Trail magazine March 2016

12 Routes Walks + OS maps:

LIVE FOR THE OUTDOORS

MARCH 2016

T

RING OF STEALL LIATHACH GLYDERS...

THE UK’S BEST-SELLING HILLWALKING MAGAZINE

MARCH 2016 £4.45

WINTER

WITHOUT LIMITS

Your perfect hill… whatever your skill!

Mountain road trip The new highway that unlocks dream peaks

Ben Lui Icy highs on a Scottish icon

PLUS

Fix busted kit!

Best 30-35L rucksacks Fiacaill Ridge in 3D

EXCLUSIVE! the one that prefers to call rain ‘liquid snow’

Steve Backshall A Lakeland secret ...mountain addict

Hidden in plain sight

Devil’s Kitchen

Dragon’s Teeth

Frozen thrills

Wales’ best walk?

Contents

WHERE TRAIL

WILL TAKE YOU

Atop the queen of the south Highlands on a perfect winter’s day – page 26.

The multi-headed massif that is Liathach.

SKILLS SK

ADVENTURES VENTURES

Expert advice

64

How to fix knackered kit; why you need to be booze-aware; winter walking safety; training for Mont Blanc; best stoves for cold conditions

Ben Lui

26

A ‘spirit-lifting’ walk in snowy south Scotland

St Sunday Crag

34

GARRY SMITH

Introducing a Lake District master of disguise

Upland bird ID

70

What you can see with your eyes to the skies

Climb it

6

Liathach: ‘all pinnacles, chasms and height’

Experience it

8

Five hundred miles via scenic Scottish roads

Lakes: open for business

10

Keep calm and carry on coming to Cumbria!

The Mountain Inquisition 12 Ex-Royal Marine Scott Heffield spills the beans 4 TRAIL MARCH 2016

40

A cracking road trip around the UK’s far north

YOUR TRAIL

BASE CAMP

North Coast 500

In box

20

Graig Goch

48

A peaceful peacefu place on the fringes of Snowdonia

The world of hillwalking: your thoughts

Out there

22

The Devil’s De Kitchen

Your top mountain moments + Face of fatigue

Subscribe to Trail

56

Sign up today and save a whole wad of cash

Trail 7 Summits

130

Evidence of endeavour wins Montane kit!

52

Fancy an iicy mini adventure in north Wales?

Steve Backshall B 58 His‘perfec His ‘perfect 24 hours’ might 24hours’m surprise you... surpriseyo

WWW.RSPB-IMAGES.COM

Despite Ben Lui being a bit of a pain in the arse... I love it

TOM BAILEY

Graig Goch: just you and the view – page 52.

GEAR GUIDE Hot new kit

ROUTES 74

Box-fresh stuff that’s caught Trail’s eye

30-35 litre rucksacks

76

The very best men’s and women’s day packs

Fleece jackets

82

Practical and cosy tops for a range of budgets

Trekking poles

86

There’s a pair for you, whatever your ur needs...

Kit me out for...

88

...walks where you might encounterr wildlife

First test

90

A down+synthetic sleeping bag from om Marmot

Used & abused

TOM BAILEY

The Devil’s Kitchen: a frozen adventure – page 52.

STEVE BACKSHALL

Steve Backshall: not your average chap – page 58.

92

Where Team Trail appraises its paraphernalia aphernalia

1 Skiddaw 101 2 Kentmere Horseshoe 103 3 Blorenge 105 4 Glyder Fawr 107 5 Liathach 109 6 Ring of Steall 111 7-9 Glenridding 113 10-12 Moffat 117

Ring of Steall 7

Glenridding

8 9

10 11 12

122 127 129

Moffat Skiddaw

1

Kentmere

Map of the month Blencathra

Glyders

4

PLUS Walks of a lifetime Ridge guide Map of the month

6

Ridge guide Fiacaill Ridge

Liathach

5

3

Walks of a lifetime Dragon’s Teeth

Blorenge

● CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE AND GO HILLWALKING!

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 5

2

BLA BHEINN ISLE OF SKYE Here are brothers Petr and Pavel Kolegar on the summit of Bla Bheinn (Blaven). Petr, from North Lanarkshire, told Trail, “It was a really great day in the mountains.

We started the trip at 1am, driving 4¾ hours from home, started our walk in the darkness and then got the sunrise and inversion from the top. An unforgettable moment and another great adventure with Pavel, who came for one week from the Czech Republic.”

IMET GOGO ETHIOPIA Pals James Bradley (left) and Paul Nicholson (right) from London pose with their guide DJ on this 3926m summit, during a week in the Simien Mountains. James said, “We got there at the end of the rainy season so the landscape was green and lush (nothing like our expectations of Ethiopia).

A brilliant trip – stunning views, amazing wildlife (gelada baboons!) and lovely people.” Their scout, local legend Ali,took the photo.

22 TRAIL MARCH 2016

CYFRWY ARETE SNOWDONIA This summit conference o involves Jim Smith, Vaughn Smith, t Sarah Hughes and M Mike Kent from Bassetlaw s Hill and Mountain t Club, who are relaxing with thoughts of the h Table Direct climb fresh e in their minds. The h pic was taken by Clare e Buxton.

Out there Send us your shots, share your adventures

Email your photos to us, along with a description of what was special about your day, and we’ll publish the most inspiring examples!

Put Out there in the subject box, and send them to trail@bauermedia.co.uk

SNOWDON SNOWDONIA Ethan Thompson (12) from Rossett has just reached the roof of Wales for the first time via the Watkin Path.

His dad Greg, who took the photo, says Ethan is now trying to persuade him to take him across Crib Goch before the wintery weather kicks in!

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 23

Go south Highlands Do embrace winter!

ICE QUEEN Ben Lui is often touted as the finest peak in the southern Highlands. Wrapped in its thick, white winter coat, even that high praise barely does it justice.

WORDS BEN WEEKS PHOTOGRAPHS TOM BAILEY

26 TRAIL MARCH 2016

Nearing our goal – the summit of Ben Lui – with a world in white at our backs.

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 27

Go the Lake District Do St Sunday Crag

MASTER OF

34 TRAIL MARCH 2016

Looking towards St Sunday Crag from the summit of Fairfield.

Despite its central Lake District location, this 841m peak sees just a fraction of the footfall of its more illustrious neighbours.

You’ve probably seen it but never noticed it. Walked right past it but never trodden its slopes. Allow us to introduce Lakeland’s concealed classic.

DISGUISE WORDS OLI REED PHOTOGRAPHS TOM BAILEY

H

ave you climbed St Sunday Crag?

Don’t worry if the answer is no; most people haven’t. Which is a curious thing. Situated in the camera-friendly Ullswater valley and sandwiched between Lakeland heavyweights Helvellyn and Fairfield, this steepsided 841m masterpiece of a mountain is one that almost every visitor to the Eastern Fells will have admired from afar, yet few are familiar with.

You can see it overhanging the roadless valley of Grisedale from the southern tip of Ullswater, yet it’s when viewed from neighbouring fells that St Sunday Crag’s personality begins to ooze. From high on the Fairfield Horseshoe it angles away to the north-east, long, straight and slender like the fin of a great sea monster. From Helvellyn, and more specifically Striding Edge, the allure is even greater. You’ll see  MARCH 2016 TRAIL 35

Go Scotland’s north Do drive ’n’ climb

40 TRAIL MARCH 2016

The high-tucked, scrambly little peak of Stac Pollaidh is easily targeted from the NC500. ﾂｩ CULTURA RM / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN Why Scotlandﾃ不 brand new road route is a ticket to Britainﾃ不 most mythically wild mountains.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS GRAEME GREEN

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 41

Go north Wales Do a borderline hill

TRAVERSING THE

PEACE AND EXCITEMENT COLLIDE ON THE FRINGES OF

48 TRAIL MARCH 2016

A NATIONAL PARK.

WORDS SARAH RYAN PHOTOGRAPHS TOM BAILEY

EDGELANDS

Hugging Graig Goch's precipitous north-west face, with Cadair Idris and Tal-y-llyn Lake visible to the left.

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 49

SNOWDONIA

In a nutshell a little walk in gigantic scenery Distance 6km (3¾ miles) Time 2½ hours Start/finish Idwal Cottage (SH649603) ( ) Nearest town/village Capel Curig

52 TRAIL MARCH 2016

Descending the Devil's Kitchen path towards Llyn Idwal with Pen yr Ole Wen directly across the Ogwen Valley.

In summer this is a great walk, but in winter it feels like a miniature mountaineering masterpiece.

MINI ADVENTURE

A COLD DAY IN

THE DEVIL’S KITCHEN Trail delves deep into the frozen rock basin of Cwm Idwal for a thoroughly icy adventure.

WORDS OLI REED PHOTOGRAPHS TOM BAILEY

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 53

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Steve Backshall

A LIFE ORDINARY

Most people know that Steve Backshall travels the world on TV, getting cosy with deadly creatures. Fewer know that he’s a high-altitude mountaineer and a devotee of the British hills.

WORDS SARAH RYAN PHOTOGRAPHS STEVE BACKSHALL

S

teve Backshall has lived the life that seven-yearolds dream of. His career so far reads like the kind of fantasy wish-list a pack of kids might come up with. Explorer! Travel writer! Wildlife TV presenter! No 9-5 office slog here. Steve was even gainfully employed for a while as the unbelievably titled National Geographic Adventurer-in-Residence.

You might know him as a presenter of The Really Wild Show or Deadly 60, a children’s programme about the world’s most dangerous animals, or perhaps as the beaming face of BBC wildlife expeditions. You may not know that he’s also a devotee of the mountains and loves them enough to have written a book about it – Mountain: A Life on the Rocks. By the time you

58 TRAIL MARCH 2016

read this, he’ll be touring Australia before heading out to Indonesia, Africa and New Guinea – on the search for high peaks and fresh adventure, of course. So Trail, naturally, caught up with him in Buckinghamshire.

“I think the incredible thing about the mountains is that they’re constantly changing with light, weather, the movement of the clouds…” he enthuses when we ask him about his new book, a memoir hooked around a love of high places. “In a matter of minutes, you can go from utter abject misery, visibility of a couple of metres and pouring, hammering rain to extraordinary clarity and the world’s most fabulous view. And I love that.

I love that the environment seems to be constantly in a state of flux.” 

Bearing a 35kg pack on a week-long trek across Canada’s Baffin Island to Mount Asgard – and still smiling.

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 59

EXPERT ADVICE: PLAIN & SIMPLETM YOUR EXPERTS

Graham Thompson GT – Trail’s technical editor for over 25 years – is our walking gear guru.

HOW TO FIX ANYTHING

Leaky down? Tear in your tent? Solve the commonest gear problems and add years of usage to your kit with Trail's guide to quick repair...

Reproof your waterproof

Rob Johnson MIC Rob is an international expedition leader and mountain instructor.

Repair a hole in technical fabric How: Find a circular repair patch or cut repair tape into a circle at least 5mm larger than the hole (square patches will peel upwards at the corners). Carefully cover the hole and allow it to rest overnight. For extra security, paint with seam glue first.

Tool kit: Gore-Tex patch or repair tape, seam glue.

How: Wash in soap flakes or tech soap, such as Nikwax or Granger’s, never standard detergent.

Wash or spray with reproofer and if spraying, ensure even coverage by hanging the garment or lying it flat.

Tool kit: Reproofer, technical soap.

Lyle Brotherton Navigation expert Lyle is one of the world’s leading authorities on search and rescue.

Jeremy Ashcroft Trail’s mountaineering editor Jeremy has a lifetime of outdoors experience.

Stop insulation leaks

Patch your tent

How: Cut a circular piece of repair tape and slide it under the torn fabric, sticky side up. Press.

If strands of down ever poke through fabric, pull them back inside – not out – then rub the area to minimise the hole.

Tool kit: Repair tape, scissors, a steady hand!

How: For tears, pull the edges close together an and use repair tape to seal on the outside, then paint over ove inside with seam glue. For holes, cut a generous patch of spare tent fabric and apply outside. Stick and seal inside insid with seam glue. Tool kit: Seam glue, tent patch, repair repa tape.

64 TRAIL MARCH 2016

Fix a broken tent pole How: Clean the break of any shards and slide a repair sleeve (often provided with the tent) onto the pole, keeping the break in the middle. Secure with a wrap or two of duct tape at each end.

You'll need a new pole but this is an easy, quick fix out on the hill.

Tool kit: Pole repair sleeve, duct tape.

Prevent this tear in your pack

Fix a seam

How: This notorious weak point in rucksacks – particularly flimsy ones – is caused by repeatedly lifting a heavy pack by one (usually the same) strap. The area can be reinforced with seam glue if it's showing signs of weakness, but the best prevention is to always lift a pack with two hands, by both straps.

Tool kit: Your memory!

How: Apply seam glue along the garment, press down the escaped seam and wipe away residue. Secure with an outer coating if you like.

Tool kit: Seam glue.

Reproof/restore your boots How: Give Gi your boots b a thorough g clean and allow them to dry naturally. Then en apply reproofer with a cloth, gently removing any ny excess with a soft brush.

Tool kit: Boot cleaner, reproofer, cloth, soft brush.

De-stink your flask How: Give Gi the h flask k a good scrub, and if it still smells iffy, tip in 1tbsp bsp bicarb, add a squeeze of lemon juice and fill it with boiling water.

Let it stand for one hour. Repeat if necessary.

Tool kit: Bicarbonate ate of soda, lemon juice.

Repair a puncture in your sleeping mat How: Locate the hole by submerging the mat in water. Dry and mark puncture with chalk. Coat a patch of tech fabric with seam glue. Apply.

Tool kit: Seam glue, tech fabric patch.

PACK A FIELD REPAIR KIT!

Duct tape (2m, wrapped around trekking poles), Gore-Tex patch, spare bootlace, seam glue, knife.

■ McNett (www.mcnett.eu) produces Gore-Tex patches, seam glue and fabric tape for all manner of repairs. Find its products in Cotswold Outdoor, Tiso, Go Outdoors and Blacks, and online.

TEST OF THE BEST

TESTER PROFILE Graham Thompson Technical editor Height 5ft 11½in Build slim

TOP HILL KIT GOES HEAD TO HEAD

MEN’S 30-35 LITRE RUCKSACKS A 30-35 litre rucksack is ideal for most hillwalking trips. Perfect for everything from day walks to lightweight wild camps, it could be the only pack you ever need.

MAIN ENTRY The entry to the main compartment may be a conventional lid with a buckle or a zip-around closure.

There are pros and cons of both designs; with lids having the advantage that there are no zips to break, you can overstuff the bag, and the lid often has a pocket for smaller items like maps.

SHOULDER STRAPS The shoulder straps take some of the weight, but they should be carefully contoured and padded to make them comfortable. As we are all different shapes it’s important to try them for size, fit and comfort before spending cash.

WAND POCKETS Originally designed for avalanche probes or ‘wands’, these pockets on the side of a pack are often made of stretchy mesh fabrics and are ideal for stashing the ends of trekking poles as well as smaller items including water bottles or snacks.

COMPRESSION STRAPS These are on the sides of some rucksacks and allow you to compress the body of the sack to help stabilise the load. They are also useful for stashing items onto the side of the rucksack, such as trekking poles and waterproof jackets.

SNOW-LOCK EXTENSION Located under the lid and attached to the body of the main compartment, this extension of material provides additional protection for your kit. It will have a drawcord closure so you can close the top of the main compartment independently of the lid to ensure it is well-protected from the elements.

HYDRATION POCKET If you like to use a hydration bladder with a feeder pipe to drink from rather than a water bottle, look for a rucksack with a pocket for the hydration bladder inside the pack. All the sacks featured here can accommodate a hydration system.

76 TRAIL MARCH 2016

POCKETS An external zipped pocket is useful for guidebooks, maps and GPS receivers, but some people like more than one.

Stretch pockets without zips are commonly found on the front of the sack and these are ideal for stowing waterproofs between showers. Pockets on the hipbelt are ideal for snacks, while lid pockets are great for guidebooks, sunglasses or sunscreen.

VENTILATED BACK SYSTEM So that you don’t get too sweaty, many rucksacks have mesh panels that hold the sack away from the body to increase airflow.

The greater the airflow across the back, the less clammy you will feel.

HIPBELT This is designed to carry most of the load if the pack is heavy, but when carrying lighter loads it may only be used to ensure stability of the pack. Either way, it should fit snugly around your hips while being comfortable and easy to adjust. Look for some foam padding for maximum comfort.

Test of the best MAGAZINE

BEST VALUE

£75 / 982g

£75 / 1199g

£85 / 949g

Berghaus Arete III 35

Lowe Alpine Airzone Trail 35

Montane Medusa Medusa32 32

www.berghaus.com

www.lowealpine.com

www.montane.co.uk

price; narrow clutter-free design; snow+ lock extension; side compression straps

Airzone back system; adjustable + price; shoulder straps; side compression straps

single-buckle lid; compression + weight; straps; stretch wand/side pockets

–

–

–

no women’s version; no back length adjustment; no side, front, hipbelt pockets

not the lightest; no snow-lock extension; side compression straps lack quick release

less airflow than some; soft back system requires more care when packing

FEATURES

As it’s intended for mountaineers and alpine users the back system has a snow-shedding design consisting of padding and a slight ‘air chimney’. The body is a single compartment with a snow-lock drawcord extension at the top and a conventional fixed lid with a pocket.

You get compression straps but no side, front or hipbelt pockets. Great if you like things simple, lacking if you don't.

4/5

The price is a major feature here but you’re also getting a great set of practical features, including an Airzone back system that holds the pack away from the body for more airflow.

I like the conventional lid with a single buckle that has a good-sized main pocket, and there is a large zipped front panel pocket. A pair of stretch side pockets and a pair of compression straps complete the list.

5/5

The Montane Medusa is a well-proven product that has won ‘Best Value’ previously, and at 949g this sack is very light for its 32 litre capacity. The back system is padded and softer than others, while the main compartment has a single-buckle lid and a snow-lock extension. The lid pocket is a good size, and there are compression straps and stretch side pockets.

5/5

FIT

This is a unisex design with no back length options or adjustments, so it either fits or it doesn’t. The hipbelt fins are split and have double webbing straps for a finer fit. Top tensioning straps are provided. The back panel has some flex, to allow it to move with the body, but is stiff enough to support itself. 4/5

There’s an Airzone Trail 35 for men and an Airzone Trail ND 33 for women, a difference in back length resulting in a capacity difference.

There is no back length option or adjustment, but you do get top tensioning straps and the hipbelt fins are perforated with a large opening that also helps them mould to your body. 5/5

The Medusa (men’s) and Yarara (women’s) have fixed back lengths, but I found I got a good fit from the shoulder straps and wide hipbelt, with the top tensioning straps working well. The back system is softer than some, meaning it can mould to your back, but it may fit oddly if poorly packed.

4/5

COMFORT

Like all mountaineering designs this is less comfortable than the more ‘airy’ walkers’ packs, but it is perfectly good enough and better than many low-priced packs. Also, it won’t soak up snow or water as easily as other designs, so in winter it will feel more comfortable than some packs that can become saturated in their padded areas. 4/5

This is a very comfy back system, with the only niggle being that it is a little heavier than some options. The extra airflow is just one benefit of the back system though, as it is also close-fitting and stable, without restricting movement.

There is just enough stiffness to allow you to pack the main compartment in a haphazard way without impacting on comfort.

5/5

The back system is moulded with air channels and isn’t very stiff, so it’s not the absolute top of the league in terms of comfort; but of course it is lighter and softer, which you may value as more important for comfort. Comfort will be controlled in large part by how you pack this sack, so some more care will be needed here compared to others.

4/5

IN USE

If you like simpler designs then you’ll love this, while its weight of just 982g is a benefit to all users. I would like wand pockets on the sides to allow more secure trekking pole attachment, but you can use the other ice axe loops for poles – they just aren’t as neat and secure. The lid is great. The body feels more durable than some walkers’ sacks too.

4/5

Overall, a great sack to use; but there are minor points that mean it doesn’t quite tick all my personal boxes. The two compression straps on each side work well with the stretch pockets, but if the top one had quick-release buckles it would be even more useful. A snow-lock extension on the main compartment would be a nice addition too. But otherwise hard to fault.

4/5

The low weight makes this instantly appealing and it sits close to your back if well-packed, making it ideal on the hill in experienced hands. You can easily attach trekking poles to the sides and even strap a pair of ice axes on the back using the twin ice tool holder. The lid pocket is great for maps and the single buckle on the lid makes it quick to use.

5/5

VALUE

The price is excellent for what you get, although you can find even more walkerorientated features at this price.

5/5

The price is very good for what you’re getting here, and it’s hard to justify paying more unless you really are picky about features. 5/5

The price is good for what you’re getting, but higher-priced rucksacks have some advantages too in terms of the back system.

4/5

An ideal choice if you want a low-priced mountaineering design that’s lightweight but also durable and supportive.

A superb all-round hillwalking sack that is hard to fault, but lighter sacks with tiny design tweaks may suit even better if you pay more.

If you want a lightweight rucksack then the Montane Medusa is great, but other back systems may offer more comfort.

VERDICT

4.2/5

4.8/5

4.4/5

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 77

BEST BUDGET FOR YOUR

TESTER PROFILE Graham Thompson

FLEECE JACKETS Fleeces are still a mainstay of a UK hillwalker’s wardrobe, as they’re practical while keeping you cosy.

Technical editor Height 5ft 11½in Clothing size large

HOOD A hood on a fleece jacket is useful in the hills as you can whip it on and off conveniently in volatile weather conditions. If you choose a jacket with a hood, then the hood should fit your head snugly without obscuring vision and move with your head. Most fleece hoods have no adjustment so check the fit before parting with your cash.

SEAMS Bulky seams can chafe, so look for ‘flatlocked’ seams or at the very least carefully positioned ones that avoid key areas such as under the shoulders where rucksack straps will rub.

MATERIALS Not all fleece materials offer the same amount of wind resistance and insulation. Thick fabrics tend to trap more air, so they will provide more insulation. More wind-resistant fabrics prevent airflow, which allows trapped pockets of air to stay warm, making the jacket warm even in light winds. However, the more wind-resistant the fabric is, the worse it may perform worn under a waterproof jacket as good airflow is needed to prevent the build-up of condensation. So a good all-round option is a medium degree of insulation and a medium degree of wind resistance.

CUFFS

ZIPS

POCKETS

Good movement in the sleeves will ensure that the cuffs don’t ride up your arms when scrambling or even climbing over stiles, while adjustment on the cuffs will prevent draughts that may leave your arms feeling cold. If there is no cuff adjustment, then check the fit closely.

A small hole in the cuff for your thumb to slip through, known as a thumb loop, can be an effective means of blocking out draughts, even on loose-fitting cuffs.

Zips are ideal for venting the jacket so make sure they’re easy to use. A baffle on the inside is useful for preventing draughts coming through the zip.

A panel of fleece at the top of the zip prevents chin scratch.

Big pockets are great for storing maps, guidebooks and gloves, but they can also be used to protect your hands from wind and light rain. Rucksack belts obscure access to some pockets so make sure they’re well-positioned to avoid this problem. A fleece jacket can be too warm sometimes, so mesh linings in pockets can also increase airflow to help keep you cool.

SMOCK OR JACKET? A smock design allows a large chest pocket to be fitted, and it also reduces weight and bulk compared to a jacket.

But a jacket can be more easily ventilated via the front zip and is more fashionable.

UN UNDER

MAGAZINE

£50 50

APPROVED

£28 / 691g (size men’s L)

m n

m n

£45 / 377g (size L)

£45 / 498g (men’s size L)

m n

Quechua Forclaz 600

Berghaus Prism

Columbia Fast Trek II Full Zip

hood; 3 main pockets; very warm; + price; side vent zips

the pockets have better access + price; than many

2 lower pockets + chest pocket; + price; good insulation; hem drawcords

–

–

–

www.decathlon.co.uk

possibly too warm; hood drawcords left to flap; no hem drawcord

FEATURES The features provided are ridiculous for the price being asked here. You get a hood plus three main pockets on the body. There are also pit zips to allow venting. The fabric is thick polyester, which is possibly too warm for milder months, but great in colder conditions.

There is no hem drawcord, though, and the hood drawcords are left to flap around. 4/5

www.berghaus.com

www.columbiasportswear.co.uk

no hood; no hem drawcords; only 2 pockets; not as warm as others

poor access to lower pockets when wearing a rucksack; no hood

Made from microfleece, so a little thinner and less warm than some other fleece jackets.

Down the sides the fleece has an even more open weave for greater airflow, but again less insulation. There are two main pockets that are placed slightly higher than some to allow better access when wearing a rucksack. There is no hood, though, and no hem drawcord. 3/5

There are a few more features here than on most fleeces at this price. So you get three outer pockets and a hem drawcord to lock out the wind. There is no hood, however, and no thumb loops. The fleece is fairly standard microfleece.

The drawback is that the lower pockets are too small for OS maps and have poor access when wearing rucksack hipbelts.

3/5

FIT

Available for men in sizes S to XXXL and for women in sizes XS to XXL, this fleece jacket also benefits from drawcords at the hood to improve the fit. The fit is very snug compared to others and I found the sleeves tended to ride up a little too, so you may want to try a size up from normal to compensate. The cuffs and hem are elasticated and provide a close fit. 4/5

The Prism is available for men in sizes S to XXXL and for women in sizes 8 to 20 – a very wide size range compared to other options.

The fit was pretty loose on me, though, with the cuffs, hem and collar all needing to be a closer fit to lock out draughts. As there is no adjustment available here from drawcords I’d recommend trying before buying.

2/5

Sizes are men’s S to XXL and women’s S to XL. The fit is slightly more relaxed than some ‘athletic’ designs. That hem drawcord can be used to improve the fit but I found the collar a bit too snug. The cuffs are elasticated and fitted better than some. Overall a good fit is possible due to there being a men’s and women’s version, plus some hem adjustment.

5/5

COMFORT

This is very warm, so you might want to try a thinner fleece from this brand if you like the other features. But in the depths of winter it would be ideal; it’s just too warm for milder conditions. The fleece isn’t quite as soft and stretchy as others, though, and feels slightly more restrictive. This may be due to the tighter-than-average fit though.

4/5

This is quite a comfy layer to wear, if it fits you better than it did me. The fleece is light and allows good airflow at the sides, making it useful for warmer weather. The fit does allow it to be worn over other thinner layers too. The soft fabric sits well over arms when combined with a short-sleeved base layer. But it could be draughty at the hem, cuffs and collar.

3/5

This fleece is very comfortable to wear as the fabric is cosy and warm, making this a good all-round experience. The hem drawcord blocks out draughts, but there is no baffle behind the zip so this area is chilly compared to other designs. Also there is no soft fleece to prevent the top of the zip from scratching the neck.

3/5

IN USE

The two main pockets are OS map-sized but access is slightly obscured by rucksack hipbelts, as the pockets are set a little too low. The third chest pocket is very useful for a GPS receiver, compass or phone though.

The hood fits and moves well with the hood but the pair of drawcords are very annoying as they’re left to fly around in the wind. 3/5

The two pockets are what set this apart from other fleece jackets with low price tags as they both take OS maps; and while their access is obscured by rucksacks with hipbelts, they are less obscured and larger than some. But the cuff and collar fit means this is draughty on the hill and I did get some cuff movement when wearing a rucksack and scrambling. 3/5

The material is fine on the hill but the two lower pockets don’t take maps and can’t easily be accessed while wearing a rucksack with a hipbelt. But the chest pocket is useful for a GPS receiver, phone or compass. There is no hood so you’ll need to keep a hat close to hand. The cuffs don’t ride up too badly though and at least there is that hem drawcord to reduce draughts. 3/5

VALUE

For the price this is remarkable value as you are getting so many features, making this outstanding if you are short on cash.

5/5

The value for money is very good as many fleeces at this price have even worse pockets, or no pockets at all.

5/5

Most fleeces at this price are even less ideal than this for the hill, so this is good value for the price tag.

5/5

There are lot of features here for the money but they aren’t quite perfectly designed and this may be too warm outside of winter.

A low-priced fleece that isn’t very warm.

It does at least have map-sized pockets but you do get a far better jacket if you can pay more.

The Fast Trek II Full Zip is a generalpurpose fleece that is good for the price, but you get a ‘hill-friendlier’ jacket if you pay more.

VERDICT

4.0/5

3.2/5

3.8/5

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 83

ROUTE 1 MARCH 2016

Lake District 12.9km/8 miles 4¾ hours ROUTE STATS

Skiddaw

On Longside Edge, looking over to Derwent Water.

TOM BAILEY

Strenuousness ● ● ● ● ● Navigation ●●●●● Technicality ●●●●● Wainwrights 4 Trail 100s 1

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everal place The main path slants across screes names around on Skiddaw’s south-west flank.

Skiddaw have unknown origins, with neither ‘the hill of the archer’ nor ‘the hill of the jutting crag’ seeming appropriate to Skiddaw itself. An 1805 document suggesting Skiddaw might mean ‘the land of dark shadow’ seems rather more plausible – at least until you discover it requires a Greek origin to the name rather musical heritage, if Keswick inventor than Old Norse. However Ullock Pike’s Peter Crosthwaite’s 1785 discovery on the origins appear undisputed – from the Old mountain of six perfectly tuned ‘notes’ of Norse úlfr and leikr, meaning ‘the hill rock, had come earlier. A further 10 notes where wolves play’. required fine-tuning by carving, but Skiddaw might have been named for its enabled him to build a small lithophone, or

‘rock xylophone’, out of hornfels – a rare type of slate.

Crosthwaite was later upstaged

by Keswick stonemason/musician Joseph Richardson, whose larger, eight-octave lithophone was used to perform classics such as those of Handel and Mozart.

He even played for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace by Royal Command (both instruments are still on display at Keswick Museum and Art Gallery). So listen carefully as you tread this route – more ‘rock notes’ may yet be waiting on this 'musical mountain'.

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 101

CHIZ DAKIN

Follow ‘the hill where wolves play’ to find the best edge up ‘the musical mountain’ of Skiddaw, suggests Chiz Dakin.

Lake District

ROUTE 1 MARCH 2016

Always take a map out with you on the hill

12.9km/8 miles 4¾ hours ROUTE INFO Dumfries ewart Carlisle Keswick

Penrith

Windermere Kendal Ingl Ben L ncast

Distance 12.9km (8 miles) Total ascent 900m Time 4¾ hours Start/finish Bassenthwaite village green (NY229321) Nearest town Keswick Terrain country lanes, fields, grassy ridges, path over scree, stony broad summit plateau

ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING © CROWN COPYRIGHT. CREATED WITH MEMORY-MAP. LICENCE MEDIA089/12

Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL4; OS Landranger (1:50,000) 90; Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Lake District North Accommodation wide choice in Keswick; try Brundholme Guest House (01768) 773305, www.brundholme. co.uk; YHA Keswick, 0845 371 9746, www. yha.org.uk/keswick; C&CC campsite, Keswick (01768) 772392, www.campingand caravanningclub.co.uk Public transport trains to Penrith then bus X4 to Bassenthwaite Guidebooks Lake District Fellranger NW

by Mark Richards, pb Cicerone Tourist info Keswick TIC (01768) 772645, lakedistrict.gov.uk Best pub The Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite, (01768) 776439, www.thesuninn.org.uk

GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! In association with

www.viewranger. com/trail Route code TRL0805

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NY229321 Exit the village green with entrance gates to some large farm buildings immediately to your right. Continue straight ahead at a junction (on Burthwaite). At a sharp bend left, continue ahead over a stile into a field.

There are no footpath junctions between here and the next lane (about 800m ahead), but keep a sharp lookout for sudden turns and kinks in the route, and note that some waymarkers and stiles are a bit hidden in the hedgerows.

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Edge. A heathery edge narrowing to shattered rock heralds the summit of Ullock Pike.

NY244287 The ridgeline now begins a gentle eastwards trend over Longside Edge to pass over an intermediate (though more distinct) top at 734m. It then broadens and becomes significantly more grassy as it dips to a slight col by Carlside Tarn. Veer slightly south to Carl Side summit if you're bagging Wainwrights.

102 TRAIL MARCH 2016

6 by a short reascent to the north top, where the path peters out. From here a rough magnetic bearing of 353 degrees for 1.3km should get to you to the slight col before Cockup.

But don’t descend too soon to the left (pointless re-ascent/difficult ground), nor too far to the right (risk of being on wrong bank of Dead Beck).

NY260285 Return along the ridgeline, passing over the summit by a trig point. With good visibility, there are great views over Skiddaw Forest (a former hunting reserve) to Blencathra.

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Ullock Pike

Carl Side

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NY245319 Turn left and head downhill on the country lane for roughly 250m. Take a footpath into fields by a farm track and trend slightly westwards over three (often boggy) fields.

In good weather, enjoy the view left over the horseshoe you’ve just done then in the third field bend left at the far end to gain a lane.

NY259312 A faint path emerges above the head of Cockup Gill (a slight col) and leads leftwards to join a steep, grassy bridleway. Follow this through fields in an arrow-straight line, crossing several gates and one small ford. Join a farm track, which leads very shortly to a country lane.

NY260290 A wide stony track leads gently down, followed

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NY242304 The temptation is to cross the stream on the gravel track. Don’t; instead fork right on a much fainter grassy track.

This gradually bends away from the stream then slightly west to join a clearer track continuing up Ling How and The

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NY256282 The well-trodden path takes an unexpected line up the south-west screes of Skiddaw, avoiding the furthest south tip of the summit ridge. It steepens significantly on stony ground (which can be tricky in descent). Once at the ridgeline, detour briefly right to the southern top.

NY237310 Turn right and uphill, following a short line of straggly hawthorn bushes. Bend left onto a grassy ledge track, leading through a gate and across two further fields, bending right and uphill in the second. Once in access land a clearer track contours above Southerndale Beck.

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METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL

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NY237314 Exit right onto a country lane. After nearly 500m (just before a large layby) turn very sharp left into fields. The footpath crosses a stream, then veers away under a set of telephone wires to angle gently up the hillside.

Pass a waymarker (bridleway to Skiddaw), then meet a path junction roughly 100m later.

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GRADIENT PROFILE

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Skiddaw

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NY238320 Turn right and head past Burthwaite farm. As the road bends left, an optional footpath leads right through fields back to the village green.

Alternatively just follow the road back!

Cockup

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Finish

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WALKS OF A LIFETIME

Dragon’s Teeth Here’s a two-day backpack at the sharp end of the Dragon’s Back – the best long distance route in Wales – as described by Jeremy Ashcroft.

122 TRAIL MARCH 2016

Snowdonia

21km/13 miles 9 hours You can't better the view of Tryfan and Bristly Ridge than the one from Llyn Caseg-fraith. Š ALEX NAIL

MARCH 2016 TRAIL 123