Keeping it dry

For the trip it has been hard to choose the correct dry bags, It would seem a simple answer. Sadly I have found this to be difficult. I have looked at weight, size and shapes of hundred of bags, to do the right thing.

I will be using 2 bags in the rear of my boat, one will carry the sleeping bag, whilst the other will carry that days food and spare clothing.

In the front of the boat I will carry a futher bag of food, whilst on the centre step plate I will carry a further bag with 1st Aid. On my person I will carry a bag with my SPOT and money in.

For this I have settled on the range from Over Board, perfect in both shape and size for all the jobs I need of them.

The 2012 Lecture series takes off with a trip to Explorers  Connect. 

 

Plymouth Explorers - 1st February 2012

on 1st Feb 2012 Venue: Treasury Café-Bar-Restaurant, Catherine Street, Royal Parade
Entry: £4 (or £15 pa)
Type: Networking

Event

The evening will be very interesting with a topic that hasn't been explored yet! Our guest speaker Daz is planning to Kayak down Everest, a challenge that should not be undertaken lightly. Daz will be introducing himself and his previous adventure history then taking us through the expedition plan.

This will be a very unique evening for Plymouth Explorers.

This is a great  opportunity to talk to like-minded people; so come along, invite your friends and join our community. Joining will bring you plenty of opportunities and benefits.

Treasury Café-Bar-Restaurant, Catherine Street, Royal Parade,
Plymouth, Devon. PL1 2AD
Wednesday 1st of February from 18:30 until 20:30

The talk will begin at 7pm.

Over the past 20 years Darren Clarkson King has kayaked some of the world's most challenging rivers and countless classic descents. He is a writer and has just finished the text for White Water Nepal (3rd Ed), a guidebook to the rivers of Nepal with Peter Knowles.

For more information about Darren please click here:

Fast and light

I have been thinking about the rescue gear I will be taking on this solo trip. A full pin kit and large throwline seems a little over the top. Who will throw me the line if I get in trouble? How will I sent a 3:1 system?

For the trip it seems the main reason for the line is as a simple light option for moving my boat around on portages. I know that people will not understand the reason why we choose to rivers solo and the way we need to look at the rescue gear, but this is of no concern at the moment.

I have chosen to take the HORNET bag from Nookie. I have many bags that I could use, from HF, NRS and Wilderness Systems. The Hornet, due to its compact size and lightweight nature is the key winner.

 Hornet

18m throw length
8mm floating line with core
9kN load strength
Quick and accurate throw
Compact & light mini bag with Enduromesh contrast drain
Foam wall buoyancy
Failsafe dual release closure with Velcro
Reinforced bag base
Retro reflective piping and graphics
Anti corrosive press studs and eyelet

Off from the norm

Since the start of plannig I have been looking at way to cut down on the gear I carry. On the water I need base layers, whilst off the water I need both warm and cold weather clothing. I have been thinking hard about how I can balance these out - without having to carry too much.

As a break from the 'norm' I have decided to paddle in a gilet and a simple baselayer, with thermal pants over cargo pants under my dry pants. This allows me to carry simple clothes in my kayak whilst also using the 'water wear' as regular clothes.

For this I am wearing the Ignite vest for core protection. It seems a sensible solution to the situation, been primaloft it will not matter if it get damp under my dry top.

 

Men's Ignite Vest

Lightweight, Packable & Highly Insulating Vest

£85.00

In my dry bags I am looking at taking the minimum gear. Shorts and a basic tshirt, wool beanie and the Asgard jacket for cold nights at elevation.

More will be added in due course.

SPOT Me

As the days move closer to spring 2012 and the Kathmandu ETA of March 3rd I have been thinking about 'worse case scenario' and what to do if I get in trouble on this 21 day solo expedition.

My choices settled on a Sat phone or a spot device. I have settled on the latter. Simply because of ease of use and the new system where spot allows for social network and email update at no extra charge. the SPOT is a simple to use piece of gear and is small enough to be carried on my person at all times.