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Topic: Finished the South Downs Way

neileppey

11/8/2012 at 7:30pm
Location: West Sussex
Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5

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Hi All,

Went back on Thursday to finish the south Downs Way. Arrived at Pyecombe at about 10am then hiked to Lewes (14.5 miles, 1600ft of elevation) where I camped at a small site. Coupke of beers at the local pub followed by Vest Chow Mein in the Jetboil.
Got up early Friday to walk to Eastbourne via Alfriston. Completed the walk at about 14:00 after doing 20 miles with about 2000 ft of elevation (still had another 1/1/2 miles to the station, so 36 miles in 2 days.
Got the pack weight down to 25lb without water (tap on route Thursday and 2 villages Friday for water). Trail food wasd gel packs, peanuts and maximuscle bars.

Good Points.
Great weather, not too many other hikers or cyclists.
Eastboure airshow was on and I had some of the best views from the hills behing Eastbourne.
Walking in Trail running shoes and not boots.
Great views over the downs, Newhaven and Eastbourne.

Bad points.
After an hour the aircraft noise was annoying.
Lots of condensation in the F10 (should have left the flysheet open).
Eastbourne was packed with lots of Obese people waddleing along. After doing 20 miles I just wanted to get to the train station quickly.
Unpacking 3 pairs of used socks from a drysack.

Post last edited on 11/08/2012 19:38:13

Sceptical Camper

13/8/2012 at 8:43am
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
Outfit: Various tents

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Nice one Neil - well done

A very respectable mileage for two days, especially with a full pack.

Your pack weight of 11.3 kilograms sounds good. Which tent were you using? (My total pack weight is now down to 9Kg without water or food - plus add about 900 grammes for the hill jacket if it's in the pack).

I too find frequent change of socks is essential on longer walks.

Did you get any photos?

neileppey

13/8/2012 at 9:35am
Location: West Sussex
Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5

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Hi Skip,

Pack weight was preety good. You get away with less as you never change your clothes.
Tent Vango F10 Helium 200 superlite + groundsheet 1.4kg
Pack Golite Quest                             1.6kg
Sleeping bag /mat / Liner                     1.7 kg
Jetboil + Mug                                 0.85 kg
Food                                          1.0 kg
Clothing                                      1.5 kg
Towel + Wash kit                             0.6 kg
First aid / Solar charger etc                 0.9 kg
Rest was made up of maps / trekking poles / water bottle / insultaing mat

The weight would go up in winter as the clothing (paramo quito rain jacket, thin fleece, t-shirt, shorts and underwear / socks) and sleeping bag would be more (only a 1 season bag taken) and a pack cover, but I would leave the liner behind as clothing would be worn in the bag. Took a picture of the tent and will post it later.
As for socks it was a very warm couple of days, just wore thin or liner socks and changed them half way on both days.
The pack is the big weight but I cannot find another internal frame 70l pack that's any lighter.
Any idea if you are going on the Malvern walk on the Saturday yet?
I might try to get another night in this w/end as the Mrs is away. Have a days rock climbing in Kent booked for the 1st Sep then the walk the following w/end.

ZIZAG

13/8/2012 at 6:22pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Coleman Novae x 2. + Helium force 10

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Hello Neil .

Excellant Yomp/walk over the 2 days . Glad you enjoyed the South Downs & Eastbourne , sounds great . And the weather was kind to you

Also the free Airshow . Untill they did their bombing runs . Its good that you are getting the weight down In your pack .

As I know carrying a Litre a of water add's more weight . The list of your gear Is good . As I am trying to get my pack weight down also .

Starting with the Rucksack . I'm thinking of getting a 50 litre Golite Jam ,its under a Kilo .

Well done again .

neileppey

13/8/2012 at 7:26pm
Location: West Sussex
Outfit: Outwell Wolf Lake 5

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Hi ZigZag,

Thanks for that. Many congratulations on completing the Andover walk.

Funny you should mention the Golite Jam as I was looking at that pack after reading the 4th edition of Chris Townsends'Backpackers Handbook. He uses the Jam for loads up to 30lbs.
I'm not sure I would get all my winter gear into the 50l and the 70l weighs 884g. Also read the review on backpacking lite and the recommended weight was only 10-12kg. Also I don't think it has an internal frame only padding.
If you do get one I would be intrested in your review.

Neil

Sceptical Camper

13/8/2012 at 7:40pm
Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
Outfit: Various tents

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Quote: Originally posted by neileppey on 13/8/2012
You get away with less as you never change your clothes.

Cheeky sod!

Yup, Malvern is definitely on (see OM). Email me for more details if you need to.

Quote: Originally posted by ZIZAG on 13/8/2012
As I know carrying a Litre a of water adds more weight

It adds a kilo per litre.

Quote: Originally posted by neileppey on 13/8/2012
... not sure I would get all my winter gear into the 50l and the 70l weighs 884g

I get my summer one-nighter gear into a 44L sack but TBH it's a bit of a struggle. Conversely, I reckon 70L is overly large if one is lightweighting it. Even so, 884 grams is pretty light for a 70L pack - can it really be full frame at that weight?

heather + phil

14/8/2012 at 8:25am
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It's interesting how quickly weight in a rucksack becomes the whole focus of the trip. I've only ever done one night at a time, doing an average of 15 miles a day, so it's something that I'm going to have to work on at some point. I'm getting interested in military equipment, as my logic is they should know what's best to have. So far, I've got an army trangia and a poncho. I will look into basha's, bivi's and backpacks, to see if this might help. Either way, I'm not turning myself into one of those gram weenies!!

It sounds like you had a great time, Neileppey, have you planned your next trip?

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The true test of fairness is how fair you are to those who are not

Dinkydeb

19/8/2012 at 9:49pm
Location: Northampton
Outfit: Campus Borneo 4 + Lily (Jack Russell)

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Well done on your walk, brings back memories for me. I did the South Downs Way in the early 80s .... with a pack pony, so weight not so much of an issue. Was wondering if it would be possible to tow a pack rather than carry it, or whether it would be too much of a faff!? Have in mind lightweight aluminium frame with biggish rugged wear wheels and pole attachment to a hip belt. Would enable one to walk hands free and carry a liitle more, not sure what an osteopath would think

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Dinkydeb

19/8/2012 at 10:01pm
Location: Northampton
Outfit: Campus Borneo 4 + Lily (Jack Russell)

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Wish I'd Googled walking trailers before my post above. Its been thought of so my fortune-making grand idea has just hit the bin.

Anyone tried this way of camping over long distance - it would solve the problems of counting every gram?

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