tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:16:28 +0000hiking trailLong walkKilimanjaroequipmenthow to prevent blistersblistersHighlandsNational 3 PeaksLeedsLeeds Country WaySatmapprevent chafingwalkmeterCairngormsLake DistrictLakeland 3000'sTrailtrekkerYorkshire Dalesmerrell moab midMountain Equipment LightlineMunrosOxfam Trailtrekkerangels peakbootscairn toulcairngorms0409devils pointkeen targhee midlairig ghruphotographyreviewCorrour BothyLyme Diseasechafingglencoekitlong distance walkingmerrellrepairGlen EtiveSatmap Active 10ScotlandSkiddawWolds WayYorkshire WoldsmeindlwainwrightwalkwalksA' MharconaichBase BrownBeinn UdlamainBen NevisBidean Nam BianBingleyButtermereEmbsayGeal-CharnGreat GableGreen GableHarewood HouseHaystacksLoch EtiveNational TrailsRed PikeSgairneach MhorShiraStob Coire SgreamachTrekTurkeyavonbolton abbeycraghoppersgasgeographyharrison stickleinjuryiphone walkmeter appkiwiloft cragmeindl berninamidgesmunro baggingnorth facenorth face hedgehogpavey arkpike of sticklern toulscafell pikeskismidgesnowdonsombrerothunacar knottticksturbinewalking poleswalking with childrenwindBackpacking light along many a hiking trail across the UK and World with walks such as Oxfam Trailtrekker, National 3 Peaks, Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Leeds Country Way and Kilimanjarohttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)Blogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-6334800763088968555Thu, 17 Nov 2016 17:19:00 +00002016-11-17T17:19:26.245+00:00A' MharconaichBeinn UdlamainGeal-CharnHighlandshiking trailScotlandSgairneach MhorDate: 15th June 2008 Those there: Me on my Jack Jones Hills Climbed: Sgairneach Mhor, Beinn Udlamain, A' Mharconaich and Geal-Charn Map: Explorer 393 Distance: about 11 miles (ascent 1150m) I was staying in Scotland again at this time and got a bit of spare time so jibbed out for a walk in those there hills (more appropriately mountains really). I got a lift to the start of this hiking trail ashttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2016/11/four-moody-munros.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-483215573774051962Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:05:00 +00002014-08-15T12:04:50.808+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersTrailtrekkerwainwrightYorkshire DalesWith the Trailtrekker just around the corner (I now cannot believe I have committed to doing this again with in looming) and the training in full flight jaunting across the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District bagging Wainwrights the prevalence of blisters is back with me so I've been again on the hunt for ways as to how to prevent blisters. I came across this video by Cotswold Outdoors; http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2014/04/another-slant-on-how-to-prevent-blisters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-2692632439280202914Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:10:00 +00002016-12-12T11:53:25.222+00:00walking with childrenAs I've just had a baby, well my wife did, my thoughts have turned to the practicality of walking with children (more specifically babies) pretty swiftly. Seemingly they can only be carried in a baby carrier when they are around six months old or when they can hold their head up so we've got a few months to wait yet. I reckon the key to this is comfort, obviously, as there is going to wind up http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/12/walking-with-children.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-6695502069506301288Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:16:00 +00002014-08-15T12:06:59.779+01:00craghoppersequipmentkiwimunro baggingThat's in the American sense of the word pants - like trousers. I've had two pairs of Craghoppers Kiwi convertible trousers which have been worn to death (well I've attempted to but against all odds they've survived - they've been indestructible). They have stood the test of time so have proved that they are great value for money in that regard. After a recent spell of Munro Bagging however I washttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-search-for-pants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-1069145018250268674Mon, 12 Aug 2013 09:53:00 +00002016-12-12T12:09:51.233+00:00blistershiking trailhow to prevent blisterslong distance walkingLong walkOxfam Trailtrekkerprevent chafingTrailtrekkerYorkshire DalesNow on painkillers we left for Conistone. I was in absolute agony here the blister I'd just treated on my right heel was killing me and my boot was rubbing on my left ankle. My stomach was still playing silly devils and my knee was giving me grief. I figured that we had about 7 hours to go if all went well, then it would all be over. The only saving grace that I didn't have to concern myself withhttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-review-of-oxfam-trailtrekker-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-1294958344988469857Thu, 08 Aug 2013 09:42:00 +00002016-12-12T12:03:58.951+00:00chafinghiking trailhow to prevent blisterslong distance walkingLong walkOxfam Trailtrekkerprevent chafingTrailtrekkerOn departure from here all our kit was checked by Oxfam Trailtrekker staff as we were now to be walking through the night and at this point it was raining further along the course so we had to be ready for the wet. We also needed to show we had high viz vests, head torches, space blankets, food, water, map, compass and Oxfam Trailtrekker instructions for safety reasons which we did. We ploughed http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-review-of-oxfam-trailtrekker-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-6191015076664999474Tue, 06 Aug 2013 08:37:00 +00002016-12-12T11:59:17.912+00:00chafinghiking trailhow to prevent blisterslong distance walkingLong walkOxfam Trailtrekkerprevent chafingTrailtrekkerYorkshire DalesThere was a briefing and meal organised for the Friday night at the school where we were due to start on the Saturday morning. With 350 teams competing, if you can call it competing, there were 4 start times, 6am, 7am, 8am, and 9am. Being that we were to come from Leeds we decided to go for a 9am start so our sleep wasn't limited. If we were camping at Aireville School as some people were I thinkhttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-review-of-oxfam-trailtrekker-part-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-4298556485877383773Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:43:00 +00002014-08-15T12:08:33.954+01:00kitsombreroTrailtrekker I did the Trailtrekker recently and part of the essential kit was a wide brimmed sun hat. So i went browsing on t'interweb. Most of these are called sombreros - similar to those decorative monstrosities that the Mexicans wear. The idea obviously is to keep the sun off your face and off your neck, perfect. I bought one without a rope or string or whatever it's called that goes under your chinhttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/07/sombrero-for-sun-and-for-wind.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-1441376191326241386Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:08:00 +00002014-08-13T13:15:30.260+01:00blistershow to prevent blisterskeen targhee midkitI've been on a quest to prevent blisters of late in he run up to the Oxfam Trailtrekker which was a couple of weeks ago. Well on that note I had a flash of inspiration recently following the gradual destruction of my feet over he course of the 28 hours of the Trailtrekker. So blisters are caused by compression (constant pressure) and/or friction. The friction is exacerbated by moisture which is http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/07/b-is-for-boots-and-for-blisters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-5936575530323898754Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:01:00 +00002014-08-15T12:14:23.155+01:00These ongoing updates/posts on the Walkmeter App and the Satmap Active 10 are getting a bit dull but it is only fair I correct previous inaccuracies, I'm fairly sure this will be the last. It appears that, following my previous posts on the Walkmeter App, that I've not been wholly fair to it. I've said all along that the Walkmeter App is great for recording walks but not for use as a mapping or http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/06/walkmeter-app-again-but-it-just-gets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-5602013954772457771Wed, 29 May 2013 07:35:00 +00002013-05-29T08:35:15.904+01:00prevent chafingI went for a walk at the weekend and tried out the cycling shorts in an attempt to minimise the chafing. The correct term for these Lycra skin tight beauties is compression shorts although for all intents and purposes they appear to me to be the same thing. The logic behind this is that they keep everything in one place and prevent movement which in turn minimises friction and in turn prevents http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/hold-it-all-in-to-prevent-chafing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-7072560194862131458Fri, 24 May 2013 07:52:00 +00002013-05-24T08:52:50.972+01:00prevent chafingI identified that, whilst at a leisurely pace it prevents chafing, talc is no good at pace when there's more friction.So the obvious answer is Vaseline. I tried this last night and I applied it liberally. It prevented chafing infinitely better than the talc but there was still movement and therefore a touch of friction. I could live with it at these levels though but no doubt over 100km it will http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/lubricate-to-prevent-chafing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-2602588773504769009Thu, 23 May 2013 07:45:00 +00002016-12-12T12:15:43.122+00:00bootskeen targhee midreviewSo following my escapades with the Merrell Mid Moab boots I took a jaunt over to Pickering to see a chum of mine at Trailblazer Outdoors, which is where I got my Meindl Bernina Boots (review here). As soon as I tried them on  the difference was overwhelming. I have got strangely wide feet, sufficiently so that a sixth toe probably wouldn't look out of place. These boots however accommodatedhttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/keen-targhee-mid-boots-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-2569473795935446772Wed, 22 May 2013 08:26:00 +00002016-12-12T12:19:09.189+00:00hiking trailLeedsLeeds Country WaywalkwalkmeterStill training for the Oxfam Trailtrekker, myself and my brother went and trudged part of the Leeds Country Way from the middle of Woodlesford. We started off heading towards the canal where I'd walked previously on one of my worst Leeds Country Way experiences. We walked down the canal again passed the boat moorings and meandered down to Mickletown. We left the canal here and where previously http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-circular-walk-on-leeds-country-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-3545835423722402925Tue, 21 May 2013 14:21:00 +00002013-05-21T15:21:18.109+01:00chafingprevent chafingI think I've now nailed how to prevent blisters, or as much as I can anyway, now I'm looking to prevent chafing. I think over 100km it will be impossible to avoid blisters altogether but so long as I can minimise them to a large extent I'll be delighted. The next issue though, outside of fitness is looking to prevent chafing. This is exceptionally uncomfortable at the end of a long meander and http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/prevent-chafing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-3096854738400452364Mon, 20 May 2013 08:28:00 +00002013-05-22T09:25:05.385+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersAlways on the quest a chap I'm doing the Oxfam Trailtrekker was in Cotswold Outdoor the other day and they mentioned Stride Out. This is some formula of oils that you rub into your feet before you put your socks on and it is "supposed" to prevent blisters. Seemingly all it takes is to rub 5ml (a teaspoon) worth of Stride Out into each foot and hey presto. They didn't have any in the shop so http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-secret-weapon-in-how-to-prevent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-1745876933082302567Wed, 15 May 2013 08:23:00 +00002013-05-20T12:21:41.933+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersSo I went out for a swift 9 mile walk yesterday evening and due to me having run out of combinations of socks I tried just wearing one pair of thick socks so see how they faired with the whole blister situation. Only over 9 miles I didn't think I'd have an issue, especially considering my recent yomping. What I did do though was to tape up the areas I had been getting repeated blisters with http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/proved-right-and-right-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-496225185183185545Tue, 14 May 2013 08:13:00 +00002014-08-14T12:36:30.880+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersWithout the right footwear you are inevitably going to get blisters where your feet rub against your shoes or boots. But conditioning your feet is crucial apparently when looking at how to prevent blisters. There are a number of ways of doing this apparently from what I glean from other folk (primarily those who've already completed the Oxfam Trailtrekker) and from reading whatever I can on that http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-blisters-by-looking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-2589666379291156076Wed, 08 May 2013 12:17:00 +00002014-08-14T12:39:11.836+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersThese posts on how to prevent blisters are in preparation of me walking the 62 miles (or 100km) in order to complete the Oxfam Trailtrekker in June. All preparation will be futile if, on the day, I don't take the necessary steps to prevent blisters. I've already touched on the socks and that wearing 2 pairs (one this wicking pair and one cushioned pair) reduces the friction on your feet as helpshttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-blisters-on-big-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-4181024637052485367Tue, 07 May 2013 08:57:00 +00002016-12-12T12:21:15.547+00:00Bidean Nam BianGlen Etiveglencoehiking trailStob Coire Sgreamach Glen Etive We did this awesome walk out of Glen Etive up Bidean Nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach when we were staying in Glen Etive a year or so ago (at the same time as we did this walk) but I never had the chance to log the hike so here it is. We started off from the car park in Glen Etive (158508) and walked northerly up the road until we reached the stream (164509). We left the roadhttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/hike-from-glen-etive-up-bidean-nam-bian.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-3577905080751927016Fri, 03 May 2013 07:40:00 +00002014-08-13T12:53:29.085+01:00blistershow to prevent blistersThis probably seems like the glaringly obvious and most important way in how to prevent blisters and in many ways it is. Firstly ill look at socks as after all they are footwear. As blisters are caused by friction and rubbing on the skin a way to prevent blisters in to use an extra pair of socks. You can buy socks that are ultra thin which can be worn under your hiking socks and make little http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-blisters-footwear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-980781999315000220Thu, 02 May 2013 10:28:00 +00002016-12-12T12:25:03.178+00:00hiking trailkeen targhee midLeedsLeeds Country Waymerrell moab midHaving walked part of the Leeds Country way through Harewood Estate previously and the parts to the northern parts of Leeds being the nicest so far I decided to go out and try do around 25 miles from Golden Acre Park. The intention was to literally walk out of the park for 12 or so miles then about heel and walk back the way I came, whilst its the same route I suppose its a bit of a differenthttp://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/following-leeds-country-way-from-golden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-6623440876513699180Wed, 01 May 2013 09:09:00 +00002013-05-22T09:25:46.214+01:00blistershow to prevent blisters This Oxfam Trailtrekker challenge has really led me to seek ways as to how to prevent blisters. The last few long distance walks I've been on for training I've ended up with loads of blisters (more like growths than blisters actually), well I call them long distance walks they were only really 20 some miles so they probably don't fall into the long distance walk bracket but for all intents and http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-prevent-blisters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-3036244302877941325Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:48:00 +00002013-04-22T08:48:57.445+01:00iphone walkmeter appreviewSatmapSatmap Active 10walkmeter It crossed my mind once I'd posted the Walkmeter vs Satmap Active 10 review that I had omitted something which was quite crucial. It is with reference to the Satmap Active 10, the Walkmeter review I feel is fair and true to the best of my knowledge. The Satmap Active 10 however is inaccurate as an out of the box unit. Unfortunately at the outset I found the battery life to be substandard and http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-addendum-to-my-iphone-walkmeter-app.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320930881064374793.post-1238972112848861680Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:17:00 +00002016-12-12T12:25:40.986+00:00reviewSatmapSatmap Active 10walkmeter So of late I've been using the old iPhone with the Walkmeter app (review here) far more than I've been using the Satmap active 10 (review here). Why? A number of reasons but that's not to say that the Satmap active 10 has been made redundant - no way, its an awesome piece of kit! So where does the Walkmeter iPhone app trump the Satmap Active 10? Firstly its convenient... The iphone is a http://roamthehills.blogspot.com/2013/04/walkmeter-vs-satmap-active-10.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CF Rich)0