Hiking, Scrambling, Mountaineering, and Climbing

Just came back from the Calanques near Marseille. Such a great area, especially for multipitch rock climbing

Are there any wear-all-day waterproof trousers that are actually any good? Or am I better off just accepting the boil-in-the bag effect of shell trousers?

Based in Scotland, so rain is a high probability in all seasons. So far I've got away with various shorts/tights combos and hardshell over the top when it starts chucking it down.

The Berghaus Deluge waterproofs are good. They zip all the way up the sides so easy to get over boots and have pop buttons so ventilation is easy when it's wet and humid.

Just seen this! Nice one. How remote is it?

There are plenty of thru-hiking I'd recommend, mostly in South America as I loved our 4 months in Patagonia, but have unfinished business there. Huaraz, with the Huascarán National Park and Huayhuash around the corner is really suited for some long treks as well.

On the other hand of the spectrum also plenty of stuff in Europe sounds amazing, like the different high routes in the Alps and Pyrenees, probably more drawn to the latter of the two because usually less busy.

A bit less popular to the East, but there are loads of bothies in the Tatras that could be linked in a big trek and the Caucasus has definitely got my attention too.

My current dream is Tajikistan though.

It was remote in the context of California - the hike doesn't cross a road, and we were 4 days walk away from any sort of civilisation (i.e. a car park) at some points. It's a popular trail as it forms part of the Pacific Crest Trail so we were seeing c.10 people per day :)

The Tatras look really cool. Not considered them and I'm keen to do some Euro-hiking.

I have an as yet unused "rain kilt" that apparently solves the breathability question by being a skirt!

No idea if it's actually practical though. Would have to use gaiters as well if it was really wet.

We spent a bit of time on the Hornli ridge on the Matterhorn today. The plan was to see if we could get to the hut but soon gave up and turned round due to the conditions.

It's so fucking warm here at the moment. It's half ten at night and it's above freezing at 3000m. Lots has been said about increased risks to climbers due to melting permafrost but to hear and see rock slides above glaciers in mid Jan while wearing a t-shirt and no gloves is a new experience for me. Our climate is fucked.

Quick mountain wildlife update.

In the last week we have seen a Bearded Vulture and a Lynx. Both critically endangered and with estimated numbers below 150 in the Alps.

We feel very, very, privileged.

Anyone have any recommendations for Snowdonia? Going in early April, looking for day walks. The group doesn't mind length or elevation much but has very limited ability or will towards "scrambling" or anything more technical. Will have a car for transport. Staying in Llanwrst.

Also interested if there are any public transport accessible "things to do" for any members of the group who might not feel up to a walk for whatever reason. Cafes/nice pubs/karaoke/wild swimming (in april??) etc.

In return I offer my fav walk in the Lake district:

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/2294079/Trail-magazine-August-18-Red-Screes-and-Wansfell-Lake-District

changing scenery, good start and end location, nice challenge.

also this:

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/518272/AA-Walks-Over-Muncaster-Fell

A nice walk because you can walk it, some people can catch the steam railway back, and others can carry on to walk

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/516142/AA-Walks-From-Eskdale-to-Miterdale

or

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/518392/AA-Walks-On-to-Burnmoor-Tarn

I've got some Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots, UK 10, for sells. I got these a couple of years ago but their 10 comes up as 44.5 - too narrow for me but I missed the return period.

I haven't worn these outside. Currently in Glasgow. Will shift these for £120 plus postage if anyone's interested?

Yeah, avoid Snowdon! I did a walk last year that went up to Glyder Fach from Pen-y-Gwryd then took in Glyder Fach, Y Garn, Foel Goch and Elidir Fawr and back down to Nant Peris. Glyder Fach is totally worth the climb - it has some incredible rock formations at the summit. You get great views of Tryfan and Llyn Idwal, and there's an entertaining descent from Glyder Fawr down to Llyn-y-Cwn which is challenging without going over the line. The range is on the opposite side of the A4086 to Snowdon, so it has some pretty handy public transport options / parking spots you can make use of (you could park in Nant Peris, for instance, and then get a bus to the start of your walk). There's also a decent pub in Nant Peris which makes a great end of the walk destination. I've got a gpx file somewhere if that would be of interest, although I'd probably do it differently and maybe cut out going up Elidir Fawr in favour of taking some time to explore the Devil's Kitchen.

Give Moel Siabod a try, can start and finish at the cafe, much quieter than Snowdon. There's a nice easy walk around Cwm Idwal, or hit up Pen-yr-Ole-Wen if you're keen for a mountain around there. For a longer jaunt, have a look at the Oggie 8, takes 12 hours to do but you can do the first half (north side of the Ogwen) on it's own which is considerably shorter. Aber Falls is also worth a day out, and the walks around Sychnant Pass too.

For the less keen, head to Llandudno for the Orme and a couple of great taprooms, or Conwy for lots of nice pubs/cafes/great castle/seaside scenery.

@Eejit's suggestions are great too. Let me know if you have a particular place in mind, I used to live around there.

Can't offer any Wales tips but I'm up to Ambleside in couple of weeks, will give Red Screes a go!

Blea Tarn is a decent wild swimming option if you're doing the "on to burnmore tarn" walk and don't mind doing the rest of the walk with soggy underpants (was fine for me)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLclMnP9b3JDcBsVn0kZ184bP5I82HSNW2

essential listening.

Thanks for the hints Chris and Eejit, will no doubt ask more nearer to the time.

I know it's somewhat a moving target, but do you have any idea of the range of weather conditions? Just to give the group a vague idea. I was saying waterproof jackets/trousers/boots will be essential but have said they probably won't need thermal base layers. (obviously will need insulation layers etc but not the full long john set up)

Keep an eye on the weather closer to the time. Usually not too cold that time of year but I've seen two foot of snow fall in Snowdonia in March and April. Unlikely but gives you an idea that it can be a lot colder than expected.

Paramo Cascadia - https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/product/?pk=DC2EC91F-F3F3-4415-9949-D46BFE7B7BE5&attributes=5A01410B-7BF6-46CC-8A97-FFEA0A577F6E

They are great for exactly what you’ve described in my experience. I tend to wear long johns under them.

Was interested in these. What kind of temperatures are you wearing them at?

I have a pair of swrve waterproof softshell trousers which are basically too warm for anything above 5 degrees

With long johns, I’ve done from a few degrees below to about 8-10. I like wearing long johns even up to nearly 10 degrees though. Wicks sweat away and feel nicer overall to me anyway. You can basically unzip the whole side leg though, poppers keep it together, which really helps cooling. I would wear them on their own when above 10.
Not sure if that helps, and everyone’s different when it comes to running hot/cold, and if you prefer to be a bit on the chilly or warm side of comfortable.

A few nope moments in this:

https://youtu.be/6dgm5MQPGz8

Honestly early April could be anywhere from full winter conditions to 10-15+ºC, bring waterproofs and a sturdy pair of shoes just in case it's wet. Metcheck's long range forecast can be a good(ish) indicator, but it's often changeable in the mountains.

Amazing. He really is the best.

At the start Killian's talking about it being just scrambling, when he's descending and hopping to swap feet looks pretty "climb-ey" to me! It's interesting listening to him talking about risk and his attitude. There's a podcast where they discuss it, might be this Rich Roll one.

Love the skiing down the snow patch then straight into running over the rocks. Will have to give that a go!

Jornet is a fucking machine. It's pretty depressing to hear all of the suspicions about his Everest summits. Personally, I just consider it noise. He doesn't strike me as the sort of chap who needs or wants to cheat. Its not like there's a lot of money in Skimo as a motivator.

I know one of the top ten sky runners and skimo people pretty well. From chats with him, I don't think Jornet's rivals are suspicious of him in any way.

Any recommendations for hikes in/around the Forest of Bowland? Need something to tide myself over until the days are a bit longer and driving into the Lakes doesn't seem like such an effort...