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Re: Lochailort no more ... 2016 TGO day 1

Marian,

Thank-you for your kind comments and how right you are about the Karrimor gear not being up to scratch these days. When I bought a Jaguar IV rucksack many years ago it WAS up to scratch - and cost at the time a bloomin' fortune. The rucksack would not past muster in today's environment of super lightweight equipment, but at the time it did, and would still be a serviceable pack, if too heavy, today.

I parted company with it five years ago. I hadn't used it for years, but I appreciated it for what it was, or had been - an excellent pack that was actually waterproof. It was a reminder of some great walks, SWCP in particular.

Dumping it was like offloading an old pal.

I can't remember what weight it was, apart from being too heavy, but it served me well, hence my ingrained belief that Karrimor gear is still okay. The power of marketing, I guess. Your mention of Sports Direct puts matters regarding quality into context, and explains why the Karrimor brand is not what it used to be.

It would make for interesting listening if Mike could share a tale or two about the development of equipment, because he must have been at the forefront of the development of lightweight backpacking gear back in the day. The mid-seventies felt like they were a pioneering time in the outdoor gear world.

As for my 2016 challenge, the next and another long instalment, involves ticks - sadly for me.

Re: Lochailort no more ... 2016 TGO day 1

You are right about Mike being at the forefront of the lightweight revolution. He has written a book - 'Invisible on Everest' - together with a textiles historian Prof Mary Rose: this is a history with anecdotes, about how gear developed.

Day 2: Lochailort no more ... 2016 TGO Challenge

Hello folks,

the next installment of "Lochailort no more ..." is up and running.



Day 2: Lochailort no more ...

Day 3: Lochailort no more ... 2016 TGO Challenge

Hello folks,

Here's a third instalment from my 2016 TGO Challenge crossing.
It's long ...

Day 3: Lochailort no more