tackling the tgo challenge - geographical magazine may 2011

8/7/2019 Tackling the TGO Challenge - Geographical Magazine May 2011

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ratio. Developed as an ultra-lightweight sail fabric for offshoreracing yachts, this new technology was inevitably embracedby the innovative ultralight backpacking scene in the USA.There are now several cottage manufacturers that produceCuben Fiber shelters. My pyramid-shaped tent is designed toshed wind from every direction, weighs less than 5oo grams(including pegs, guylines and a Gossamer Gear Polycryogroundsheet) and offers enough space for two occupants or apalace for one. I teamed this tent with a water-resistant biwybag to defe at any spray or draughts that managed to sneakunder the shelter's edges.SLEEP EASYContrary to popular thinking, a sleeping bag isn't the onlyoption for outdoor slumber. In a sleeping bug, the insulationlocated beneath your prostrate body is rendered largely inef-fective when crushed. Hence, a substantial weight saving canbe achieved by removing the bottom layer of insulation.Inside my biwy bug, I used a Soo-gram down quilt thatwas comfortable to around 5"C. It compressed to the size ofa small melon. It could also be worn as a kind of poncho,thanks to an ingenious, resealable head hole. This featureallows brave souls to dispense with arry other form of insu-lated clothing by using it as a multi-use item (a key ultralightbackpacking principle). But with temperatures forecast to

drop close to freezi.g, it was necessary for me to wear a micro-fleece beneath the quilt at night and as a walking midlayerduring the day. The fleece also looked far nicer when 'resup-plyrng' in a pub in Aviemore.I chose a torso-length self-inflating pad to insulate me fromthe ground. It represented a touch of luxury in comparison toa closed-cell foam mat, and I was happy to pay the 23o-gramweight penalty in return for a decent night's sleep. Providingthat my hips and shoulders are located on the pad,I find that afuIl-length mat is unnecessary. I place my empty rucksack andarry unused clothing under my legs.with my shelter and sleeping system weighing 1.5 kilograms,it seemed foolish to use a heavy rucksack with a complex backsystem and a myriad of straps. The small volume of my kit meantthat a 3Z-litre rucksack provided more than enough space.Designed for mountain marathons, with a clever design thatpermitted access to several pockets on the move, my pack \ rasideal for moving fast and light. By removing superfluous ele-ments, such as the dense foam back padding and ice-axe loops.70 www.geographical.co.uk MAy 20't l

Sl=T=TFIE END OF TIIE LTNTE, FOR I#ffi#,IIEAVY BOOTS?The weight of my TGO Challenge pack - less consumables such asfood, water and fuel - was a touch under 4.5 kilograms. But alightweight pack means nothing if you plod along in a pair of heavy

leather boots. l'm bemused to see the actions of heavy-booted hikersat the many river crossings that are encountered in a typical day inthe Highlands; packs are removed, followed by boots and socks, d

pair of sandals are donned, the river is crossed and the processrepeated in reverse.

These hikers extol the virtues of stout boots for the waterproofing thatthey provide, and often demonstrate this in the nearest shallow

puddle. A shallow puddle is chosen as these hikers are aware that adeeper puddle will result in the water entering the boot over the top,

at which point its waterproof membrane will perform as designed andprevent this water from Ieaving the boot. A wet boot tends to stay wetfor a very Iong time when backpacking, softening the skin and leadingto rubbing, blisters and perhaps trench foot.

I prefer to wear a lightweight, unlined trail-running shoe for most ofmy year-round walking.The shoes'high mesh content permits water to

leave as easily as it enters. A thin wool or synthetic sock dries quicklyfrom the muscle heat generated by walking. I don't carry sandals as mytrail shoes allow me to ford rivers and streams without breaking stride.

I reduced the weight of the pack to a respectable 54o gramswhile retaining features such as hip pockets and a sternumstrap rvith an integrated safety whistle.CAMP COOKINGM1, onlt- requirement from my backpacking stove was the abil-ilv to boil water to add to dehydrated meals and to create mymoming cup of kuksa coffee, so I dispensed with niceties suchas a simmering function and a metal cooking pot. By using asimple methylated-spirits burner made from a recycled drinkcan and a pot constructed from a large decapitated beer can,camp cooking became a relaxed affair.I chose meths over Esbit solid-fuel tablets on this trip. Inhindsight, this was an error. While meths is easier to light andhas a much more pleasant aroma than fishv-smelling Esbit,I missed the portion control of solid fuel, the ability to carryeractlr- the right number of tablets for a trip, and the optionro post them ahead to resupply locations. I er-entually found:nr-self frantically scouring small Hi.qhland torvns for meths


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I ussENTrAL genr I

OPENING PAGE: two Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid shelters in the Helvetinjiirvi National Park, Finland, where the author warmed up for theTGO Challenge;PREvIoUS PAGE, FRoM LEFT: Andy Howell, the authort companion, follows the River Glennan beneath Beinn a'Mheadhain; birthday cake and a kuksa ofcoffee on asnow-shoeing trip in the Pentland Hills; the Lairig Ghru can be snowy even in mid-May; ABovE: Andy Howell surveys the wilderness of the western Highlands

\rhen my stove consumed more fuel than I had anticipated.Despite this problem, rr:ry entire kitchen (excluding fuel)\\-eighed iust 325 grams and provided me with many warmingrneals and motivating cups of coffee.In addition to my minimalist kitchen, I carried a two-gramCuben Fiber drawstring bag containing a few personal items,such as a loo-gram first-aid kit, a toothbrush with the handlecut down (the qrmbolic badge of the ultralight backpacker), a3O-gram LED headtorch, a flannel-sized wash cloth, a ZL-grarn\-ictorinox Classic SD penknife, and a dropper bottle of pep-cermint Dr Bronner's So?p, which is useful as body wash,shampoo and toothpaste.A long trip will require a large number of maps, but the-,veight of paper can mount up. Many people use the poste:estante service to send and return maps. Others trim maps toco\-er just the areas that they plan to visit. I prefer to use digitalnapping to print my route onto standard A4 paper. This canre printed double-sided and protected in a clear waterproofrnap case. I then burn or recycle map pages as they're used.LAYER SYSTEMI use a five-layer approach to my clothing. It consists of my:ar-ourite merino-wool hooded base layer, a slmthetic micro-:-eece, a windproof jacket, a thicker insulated vest and a-,r aterproof shell. Merino wool is capable of simultaneously

absorbing moisture vapour and repelling liquids. In addi-tion, merino's natural antibacterial properties help to preventunpleasant body odour. This particular property made a sparetop unnecessary on the ten-day trip.I always choose hooded base layers for the extra layer of headinsulation. This feature is especially important when using ahoodless quilt. I'm also a fan of thumb loops in the sleeves.A microfleece is a superb basic mid-layer. It's thin enough towalk in if the temperature drops, and perfect when combinedwith a nylon windproof top. The water resistance and highbreathability of a nylon windproof shouldn't be underestimated.This is one item that accompanies me on every walking trip.My base layerlfleece/windproof combination is immenselyflexible and forms my walking outfit on all but the warm-est days. In the event of serious rain (as opposed to standardScottish dreich), I layer a lightweight waterproof iacket overthe top of everything, or use an umbrella.A down gilet completes my clothing system. It usually servesas my pillow at night unless temperatures drop. In this sce-nario, I wear the gilet, and my shoes are called into serviceas head support. I can't bring myself to carry an inflatablebackpacking pillow as I would have to get rid of my kuksa tomake room for it.I For details of the TGo Challenge, go to www.tgochallenge.co.uk_.PHIL TURNER

-ttiow exploring areas neglected by the vurunit-obsessed masses. He can ofren be founcl tracing ancient droving roads and stretches of deserteitcoastline, and writes regularh' about his adventures and ecluipment tess at wwtu.lightweightoutdoors.comMAY 2011 ww\r.geographical.co.uk 71


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,_ffit** Ifurru*,

oFIRST AID I(ITAdventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5

L2O/104 GRAMSThere is usually no need for a huge medical kit if youhave the relevant training and experience. Designed

for wilderness use, this is a comprehensive kit in awatertight bag with space for customisation

@RUCKSACKOMM Classic 32LL60/s40-72s GRAMS

This rucksack boasts anu nbeata ble combinationof d u rability, ergonomicsand price.The hip pockets

are indispensable for storingessentials such as sunblock and M&Ms. TheDuomat frame can be

removed and used as aminimalist sleeping matby the criminally insane

(and mountainmarathon runners)

@DOWN QUrLTJacks 'R' BetterStealth Quilt

US522O/510 GRAMSAn easy way to reduce your

pack weight. Th is 800-fi I Igoose-down quilt dispenseswith the insulation wastedunderneath your sleepingbody and provides easytemperatu re regu lation.Handmade in the USA byformer ships tailors, thesequilts are of astounding

q ua lity. Not recommendedas formal evening wear

oGLOvESPossumdown glovesL15/48 GRAMS

Rather than using an all-in-one waterproof andinsulating glove, I prefer to pair a waterproof shell mitt

with these luxuriously warm gloves. Made in NewZealand from possum fur, merino wool and nylon.You'll struggle to find a cosier glove at this weight

72 www.geographical.co.uk MAY 201'l

ESSENTIAL gear

TENT STAKE AND TOILET TROITTLMSR Blizzardf4/23 GRAMS

This metal stake can be used as a ruggeo toi et rrowelas it easily hacks through heather roois. Digging

comfort can be improved by adding a closed-cell foamhandle and a hanging loop.The Blizzard also performs

admirably as a heavy-duty tent peg

TfEINOF TFIE BE,ST

As an ultralight backpacker,Phil works on the principle that

/ess fs more. So while takingpart in the TGO Challenge, hemade sure to pack kit that was

lightweight, suitable for allweathers, and, whereverpossible, had more than oneuse. Here is a selection of the

gear that he used while hikirtgacross the Highlands

Don't forget......& wooden Finnish kuksa.It'll change the way youdrink in the outdoors

NEXT MONTH:BAG-LTSS ADVINTUR[5

oCUBEN FIBER SHELTERMountain Laurel Designs DuoMid

USS4O5,,34C Gt,A\1SA premium product at a prerniur'n price, and you'll haveto wait for Ron at Mountain Laurel Designs to make the

DuoMid by hand. But a montt later, you'll receive anincredibly light and durable:.', c-cerson shelter. A

trekking pole and a bit of c-3:: :: s required to pitch it

oMAP CASEL2" x L2" aLoksakf4.s0/29 GRAMS

A soggy map is useless and can lead to a potentiallydangerous situation developing on the hill.Theseresealable, flexible pouches offer protection from

humidity, water, dust and sand.They're also idealforhousing valuable electronic items

oBIVITY BAGTitanium GoatPtarmiganUSS110/193 GRAMS (INC. FULL

MESH HOOD OPTION)The Ptarmigan features a

breatha ble, water-resista nttop to repel condensation

and breezes, and awaterproof, bathtu b-style

base.The mesh hoodprovides a welcome havenfrom the dreaded Scottishmidge. A small loop allows

the mesh to be hookedaway from your face

oWINDPROOFJACKETMontane Lite-Speed

f6O/170 GRAMSThis is the first thing in my

pack for day walks andmu lti-day backpacking trips.Layered over a merino-wool

top and microfleece, theLite-Speed copes with the

majority of the weatherI encounter in Scottishthree-season walking,relegating my sweaty

waterproofs to the insideof my pack

@STOVEGossamer Gear Caldera Keg - GVPUS56O/84 GRAMS

lf you just need to boil water, this modular system isone of the lightest and most efficient solutions on themarket. Choose between solid-fuel Esbit tablets or a

meths burner. I carry an 1 1-gram BIC Mini J5/)25lighter to fire up the cooker G

tackling the tgo challenge - geographical magazine may 2011

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