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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: gunwharfman on 14:58:48, 28/12/20

Title: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: gunwharfman on 14:58:48, 28/12/20
At the moment I'm assuming that there will still be Covid restriction on us during 2021 but I am hoping that I can start hiking and camping again soon.

I'm also assuming that some campsites, pubs, hostels and so on would have gone out of business so there is a possibility that as a hiker I may experience a longer walking day if I want to get to one of them?

My type of hiking relies on me getting to a pub or restaurant each evening and until 2020 I almost always managed it every time. If not I just wild camped and made the best of my situation.

If I'm correct I anticipate more wild camping night so this will lead me to make other plans. For example, I don't cook and don't carry any equipment to do so. I just pack a small cup, a small plastic plate and a plastic knife, fork and spoon into my rucksack. I just drink water and carry 'finger foods' nuts, chocolate, cheese and some wraps. If I reach a pub I will then have a hot meal, including alcohol. I already have the means to 'wild shower' so will be looking to improve my personal hygiene situation by getting a roll-up water container which I don't have at the moment. I've used a small 'hard bottle' up until now. I'll also think up an 'alcohol bar' for myself, to make my wild camp evenings more of an occasion. I have two hip flasks so I don't anticipate a problem.

I'm not going to purchase any of this yet, I'll wait until March but I can see the possibility of me deciding to carry cooking equipment, coffee, and other food etc and learn how to muddle through. I will also pack a lighter (never done that before) and might even buy myself a 'proper' knife? It all has weight implications but I don't mind carrying a bit more.

I can't see me flying anywhere in 2021, I don't want to use public transport unless I have to so my mode of transport will I'm sure will be to use my car. I will then have to seek out safe and reliable parking, say for up to two weeks and will seek out circular routes to hike rather than linear ones, an obvious example is the Pennine Journey.

I wonder what new shopping opportunities Covid-19 might offer me? Have I forgotten anything?
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: WhitstableDave on 18:51:57, 28/12/20
I only ever walk solo or with my wife and family. And since my wife works full time, my solo walks always take place during her working hours. We used to have camping holidays many years ago, but we prefer more comfort nowadays, so camping no longer features in our leisure activities at all.

However, our routines have certainly changed as a result of 2020. The first lockdown persuaded us to buy a treadmill, and the treadmill introduced me to running. So, while we still enjoy walking, we've added trail-running to our shared activities. We've done a number of challenges this year and we've already set ourselves more for 2021... including a 34 mile North Downs Way walk/run in early spring.
 
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: veracocha on 19:05:24, 28/12/20
Over the last few years my walking trips have been centered on a long weekend where travel takes out a day when you factor in the there and back journeys. In 2021 I intend to make less journeys but longer stays. I like the idea of using pubs as milestones, that would force me to do more planning instead of my usual wait and see approach.
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: richardh1905 on 19:40:37, 28/12/20
Coronavirus has made me realise that I really must "grasp the moment" to go walking and wild camping whenever I can. So I intend to do a lot more of both.


Managed to get in a walk up Fairfield today with my eldest son - I spotted a weather window and conditions turned out to be magnificent - a plastering of fresh snow, sunshine, hardly a breath of wind. Used a wooden shafted 'Alpenstock' that is probably as old as I am!


As for equipment - minimal for short wild camping trips, and I pretty much have all I need for both camping and walking. Tempted by some microspikes, though.
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: richardh1905 on 19:41:16, 28/12/20
..and pubs. The restrictions have made me realise how much I miss them on a walk!
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:45:17, 28/12/20
I suspect I won’t be travelling abroad in 2021. There is plenty of excellent walking within easy reach of where I live. Hopefully, I will be able to overcome my injuries and regain some fitness and then I will get back into the hills again. Any walks with my wife will need to be low level, as she doesn’t do hills anymore.
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: scottk on 21:40:56, 28/12/20
This year I stayed at the Glen Nevis campsite and based myself there for a few days. There must be similar in other areas where you can have a base and walk from.
For wild camping I use a Smart water bottle and carry a 1.5l evernew water carrier which weighs very little and means I can carry water for camp. I use dried meals for dinner and either porridge or muesli for breakfast.
Trowel for toilet?
I use a jetboil for cooking and individual filter coffee bags (which are good).
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: windyrigg on 09:58:31, 29/12/20
I think starting out by avoiding 'formal' campsites, I enjoy wild camps anyway. Otherwise make the most of every day  :) 
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:43:40, 29/12/20
If I can be sure of being able to hike and camp in 2021 I definitely want to buy a new tent. My present tent, a Marmot Pulsar 1 still works but it is pretty well worn out, the outer tent and the securing straps over time have stretched a little and it no longer fits as tightly as it did when new. When I finally stop using it I'll also have a footprint that won't fit anything else.

But as it was in 2020 I am so undecided as to which one to buy? As I'm the age I am I keep being drawn back to the Naturehike models, they on balance represent better financial value to me than buying the proper make of tent. when I bought my Marmot tent, I could have bought nearly 3 Naturehike tents models like mine.
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: forgotmyoldpassword on 18:47:20, 29/12/20
Richard has it right.  Grasp the moment.


I don't want to end up one of those old and knackered walkers with useless knees who wished he did more trips.  Personally this means embracing a bit of 'chaos' and making trips up as I go along.  Packing gear up, loading full of food and getting out there.  Also I can see a huge bounce in the hiking market this coming year once the spring weather comes in (some of the older groups vaccinated, low holidays expenditure so money in pockets).


Also can heartily recommend microspikes.  If you're out in their ideal weather on high trails it turns what is quite an 'eventful day out' sliding about into an enjoyable walk.  Particularly considering people want to keep out of A&E at all costs at the moment!




Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: weston.front on 17:19:50, 13/01/21
If we are to get out there either the rules need to change or we need to find places which are not popular enough to attract unwanted attention (and fines!).  At the risk of having the police knock on my door I'll admit I've been out for multi-day trips several times when the rules 'advised' against.  I am at least as keen as the most conscientious citizen to combat COVID as I work as a brewer.  More accurately I am now furloughed as a brewer!  But getting out once a month for a two day walk is keeping me on an even keel, something I expect is true for others as well.  Thus I guess the change will be to go to places which are not tourist honeypots, and steering well clear of Derbyshire!!

So how about the Northern Dales or the North Pennines?  Both excellent but not over run.
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: weston.front on 17:34:27, 13/01/21
Gunwharfmanwalking between pubs was a favourite pursuit of mine.  I call it a professional interest (see previous post).  Adding the ability to cook to your kit need not add a lot of weight if approached the right way.

1. Use a lightweight gas stove with a Ti cooking mug : bit.ly/2LgG1Mc
2. Eat Freeze dried meals (this is both light and eliminates washing up)
.
But this still leaves water for drinking and cooking which is heavy so...
3. Invest in a water filter so you can source wild water near the end of each day and thus not carry it very far: bit.ly/3eB2qkJ
4. Choose your new tent to be reliable yet light (does not have to be ultra light thus ultra expensive) : bit.ly/3gAj0R0

Options 1-3 will probably pay for themselves on the first trip vs. the cost of 3 pub meals and beers, option 4 probably not.

The one thing this misses is the beer of course - so I'm keen to hear how the research is going in dehydrated beer, because I'd be happy to review that for the forum.  I guess some call it whisky...
 
Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: jimbob on 18:06:54, 13/01/21
I use a flameless heater to get hot water and dehydrated meals. OK for an overnighter but actually the lime bags are quite weighty if carrying enough for more than three days, way heavier than a gas cannister. I would never, in any circumstance use an open wood fire. So my major expenditure would be on a jet boil type stove, I think.

Title: Re: 2021, will you be changing your hiking/camping routines?
Post by: Birdman on 18:13:30, 14/01/21
Two weeks into 2021 and I have never watched so much TV/ series/ documentaries so far in any year (http://walkingforum.co.uk/Smileys/alive/embarrassed.gif)
I haven't even started my 2021 bird list for this year.
Apart from a New Years walk on 1st January I have not done any walks other than going to the supermarket and the local park.(http://walkingforum.co.uk/Smileys/alive/embarrassed.gif)