Thanks Brian it wouldn't be for me to say about the lacy band, we come from a very strict church community and although i enjoyed things like that in my younger days i feel i would sin talking about it now. I have been going out of my mind, i really tried to take the ring off even with lubrication it wouldn't budge the dam thing. Anyway i wouldn't feel comfortable taking it off that way my wife is with me all the way with it on and if i lost the dam thing i wouldn't like to go back and explain that to Corrie. The button compass on my walking poles is a great idea but where we live the stores are very limited. I think i can work with the original way it works for me.

I hope to see you guys passing through.

Regards

Dave

I worry about the thigh strapping, Dave. Not because of any of the rude things some of our fellow Challengers might suggest, but because I think it could easily become dislodged and lost over a 2 week period. Easy to be careful for the first few days, but then you might be distracted by what's going on, say if you were digging a hole outside in a howling gale and were more concerned about getting the business over and back in the tent and didn't notice the tape was working loose. I thought the neck chain thing was a better idea.

I'm also wondering if there's any tape you can get that could block the effect on the compass so you could leave it on your finger . Maybe there's a materials expert on the board who could help out.

And for the long run, a bit of unasked for advice. As a woman who's had to have her wedding ring cut off 3 times, if it's now quite tight, get it enlarged while you can still get it off, so you don't have to have it cut off.

Best wishes and I hope you enjoy your Challenge.

Vanessa