17 18 /20 /20 /20 /20 /20 19 18 17 17 17 /20 /20 /20 /20 /20 19 18 18 18 17 /20 /20 /20 /20 /20
MORE T N SA PLU
ETOVE? E R S FMAN IBE!
46 SE PCAR GE B U S SE
E COL
E THIS?
17 18 16 16 17 /20 /20 /20 /20 /20
WA
VALUE
QUALITY
DESIGN
We’ve scored the performance in five categories with a maximum score of 20 for each:
FEATURES
HOW ARE THEY SCORED
PERFORMANCE
There was a time when using your digital camera anywhere other than dry land and in clean conditions meant unwieldy, and often expensive, housings to keep the elements out. Either that or you could buy yourself a specialist camera that again would prove expensive and perform less than optimally away from the mud and water. However, improvements in technology and camera design mean the market is now awash with compact cameras that can withstand all that a soggy camping trip, mountain adventure, or summer seaside holiday could throw at them, including water resistance, shock resistance, freeze-proofing and even crushproofing in some. So, if you’re looking to take a camera with you on your next adventure – be it a canoeing trip, pot-holing expedition, wild swimming adventure, or simply messing around in the sea – it’s easier than ever to capture those special moments. We test five of the best, and round up a range of accessories.
LIK
© PAUL NUTTALL / WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA/ IPC + SYNDICATION MAIN PHOTO STEVE HERBERT
TESTED BY PAUL NUTTALL, WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA
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gear
ADVENTURE CAMERAS
PENTAX OPTIO W60 £170
WATERPROOF 4m FREEZEPROOF -10° C www.pentax.co.uk
Thanks to the presence of Pentax’s ‘Super Protect’ coating, the Optio W60 is not just waterproof, but also freezeproof – operating in conditions right down to -10 °C. It’s waterproof to a depth of 4m – more than enough for most casual use situations. The Super Protect coating also helps to prevent the formation of water droplets on the lens, again useful when shooting in water. The conventional capture side of the W60 comprises a 1/2.3in CCD sensor, outputting some 10MP, while the W60
also benefits from a 5x optical zoom with a wideangle of 28mm – perfect for scenic landscapes and confined spaces. A 2.5in LCD screen offers a 230k dot resolution, which is adequate but by no means the best in its class. Unlike other cameras, the design hasn’t been specifically adapted for the water, and as such the buttons can be a
touch difficult to operate when splashing around. However, this does mean the camera is as suited to use out of the water as well as in. Image quality is generally good. Fringing is evident, but is by no means intrusive, and the W60 controls noise well. Tone and colour rendition is also good, with both displayed accurately.
85 /100
WHAT WE LIKE PENTAX OPTIO NAME: Rachel Devlin TITLE: Senior editor SKILL LEVEL: Incompetent gadget technophobe
Images seem very good, nice and sharp and more importantly for me, being useless with technology, it was very intuitive to use.
OLYMPUS MJU 8000 TOUGH £280 WATERPROOF 10m SHOCKPROOF 2m FREEZEPROOF -10° C CRUSHPROOF 100kg www.olympus.co.uk
The Olympus Mju Tough series is the old warhorse of the waterproof, and ‘lifeproof’, camera category. The range has long offered resistance to all that life can throw at it, and the Mju Tough 8000 is no different. The model offers waterproofing to a category-leading 10m, is freezeproof to -10°C, shockproof to a 2m fall and can withstand a weight of up to 100kg. Apart from its bulletproof design and nature, the Tough 8000 packs a decent
imaging spec as well. It features a 2.7in HyperCrystal III LCD, a 12.1MP sensor and 3.6x optical zoom featuring a 28mm wideangle in equivalent terms. It also has an innovative touch control system whereby a simple tap or two on the edges of the camera’s frame allows control over the basic camera operation. The 8000 is quite weighty and has the feeling of a camera that
you could bang a nail in with. This is a real blessing if you are looking for a rugged camera that will take a knock but it can really weigh you down in the water. In use, focus and capture are fast enough; however, the size and arrangement of the buttons aren’t particularly usable in water, or if /100 you’re in an action situation.
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TOUGH OLYMPUS MJU 8000 NAME: Andy Cremin TITLE: Assistant editor SKILL LEVEL: Gadget grabbing technophile
Bit fiddly to operate. I’m not very patient and the small buttons annoyed me. It had a good LCD screen, though. Outdoor adventure guide
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