Dartmoor Perambulation

I'm off to Dartmoor on Sunday afternoon for my Dartmoor Perambulation. This will be my first backpacking trip since my Edale to Grasmere walk (up the Pennine Way over the Yorkshire Three Peaks & Howgills under the M6 into the Lake District) back in June.
Earlier this year some friends of mine from the Dorset group of The Backpackers Club did a walk led by John Yale based on "The Ancient Boundary Walk of Dartmoor" devised by Ian Kirkpatrick. Unfortunately due to other commitments I was unable to join them. You can read Trevor's account part 1 here & part 2 here . John has kindly passed on his printouts of the route so that I can follow in their footsteps,or as closely as the M.O.D. will allow as they have live firing on the Okehampton range during next week.
I am planning a more laid back walk than usual with daily mileages of around 10-12 miles a day and will probably wild camp most nights,but I may be tempted by the campsite in Princetown. The weather man says that I have better weather next week,so I am looking forward to clear crisp autumnal days.  

Paramo Pasco Jacket

I have just seen this interesting jacket on the Paramo Covent Garden Store Facebook page


"The Pasco is cut on the same pattern as the Quito so same features but the left hand internal mesh pocket is substituted for the external napoleon OS map sized working pocket. The outer fabric is also the regular weight not the light weight from the Quito for extra abrasion resistance."


Its only available from the Paramo Covent Garden store at the moment.
Do I need another Paramo jacket?........

Backpackers Winter Get-together

If you are interested in backpacking and are free between Friday 13th January and Sunday 15th January you are welcome to join us at Church Farm,Sixpenny Handley on the Dorset,Wiltshire,Hampshire borders where a number of us from The Backpackers Club will be meeting up.We won't be backpacking as this is a "static" weekend but there will be a walk via Penbury Knoll and Woodyates led by John Yale on Saturday or you can do your own walk if you wish.
There is a Bar open on the Campsite serving Fish & Chips which is open on Fridays only during the winter.In the nearby village there is the Roebuck Inn which also serves food and there is also a well stocked village store so you won't go hungry!
It is £7 per person per night and there is no need to book in advance as there will be plenty of room for everyone.

Cranborne Chase Dorset Winter Static

As the coordinator of the Dorset group of the Backpackers Club I am hoping to put on at least three Dorset events a year. A Winter Static,A Spring Weekend Backpack and an Autumn Weekend Backpack all within the County of Dorset.

I am also looking at the possibility of reviving the "Dorset Round" a summer week long backpack which was first arranged by Trevor Woodford. I would like to find a network of small campsites and friendly farmers which we could use. After a peaceful day walking in the Dorset countryside we don't want to be camping amongst hordes of screaming kids! If you have any sites in mind please do get in touch with me.

These are the details of Dorset Winter Static 2012 

January 13-15 2012 Cranborne Chase Dorset Winter Static

Maps: LR 184 or EX 118

Pitch: ST996173 
Church Farm,Sixpenny Handley,Nr Salisbury,Wiltshire SP5 5ND 

Tel: 01725 552563  www.churchfarmcandcpark.co.uk

Pitch fee £7 per person per night 

Saturday: Walk via Penbury Knoll and Woodyates 16km (10 miles) led by John Yale

Gareth from the Dorset based online outdoor retailer Webtogs will be joining us and he will be bringing along some new kit to show us including an inflatable tent by Nemo.

Berghaus Arisdale Jacket

I have been sent the new Berghaus Arisdale 3 in 1 Jacket  from their range of  Waterproof Jackets to review. Berghaus offers a range of men’s, women’s and children’s outdoor clothing and equipment including: waterproof jackets, fleeces, baselayers and legwear. They also produce a selection of outdoor specific accessories and footwear.

"The Berghaus Arisdale 3-in-1 Jacket is new for this season. It uses Gore's tried and tested 2-Layer Performance Shell for waterproof, breathable and windproof protection. The inner jacker has been made with an AT Classic fleece for excellent warmth and heat retention. The Arisdale features a roll away hood with peak and volume adjuster. It also features Pit Zip ventilation for optimum breathability. Theres also ample room to store smaller accessories and essentials with an external chest pocket, two zipped hand pockets, internal security pocket and two zipped hand pockets in the inner jacket. The inner jacker also includes stretch bound cuffs for extra comfort. The Berghaus Men's Arisdale 3-in-1 Jacket comes in three colours; Thunder, Extrem Blue and Olive Tree."  from Berghaus


When I opened the package my first thoughts were that this was a heavy jacket. The website says its 1216g for jacket and fleece. As you can see Its a very contemporary looking jacket and would look great around town. I see that it is being stocked by  Next.
I was surprised to find that the sleeves of the removable fleece were lined and felt rather restrictive.The fleece appears to be a 200 weight fleece and  Berghaus refer to it as AT-Classic. It has bound cuffs and neck and two hand warmer pockets.As you can see below it is a smart looking jacket which could be worn on its own.

The main outer jacket has a mesh lining and a large inner mesh pocket large enough to store a OS map but this pocket is not assessable when the fleece is zipped in.There are two lower hand warming pockets and a small chest pocket.The hood is the fold away type with a laminated peak. there is hook and loop cuffs and elastic hem adjustment. But the main feature in my eyes is the pit zips to help keep you at a comfortable temperature.

My Opinion
The high tech Berghaus Arisdale jacket is a functional and stylish jacket for about town and would also be suitable for serious outdoor action.So if you are looking to buy just one jacket this could be the one for you.

Dorset Backpackers

As you may already be aware I have taken over as co-ordinator for the Dorset group of the Backpackers Club.

To help us in planning events I have decided to have a regular pub meet.

The second thursday of the month is our regular "Gear and Beer" night. We meet at 8pm at the Horse and Jockey 1118 Wimborne Road Muscliffe Bournemouth BH10 7AA The Cotswold Outdoor store is just at the other side of the traffic lights and has late night opening every thursday evening until 8pm so make the most of your Backpackers Club members discount and then join us in the pub! All are very welcome to join us especially new or prospective members. 

Dartmoor Backpack

This weekend I had a chance to join a group from The Backpackers Club led by Dave Britton for a backpack on Dartmoor. Brian and Jill who live near to me in Bournemouth kindly offered to give me a lift up on Friday and I had a great time in their company.
We met up with the others at Huccaby Farm in Hexworthy where we camped on the Friday night in the lower field by the river.

The early arrivals.

On the Saturday morning eight of us set out taking an easterly route over the moors towards Warren House Inn where we spent the night on the moors to the north of the Inn.

Gandalf re-joins us after talking with the Ents

On Sunday morning we took a more direct route back to Hexworthy.

Jill and Brian with the Warren House Inn behind.