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Main Boards => Welcome => Topic started by: weston.front on 14:16:25, 13/01/21

Title: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 14:16:25, 13/01/21
Well hello
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This all feels rather like 1989 when as a fresher we introduced ourselves to each other on the basis of which A 'levels we'd taken.  So that tells you for a start that I was either a child prodigy or that I am almost 50... 

I've been backpacking since I was 13 and started to enjoy it when I was 16 and because of that transition have continued until this day.  When I married I spent my time cycle touring rather than backpacking and enjoyed the journeys and did not miss the sore shoulders.  Back then it seemed a struggle to get my kit down to 20 kg.  Time has passed, technology has improved, experience has been gained and Mrs W went cold on cycle touring a few years back so I returned to my first love of hill walking with a tent and found that my kit need now only weigh 8.5-10.0 kg.  Being fortunate to live on the edge of the Forest of Bowland I thought I'd have a go a wild camping (something I did in my youth simply because of cost) and I've become hooked.  I suspect I am preaching to the choir.

I think I've now walked every path within the Forest of Bowland and visited each peak that is more than just an elevated bog.  I am thus hoping this forum will be the place for inspiration for new multi-day walks as I head further from home.  I've found 2-5 days works well for me, weekends away in the hills are a real treat and I'm indebted to Alastair Humphreys for opening my mind to the value of just nipping for a couple of days.   When I return home I enjoy writing up my micro adventures as a way to relive the experience and share inspiration with others.  When I've passed the initiation ritual of this forum I'd love to share some links to save lots of cutting and pasting.  In the meantime searching for westonfront + wordpress, should that be of interest, will give you more of an idea of my exploits.
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Finally, I'm looking for a proof reader for an article I've drafted on lightweight tent design, what I hope is a compressive summary of design principles, pro's and con's.  Perhaps this forum could be the ideal place to get feedback before I publish to the world?
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Will



Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: vghikers on 14:33:08, 13/01/21
A welcome from south Manchester  :)

I'd be happy to give feedback on your article, I assume you will email it to any volunteers.

Most of the backpack routes on our site are 2-5 days, including just one 4-day tour of the Bowland Fells (one of those great trips where we literally saw nobody at all, even from a far distance).
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 15:47:11, 13/01/21
VG - I've really enjoyed your site and gained ideas for how to shape the second half of one of my Bowland excursions based on the very walk you mention.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:20:05, 13/01/21
Welcome from Portsmouth.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: jimbob on 20:07:16, 13/01/21
Another warm welcome from the hills and hollows.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:09:28, 13/01/21
Welcome from the southern edge of the Lake District.

I often look across Morecambe Bay from the lowly fell behind Grange over Sands, and my eye is drawn to the Forest of Bowland hills, especially when they have a covering of snow, but I have yet to visit. I've  been a bit reticent as much of the open access land appears to be forbidden territory for dogs. What is it like for wild camping? Plenty of quiet corners, any trouble with gamekeepers etc? I'm not looking for specific recommendations, just general info.

If you are looking to go a little further afield when we are released from lockdown, the Lake District is the obvious choice as the hills are stunning and wild camping is tacitly allowed on most high ground (above the field boundaries). Since moving down from Orkney late in 2019, I have been rediscovering the fells, and have been out with my tent for several one night camps (take a look at my wordpress blog if you are interested). Also look out for Trip Reports by forum members - April and Karl are regular campers on the fells.


EDIT - I see from your blog that you already venture into the Lakes. Remarkable that hoar frost on the Buckden Pike fence.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 21:18:24, 13/01/21

 I've  been a bit reticent as much of the open access land appears to be forbidden territory for dogs. What is it like for wild camping? Plenty of quiet corners, any trouble with gamekeepers etc? I'm not looking for specific recommendations, just general info.
Hi Richard.  Bowland is excellent for wild camping with one caveat.  That applies to any walking on the Bowland Fells and that is the state of the ground, which can be boggy in the extreme.  After an introduction to bog snorkelling on one day walk a few years back I now only walk there after a prolonged period of dry weather.  I guess it would also be OK after a few days below zero too.  I've seen gamekeepers a few times but never been approached by them.
As for walking with your dog, whilst you cannot take advantage of all of the open access land, you can walk with it on any right of way, whether that be within open access land or not.  So whilst your total freedom will be limited, if you stick to rights of way you are legally OK.

In the winter I walk in the Dales in the wet and the Lake District when enough free time and snow co-inside (i.e. not every year!).

Bowland in fine weather : bit.ly/3i9FxGJ.

Another option in wet weather would be to stick to the shooters tracks, which are better maintained than the B roads around here!  For example : bit.ly/3icdXbH
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 07:05:30, 14/01/21
Welcome to the forum from Aberdeenshire
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: watershed on 08:40:06, 14/01/21
Welcome from Shetland, I look forward to reading about your exploits.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:27:57, 14/01/21
Hi Richard.  ....snip
Bowland in fine weather : bit.ly/3i9FxGJ.


Enjoyed your blog. O0
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: windyrigg on 09:29:55, 14/01/21
Greetings from a snowy Northumberland  :)
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: Jac on 11:15:04, 14/01/21
Welcome from, a currently rather dreary, Devon :) 
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 11:20:18, 14/01/21
Welcome from Shetland, I look forward to reading about your exploits.
Thanks.  We hope to get to Shetland this year in June, if it is safe and legal to do so.  We had planned to visit in May 2020...  Family ambles (our son is seven) and some sea kayaking are on the menu.  I've loved time on the Inner and Outer Hebrides and look forward to the different character of this different archipelago. 
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:32:44, 16/01/21
Shetland is wonderful - I was fortunate in that I had 2 consecutive jobs that involved travelling to Shetland over a period of 17 years, from Fair Isle to Muckle Flugga.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: BuzyG on 12:45:55, 18/01/21
Welcome from Cornwall.  O0
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: Novicepaul on 11:01:03, 23/01/21
Hi walker's I'm new to this forum and looking for general information on the topic of walking footwear.Im starting a charity walk up the Ben Nevis in June and was wondering what type of footwear to use up the Ben, obviously I need to break them in too on the roadside walking and hills where I live in West Yorkshire.Can anyone please advise on my question.Thankyou.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:14:36, 23/01/21

Welcome to the forum NovicePaul.
 
In answer to your question, a pair of walking boots, which will give the necessary ankle support. If you intend to use them only in good conditions, then a lightweight pair will be fine, as long as they fit well. No need to spend a lot of money.


If you intend going out in wetter conditions, then I would recommend a leather pair rather than fabric, which in my experience always disappoint when the going gets tough.


What sort of experience of hillwalking do you have?
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: Novicepaul on 19:35:10, 23/01/21
10 miles today 10 miles tomorrow on roads but up n down in elevation.
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: Novicepaul on 19:37:24, 23/01/21
What about clothing??
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 20:12:49, 23/01/21
Go to a good boot shop and have a fitting. The make and model of boot which works well for you will depend on the shape of your foot. As Richard has said, if this is a one off summer walk then a fabric boot will take little or no breaking in. Good ankle support is essential
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: weston.front on 20:17:49, 23/01/21
https://www.backcountryuk.com/walking-boot-fitting-services-118-c.asp
Title: Re: Greetings from Lancashire
Post by: richardh1905 on 22:36:38, 23/01/21
What about clothing??


Pack a waterproof jacket and some spare warm clothing, even in summer. It can be surprisingly cold on top even if it is hot down in Fort William, and people do get caught out. And avoid cotton - it absorbs sweat like a sponge and can leave you feeling cold when you stop.


Also - navigation. I'm a map and compass man myself, but a fully charged phone with Viewranger is an acceptable alternative. Although a lot of people go up Ben Nevis in the summer, the summit plateau is vast, and it would be easy to head off in the wrong direction if the clouds are down (which they often are).


I went up Ben Nevis a few years ago - this Trip Report may be of interest... https://wildaboutwalking.wordpress.com/highlands/ben-nevis/ (https://wildaboutwalking.wordpress.com/highlands/ben-nevis/)