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Triumph over the Waves: The Ultimate Guide to Sea Kayaking
Sea Kayaking is a challenging and potentially dangerous endeavour, requiring careful preparation and the right equipment. Among my experiences of sea/touring kayaking include paddling from Dungeness, UK to Boulogne, France both ways and the Great Glen Canoe Trail. Here is my basic kit list for such an adventure: Kayak and Paddles Sea Kayak: A high-quality sea kayak designed for open water, preferably one with a length of 14-18 feet, 22 to 24 inches wide, designed for stability and speed. Day Touring Kayak: An average size is of 12 to 14 feet long and 24 to 28 inches wide. Ideal qualities needed are “easy entry and all-day comfort”. Paddle: A strong…
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Camping / Equipment & Accessories, Climbing, Climbing / Caving, Critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive an Adventure, Essential Rope Knots, How To's, Mountaineering, My Blog
Locking Screwgate Carabiners: The Ultimate Safety Gear for Secure Climbing
Locking Screwgate Carabiners / Karabiners serve as essential tools for climbers and mountaineers, facilitating the secure connection of various equipment pieces, thereby ensuring their safety during ascents. Typically crafted from durable metal, these versatile devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though commonly feature an oval design with a spring-loaded clip mechanism, ensuring firm closure unless intentionally opened. They have a wide range of uses across various activities and industries, including: Climbing and Mountaineering: Carabiners are crucial for connecting ropes to harnesses, securing climbers to anchors, creating belay systems, and linking different pieces of climbing equipment such as cams, nuts, and quickdraws. Rigging and Rope Work: They are…
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Choose the Best Outdoor Cooking Set for Your Next Adventure
Your Compact Companion for Wild Camping, Backpacking and Travelers who need to pack urgently, this all-in-one cooking set ensures you have everything you need to get some grub cooking! The complete cooking set is simple to use and packs down compactly, elevating your outdoor experience. Meticulously crafted for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone captivated by the allure of the great outdoors, this set is designed to complement the spirit of exploration. Whether you’re trekking through rugged terrain or unwinding at a picturesque campsite, this versatile kit is your steadfast companion. Boiling water or conjuring a satisfying meal becomes a swift affair with the all-inclusive tools and gear provided. Ready to…
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Essential Guide to Due Diligence: What You Need to Know Pre-Adventurers
Prioritizing health and safety is essential in any endeavor, particularly in adventurous activities where risks abound. Comprehensive risk assessments are mandatory for all such undertakings, particularly in challenging environments like mountainous terrain or during intense activities such as an Atlantic row. Ignoring safety protocols in these scenarios may result in dire consequences. Drawing from personal reflections, poignant events such as the unfortunate loss of a fellow oarsman during the Atlantic row in 2016 and the notable dropout rate in Rugby on Everest 2019 have profoundly shaped my outlook. The tragic incident underscores the importance of ensuring comprehensive safety measures are in place. The Skipper and owner of the vessel faced…
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Mobile Phone: Useful Tips and Best Practices for Maximum Protection
In today’s interconnected world, effective ‘communication’ takes center stage. My colleagues and I have taken our mobile phones to diverse environments and engaged in a wide array of activities. From the icy reaches of the North Pole to the scorching sands of the Sahara Desert, we’ve braved it all. Our phones have accompanied us on water-based adventures such as kayaking and swimming, and they’ve even faced the arduous ascents of Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. Our mobile phones require robust protection against a range of elements, encompassing water, sand, snow, and shocks, while still maintaining seamless functionality for speaking, listening, and dialing. Kevlar mobile phone cases offer several advantages, one…
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Epic London 2 Paris Rowing Challenge : A Journey to Remember
The London 2 Paris Rowing Challenge in 2010 required extreme physical endurance and considerable mental strength. It’s the perfect example of open water rowing’s most demanding aspects; a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I looked forward to an interesting and equally punishing journey from Big Ben, down along the River Thames, across the English Channel to La Havre and up the Seine to the finish at the Eiffel tower, a distance of 440 nautical miles. We rowed an old-fashioned traditional Thames Waterman Cutter; 34ft long, with a beam of 4ft 6”, in timber (clinker-built). We started from Big Ben, London, rowing our Thames Cutter towards the sea. Rotating six rowers…
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How to Choose Best Gear for Water Activities and Conditions
Wetsuits are specialized garments designed for various water-related activities, such as surfing, diving, snorkeling, and triathlons. They offer several benefits to individuals participating in these activities, primarily by providing thermal insulation and protection. Here are some of the key benefits of wearing a wetsuit: It’s important to choose the right wetsuit for your specific activity and water conditions to maximize these benefits. The fit and thickness of the wetsuit should be selected based on the water temperature, the duration of your activity, and your personal comfort preferences. Picture shows a full latex Turbo Cag / Jacket, my preference. Rash Vest The Rash Vest is a type of clothing that can…
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First Aid Kit Essentials: The Best Items for Your Adventure
Always carry a First Aid Kit on any impromptu or guided outdoor adventure! First Aid Kit / Medical Kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give immediate medical treatment, primarily to treat minor injuries, such as cuts, burns, blisters, sprains, and insect bites, as well as provide some relief for pain, fever, diarrhoea, and allergies. A first aid kit can also help you prevent infections and stop bleeding in case of more serious wounds. There are many types of first aid kits available, depending on your needs and preferences; especially if you are travelling to remote areas or engaging in outdoor activities.. Some fundamentals to consider when choosing…
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Explore the Challenge of Kayaking the Great Glen Way
The Great Glen Way gives the adventurous a unique opportunity to paddle from the Atlantic to the North Sea; traverse across the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Inverness. Myself and four friends took on the multi-day challenge……in single Kayaks. I’m so proud of my team – we nailed it ! 12th June – 16th June 2023 Mark ‘Ackers’ Ackred : Clay Smith : Rob Callaway : Roger Davies : Jon Ingarfield An early morning start on Loch Oich. In the late afternoon we had “Lightning”…. It’s recommended to get ashore and away from the water asap. I agreed, because water will transmit lightning strikes from further away, so the quicker you…
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Signal Mirror: Essential in Lost and Rescues Survival Situations
A Reflective Survival Mirror stands out as your ultimate Emergency Sun Reflective Tool ; it’s a “Mayday Signaling Device.” The Signal Mirror—an often overlooked, despite our reliance on mobile phones, simple and practical tools like this can be lifesavers in unforeseen situations. Crafted from top-tier reflective materials, the signal mirror rescue delivers an exceptionally bright and visible reflection, ensuring optimal effectiveness in signaling rescuers during emergencies. Its durable construction guarantees longevity, making it a reliable tool in critical situations This indispensable tool belongs in every survival kit, boasting an extraordinary capacity to broadcast signals visible at distances of up to 10 miles. In an emergency, it serves as a beacon that captures the…
