Hiking, Scrambling, Mountaineering, and Climbing

Any interest in a pair of la sportiva katana’s? UK10 / 44.5. Bought them at the castle shop and wore them for max 3 bouldering sessions but I just don’t get on with them. £50?

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Potentially, would it be alright to try them on before buying?

sent you a pm

The Dolomites are mad. Did a 12km loop hike / via ferrata today on the Sentiero Bonacossa. Mindblowing steep spires around every corner. Now camped up at Tre Cime with about 4000 other campervans.

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Spectacular.

If you haven't sold these yet I'd be interested to try them on as well!

Also, more generally, where are people getting their shoes resoled in London/UK. I've gotten a pair resoled once but the guy was super flakey and it took forever.

https://www.climbernews.com/where-to-get-climbing-shoes-resoled-uk/

This looks quite comprehensive.

I went with Chida in London once, I can't recommend him though.

Llanberis is great. Finish is always good and turn around is typically exactly as advised. My only hesitance in recommending is it might add more customers and slow my resoles down!

cheers all.

@Drakien that is who I was referring to previously. Radio silence for about a month before I got news re their status, bit ridiculous.

I do! Will send you a pm

Yeah same haha. The work was good though.

Has anyone here got any experience of Ice climbing and in particular with different tools? I'm keen to do more this year, but as a beginner I'm not sure what tools to buy and it's quite hard to find a shop with a decent selection.
Thinking Quarks or North Machines as they will be a bit more versatile than Nomics etc. I expect I am a way off climbing overhanging mixed routes, so I shouldn't miss the extra performance of a pure ice tool. Nomics are also ridiculously expensive, and could be rented if I really felt a route justified it.

Perhaps no need to buy anything yet? Unless you're more than beginner and you've a group of mates better than you to go climbing with (but I'm guessing not as you'd be asking them not here?). Use whatever money you have to sign up to a course with Glenmore lodge (or equal), make friends and learn.

I'm an experienced climber, have friends to go with and have had an introduction to ice climbing from a mountain guide. With the equipment, I would feel more than confident to go and top rope an ice climb in easy terrain and build experience that way. I was speaking to a friend who has Quarks and he said that I'd be better to go straight for Nomics, but I am hesitant to just trust his opinion. I'm unlikely to buy anything soon, or this winter, just interested in different opinions to build my knowledge.

Yeah fair enough. I've no idea. But the process above was what I used to get into ski touring/mountaineering and paragliding. Worked well.

I think we can sweat the gear too much, I know I do. I have nice kit and I often get left behind by people with way worse kit but better skills. Just grab anything, something, second hand and get stuck in. Just keep cash spare for training, it'll be the best place to spend it.

Yep, all completely fair points, and I'm definitely willing to spend money on guiding / tuition as well as just having all the gear. My wife and a few friends are keen on getting further in to the sport so costs can be shared somewhat.

There was a SquidCross locked up outside Boulders in Chelt last night. Had fun trying to work out who in the gym it belonged too. There was a dude in a LBK Fix Shit or Cry Trying T too but I don't think it was him as he had a kid in tow.

even had a Bike Pubes sticker on the seat tube. Kudos

Bit of an odd request:

I was looking at the Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet and Exodus packs. At 6ft3, I am right on the line between their recommended Large and XL back lengths. 

As they sell them directly and there aren't any UK dealers, I was wondering if anyone here might have either pack: The Prophet in Large, or the Exodus in Large or XL, that I could try for size one day? Returning one to the US that doesn't fit well would be a big hassle, with import taxes and shipping costs etc. 

Also happy to hear any feedback from people about the same height, if you have used either bag, and which back length you chose.

Thank you <3 

Also if anyone wants a general use hiking / trail running shoe, I just got some of these after looking for ages for something that will fit my large + wide feet:

https://www.inov-8.com/trailfly-g-270-v2-mens-trail-running-shoe

Haven't worn them outside yet, but they fit great in size 13, and I wear 4E width in Asics, so they are wide enough too.

Seem to have universally excellent reviews, and possibly better quality construction than other popular options like Altra, Topo, Hoka etc.

Can be found for much less than RRP online.

The older version is called the TerraUltra G 270. Check YouTube or Google for the list of differences (it's very similar though):

https://www.runningxpert.com/en/inov8-men-s-terraultra-g-270.html

Pm me. I’m coming back at Xmas from the US. Could roll up a bag and bring with me. If you decide it’s not the right size, I can take it back with me and return it for you, and you can order the correct size to the UK directly from MLD. Or just email Ron - he is very responsive. Or ask on r/ultralight.

That's very kind, thank you. I'll send you a message.

I messaged a seller on eBay who sold an XL Exodus, and he said he's 6ft3 and it fit him well.

All depends on leg/torso proportion though, right? I'd wanna know his torso measurement rather than just his height. Also with a frameless pack, it depends on how you want it to ride. I know people who should take an 18"/medium frameless pack but they wear a 16"/small because they like it to ride higher up their back.... But yes, feel free to reach out. Flying back on the 18th.

True yes. Those packs have hip belts which I would always use, so the correct length is more important than for someone who doesn't mind the pack sitting higher up their back, or doesn't use a pack with a hip belt.

Just ordered Atom+40 & Roo Zero Waste bag as my Xmas gifts from the credit card company.

Beans on toast for the family meal ob the 25th will be ok, right?