Now this is MY KIND OF FILM 🍿 thank you so much for taking me with you. I loved the balance of the journey, kit chat, emotions and scenery. When you got to camp I loved the excitement for where your chosen as being perfect for you. Excellent video quality too. I’ve asked husbandito for the chair and a new mat 🤩 Santa might jut bring it this year, cost of living and all that ha ha…also it was interesting to hear re your income from UA-cam, nobody really shares that stuff. Awesome, ATB, Sarah
Haha morning Sarah! I'm glad that hit the spot! Great shout on the Thermarest chair. I've seen loads of people using them over the years, but didn't really believe that it could be particularly good or comfy. So glad I took the plunge! Most people buy the 20" wide Thermarest mats, so just be sure you...ahem...Santa...chooses the right width of chair kit (20" vs 25") to suit your new mat. Thank you very much for the kind comments! 😊 James.
Some stove chat. I'm a cycle tourer and I use the trangia 27. I have the gas conversion with it also so I can use both gas and meths. Love the video😊 thanks.
Thank you for your comments on this video, Steven. The Beacons give some magnificent views! It did get pretty cold on this camp - down trousers made it feel like California though (almost)! Thanks for watching. James.
You have a good eye for a pitch 👌 I thought a cold Friday night could be a good time to try it out. Not much foot traffic at all. Busy in the morning though!
Hi James What stunning views and such a great spot to pitch up. Thank you for your reviews. I find your honesty and the clear way you explain everything, so inspiring. Please keep up the great work you do on you channel. Absolutely brilliant. Have a great Christmas.
As I said on Insta, this was on my list of spots to camp. It's a great spot. Well made video as always and great light and scenes. Ill definitely consider some down pants as my legs tend to be coldest on a camp.
Well hopefully it's still on your list, as it is an excellent place to sling a tent. I think I had underestimated just how much heat I lose through my legs as the down trousers made such a dramatic difference - both inside my sleeping bag and out. Maybe Father Christmas will sort you out! 😉 Cheers, James.
Evening, Chris! The Beacons are always worth hopping in the car for aren't they? There was a definite shortage of people, apart from the usual masses gathering on Pen Y Fan in the morning for sunrise, but I had a nice chilled out morning where I was. Thanks for dropping in 🙏🏻 James.
Cheers Steve! One of the really cool benefits of making these videos is that I'll be able to go back and relive these camps for years to come, hopefully! Awesome bedtime views though, you're not wrong there! Thanks, James.
Beautiful little film and wow, what a super place to pitch, stunning. With regards to the stove. I've used a MSR Wisperlite back in the day when I was backpacking in Africa due to the lack of availability of gas. I used kerosene which is very easy to get hold of but is a dirty, smelly way to cook but needs must. Here in the UK I do a little bit of winter camping and when temps are sub zero I always use MSR Isopro gas and a stove with a pressure regulator and it's never failed. But being "Captain Cautious" I like to also take 100ml of bio ethanol and a little x boil alcohol burner/puck as a back up. Anyway enough of my ramblings, I'm going to enjoy a few more of your adventures. 👍
Thanks Dudley. I would happily relive this trip many times over - particularly if I had a bit more time available before the sun went down. I haven't looked into the make-up of the various gases on the market for a while. I tend to assume that most of the cold weather special mixes are doing roughly the same thing as one another, but perhaps that's a bit ignorant. I'm glad the MSR Isopro works for you, and the X Boil stoves seem very popular. Captain Cautious doesn't get caught out with calamitous cooking on cold camps! 😉
Thank you for a great video. There are so many hiking/ camping channels out there that are very samey, so it’s often difficult to find a new one that piques my interest. Yours did and you have a new subscriber! I really enjoyed your narration, videography and your mix of different elements such as scenery, gear chat etc. Please keep it going and make more!
Hi Danny. Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. I'm really glad you felt that this video stood out. That means a lot. Welcome to my channel! James.
Thank you, Nick 🤗 I know exactly what you mean. I often like the idea of the horseshoe and its views, but it's just not the same when it's crowded. Winter makes it that bit easier to enjoy the popular places in peace 😊 James.
Thanks for this. I'm glad it works for you 👍 Hopefully the chapters make it easy for people to pick out the bits they want from these longer vids! Haha lightweight camper here 🤣 Cheers! James.
Be careful though, Ryan Jordan over at Backpacking Light, just put up à vidéo of à winter camp, and the meal pouch had a defect and leaked quickly all over his clothes.
@@littlegreenlibrarian there is a skill to it, always seal and then a little cheeky squeeze first.. that would suck to have a reindeer stew inside your jacket
Thanks Andy. It's fortunate that my drone refused to fly on Day 1 of this trip, otherwise I would have wedged at least another 20 minutes of aerial footage in! It was all looking very pretty in that light 😍 Cheers for watching 👍 James.
I'd love to know how people manage these 10 kg pack weights in winter! My food and water alone would have totalled more than half of that on this camp. So add a tent, sleeping bag and mat and I'm already over 10 kg. I must be missing something major here 🤔🤯
Cracking video. One hell of a spot there. Regarding the stoves, I've not got a liquid fuel stove but on the odd occasion when I've been out and it's dropped below 0 overnight, I put my gas cartridge and stove and water filter kin my insulated pouch and leave in the tent. Point taken about minus 10 temperatures but minus 2 or 3 below and its been fine. Primus also have winter gas cartridges but I've not yet tested them myself. Gimmick? Don't know. I've also got that Trekker chair adaptor and yes its fantastic. Great video. Regards, Wadi.
Hi Wadi. Glad you enjoyed the vid! This is what I've done to date too, though I normally bring the gas canister inside the sleeping bag with me once temps are below freezing. It does make a big difference, but when temperatures are around -5°C and below, I find that the gas struggles to boil water. I use Coleman Extreme gas year-round, to help with temperatures, but felt it was time to try something that can really stand up to the cold. Not sure if the Whisperlite is the perfect solution for me, but it certainly doesn't mind the cold! The Trekker Chair Kit is an absolute masterpiece isn't it?? Very happy with that purchase! James 🤘
Here he is !!!! Mate I loved that !!!. Loads of really useful information and so well presented as always. That pitch is a real stunner mate can see why u were so excited to snag it. Drone footage was epic !! Loved the music on the nightlapse just all in all a class video. You're the man. ATB Simon
Good evening Mr Simon! Thanks a lot for giving my feature length film a watch. Ended up a bit long, this one! Couldn't believe I caught the edge of the Northern lights shimmering away there. Makes me want to go back to the same spot every weekend lol Cheers big man. Hope you're on the mend now 👍 James.
I have an MSR Dragonfly and have had that for just over 25 years and it still works as well as it did on day one...fantastic piece of kit. it has expeditioned all over the globe and if there is ever any doubt about conditions it's what goes with me. I also have an MSR Windburner but the Duo 1.8L...this is great because it has a hose to the cannister so you can use the canister right way or upside down...and still get all the Windburner benefits...it has never failed me, even down to minus 12 degrees in the UK. I will use the Xtreme gas in those conditions though i.e. higher propane content. Sometimes I'll pop the cannister in my jacket 5 mins...
This is an interesting one. On MSR's own website (on the Duo 1.8 L product page) they state explicitly that the Windburner is not to be run off an inverted canister. Are you finding that it operates well in this way?
@@joinmeoutdoors I did not know that. I mean, I don't want to advocate something they say not to do but err... how can I put this...I have had no probs in any orientation...upside down side and upright..I've also done the common sense stuff of putting the canister in water etc. I also put the canister in the foot box of my sleeping bag in the morning when it's really cold, that kind of thing.
@@TheArneSaknussemm No that's fair enough. Your experience is valid, and interesting! I regularly exceed the maximum weight rating of my rucksacks - sometimes things can do stuff that we're told they can't do! Keeping canisters warm certainly makes a big difference.
Thank you John. I did look for the lights a few times through the night but didn't see anything. Got quite a shock when I spotted them while editing! They are elusive things, aren't they? One day...
Thanks Daniel. I dropped a link to Trekitt in the video description text, as that's where I bought mine from. Other down trousers are available, though I don't think the sourcing of the feathers is as strictly controlled by some/most Chinese manufacturers. Rab are very careful when it comes to down sourcing, which steered me in their direction 👍 James.
Cracking video, James! The overnight timelapse was gorgeous. Pleased to see the Argon pants performed so well - thank you for the recommendation, can’t wait to try mine out in a couple of weeks.
Thanks Ste! I can't get enough of time lapses 🤩 You won't regret the Argon pants. Can't believe I could just sit there in below-freezing temps - plus some wind chill on top - and was warm. You'll love them!
Great video , awesome info and route, been looking at the argon pants for a while now myself, you have just made my mind up to purchase these, first time I’ve come across your channel tbh but will be definitely turning in more pal, 👍
Well OBVIOUSLY everyone needs a pair of Argon Pants!! 😂 Magical tubes of warmth. I'm sure you'll love them. Thanks for the comment, and welcome along ✌️ James.
I can recommend X-boil. Always works in all temperatures, simple and extremely light. “The woman” is from Sweden, not Norway 😊. l like your film and I have liked it and subscribed to your channel. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪
I do see X-boil stoves being used every now and then. They seem popular 😊 Thanks, yes, I found Stina's video again when I got home and I added a link to her video in my video description 👍 She gives good practical advice! Thank you, and welcome to my channel 🤗 James.
My heaviest winter pack weights are almost double my lightest summer pack weights! 😬 And yes, one of my favourite things about cold camps is the quieter countryside 😍 Thanks for watching! James.
This is a really nice video to watch, I enjoyed that. I pitched up in that same spot a few months ago, it really is an amazing spot to camp - especially in the conditions you had, beautiful! Good luck with the channel, I've just subbed to give you a boost.
Lush video james! Do enjoy your winter camps 👌 as always, very informative of the products you use (justins comment) ive been on about those trekker chairs for ages to Justin and now your video has convinced him, great teamwork 😂cheers 😜👍
Thank you, Kim! You really have to stop paying me to influence Justin's decisions like this 😅 (Sorry Justin!!) I should have bought one of these chairs years ago. It's bloody brilliant! 😁 James.
I have started using my msr reactor more . My msr whisper International is now shelf bound . Both awesome stove . Down side to reactor is its made just to boil . Which is fine for me
Are you a lazy camper like me who doesn't want to lug pans and ingredients up mountains for messy cook-ups too? A nice clean and simple boiling of water is about all I want too! Simmering to purify is necessary sometimes though...
How;s it going James. Lots to talk about. But I have already commented about the benefits micro spikes and the trekker chair (try it in the lounger postion inside your tent) in previous videos. So I'll try and confine myself to the stoves 😂. My go to stove is the soto windmaster 👌. But the type of stove you may interested in is the stove that I sometimes use is the Rubens firebug (106g) Its a remote cannister stove, the type you can invert the gas 👌. I think its the lightest of its type 😉
Afternoon Johnny! Can't wait to try lounging in luxury inside my tent when the moment arises 😎 The Rubens Firebug looks good. I notice that it doesn't have a vaporiser tube, so I wonder how it performs with an inverted canister compared to one that's equipped with a vaporiser? On face value it looks like a fairly normal gas stove with remote connection, but maybe they can all run well on an inverted canister? I don't think they can, but I'm not sure what the design differences are between those that can and those that can't! 🤔
Regarding your issues with the burner there are a few things you can do to help with cold weather. Firstly, fuel; butane only canisters are no good as they will not vaporise below -0.5*C. Propane is better for low temps and many canisters are a mix 20/80. However, propane will tend to burn off more quickly leaving mostly butane so bear that in mind. Ideally a burner with a regulator will help with maintaining pressure but it can only do so much. You need to keep the canister warm so insulate it from cold ground. You can get canister cozies but canister needs to be warm first. (canisters will cool from the inside when you're using them). You can stand the canister in a bowl of water, if it’s liquid then it is 0*C+. If the burner is struggling then you can add warmer water from the pot you're heating into the bowl it’s standing in to gradually warm it. Keep the canister inside your clothing before cooking and in your sleeping bag overnight. The multi fuel burners are great if you're abroad and fuel availability is varied. However they are more fiddly, bulky and noisy so I don't bother so much with them now. If i was melting lots of snow or doing longer trips i might reconsider taking it but haven't used mine for a long time.
Thank you for taking the time to type all of that out. I find that winter gas is just about okay down to about 0°C, but even sleeping with the canisters in my sleeping bag overnight, once ambient temps are below zero, the canisters cool so much in the few minutes it takes to boil water that they often can't achieve a boil. Heating water to warm the canister up will of course work, but I think at that point, a liquid fuel burner would be less inconvenient. I can see why you don't use liquid fuel stoves much anymore - as brilliant as they are, they're a bit time-consuming! Inverted canister stoves sound like the sweet spot for winter, I just haven't tried one yet. I'll be sure to share some videos when I decide to take the plunge! James.
@@joinmeoutdoors some epic drone shots, but your sunset behind Pen-y-Fan was rather special. I may camp there, though will scout the area for potential "bathrooms" first! Never noticed that plateau on Cribyn before.
@hedleythorne It was a gorgeous evening. I think if I'd arrived one or two hours earlier to sit out and watch the sun drop I would have lost my mind 😅😍 I really ought to write to the council about the lack of public toilets up there 😜
Fantastic video! I'm slowly getting together the equipment to go bikepacking around Dartmoor in spring. I'm going o to head out for my first wild camp (only an overnighter) in a few weeks to test out the kit I've collected so far! For some reason I'm getting stupidly excited!
That sounds like a perfectly justifiable reason to be excited!! 😀 There's some awesome cycling to be had around Dartmoor, including some good challenging hills. That sounds like a great adventure! Thanks for the comment 😊 James.
Nearly 22 kgs and you take the long route to Cribyn, you really are bonkers. You obviously don't feel the cold either - no hat until it gets biting by the looks...🥶 Its got to be about 5 or 6 years since I walked up onto Graig Fan Ddu and the track looks to have become a real path these days - the MT and Beacons staff have been putting a loyt of work into path management by the looks 👋 In think I have menetioned to you the spot some call Dai's Terrace previously, great spot for a camp although I ain't done it myself I have sat n had a cuppa there many times. I think I would have tried either the miscro spikes or the exospikes on the surface you were walking on - to me they would have offered at least some grip opposed to slippery vibram soles? Fabulous view down into Cwm Sere from the terrace - on a better day I would recommend a walk across the goat track to the bottom of the snout. Great view of it at 35:56 on the drone footage. Cracking watch James... you really do deserve the excellent weather for the effort you put in, well done. Atb Al
Morning Al! I suspect my pack did actually tip over the 22 kg threshold with the chocolate and snack bars I snuck in en route. Really good walk up though. Maybe you sowed the seed of pitching here then, and I had just forgotten? I forget a lot of things! Interesting for you to see the evolution of the pathways. I used to resent paths like those being laid and formalised, spoiling the natural terrain, but I now embrace the conservational benefits that they bring. As for spikes - I get genuine enjoyment and satisfaction from navigating slippery ground, so I'd rather carry on in shoe soles until it's no longer possible to walk without spiky assistance. I'm really glad to have that assistance to hand now though. Very impressive. I did spot that goat track when I watched the footage back. One for another day I'm sure! Thanks for coming along for the ride. Maybe it's time you walked some of those paths again and checked out the terrace 😊 James.
That's the path I took on this walk 😊 As nice as it would have been to hit the tops, it was clouded in and I wanted to save time. The view I showed down Cwm Sere was taken from the point where that little track pops out on Jacob's Ladder 👍
Hi James, interesting that you are looking for an alternative to the faffy multifuel stove you have just bought. It is (amazingly) 50 years since I got my Scottish MLC from Glenmore Lodge and I have NEVER been tempted by such stoves over all those years. I started with dismountable classic Primuses, which were great for the Ice Age or snow holes (except when they melted through the floor!) and still occasionally use them in really cold conditions. For most seasons, though I now use remote invertible canister stoves which give an additional 10 degrees C of usability compared to those horrible, unstable gas-only canister-top efforts - my favourites are the Kovea Spider or the GoSystems Adapt stove used in a Trangia Triangle, a 27 or a 25. You might try one of those!
Hi Doug. You have clearly found some cooking setups that work for you! I was fairly obsessed with camping gear as a kid (before I even owned a tent 😂) and I think I idolised multifuel stoves a bit. Now that I have one, I realise how inconvenient it is compared to gas, despite the dependability of the liquid fuels in cold weather. The inverted gas canister stoves really seem like the better solution down to perhaps -20°C or so. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions. I do wish someone would combine the inverted canister design with a heat exchanger style of stove/integrated cook pot though! ATB, James.
Hi again, James. That's essentially what the Trangia 27 or 25 cook system provides, when used with a GO Systems Adapt stove or (less reliable when inverted, and twice the price) Trangia's own gas stove. Less fashionable than modern integrated set-ups like the Jetboil, but much more stable, contains heat just as well, simmers real food and, crucially, allows inverted canister use in cold. Not stuck in the past for its own sake, but there are real reasons to prefer functionality over fashion and the very latest kit! If you INSIST on a current heat-exchanger type, you could look at the Coleman Firestorm PCS Stove which uses a remote gas canister and has the crucial pre-heat tube to cope with liquid fuel. All best, Douglas. @@joinmeoutdoors
I like the exchanger setups for a few reasons. 1: They are very efficient at imparting heat to the contents of your pot. 2: They offer substantial wind protection to the flame. 3: You can't accidentally knock the pot off the stove and lose your water. 4: Because they lock on to the stove, you can pick up and move your stove and cook pot quickly and easily. That Coleman setup you mentioned does look okay, so thanks for pointing out that someone out there is working along the lines I'm looking for! Decisions decisions 😁 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors thanks for the welcome. I'm doing my HML and the Peak District and the Brecons are two of my areas. I've finally made it to the PD but now researching Brecon. Now off to look at your back catalogue 😁
Oh cool, that's a great idea. Will the Brecons be a bit of a drive for you? There is a hell of a lot of walking to be done in the area. There are a few very well-known areas (e.g. Pen Y Fan and the main horseshoe walk), but also masses of lesser-known areas that still make for fantastic walking and camping. I do have a videos in the bank now, so know yourself out! 🤣 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors not too far...unlike the PD! 🤣 I will be avoiding Pen-y-Fan but some of the less well known areas I will have a look at. Dartmoor is my usual playground. So much history and my hikes take forever as I'm always stopping to look at something 🤣
Stoves... it's not either-or! Having a spread of petrol, gas, alcohol, parafin, camp fire, etc is about context. It's what fits best - the occasion, the logic, the numbers, the circumstances, the objective. The only items in that call I don't own is a Jetboil style unit... and I will do, as we all know the reason they're so good at doing what they do best. Have options!
You make a good point. I think multifuel stoves are great for people who will be out hiking for weeks on end, and might not have free access to one particular type of fuel or gas canisters to keep topping up in whatever shops they find along the way. Also, a bottle of fuel will last a long time compared to the same volume of gas. My MSR Windburner is good for 7-8 months of the year, but it feels like I could do with a cold weather-specific stove for the other 4-5 months of the year. I'm not sure the Whisperlite is the most convenient solution there, as it can't really be used inside the tent. I'm sure you'll enjoy the convenience of a Jetboil-type stove when you get one!
Ye, the Whisperlite is my petrol go-to, and mine is old and hammered... but I don't need to replace it yet, as they really are tough. If you don't already (...and you may have mensioned it) I'd use Aspen 4 fuel in it. Gets you away from that car 'petrol' smell, that might otherwise be negative. Of the Southern Cross 1... how tall are you, and do you find it a bit 'too low'?
It's really good to hear from a Whisperlite owner, so thanks for getting in touch. I appreciate the fuel suggestion. I'm currently using Coleman fuel, but Aspen 4 seems to be a bit cheaper and possibly cleaner. Very interesting. As for the Southern Cross 1, I am just shy of 5 ft 9 in. The SC1 is a compact tent, but I find all of its dimensions to be the perfect compromise to give it its low weight. I find it long enough, wide enough and tall enough, with a more than adequate vestibule. That said, it is not a tall and roomy tent. My Hilleberg Soulo has considerably more headroom, for example, and is noticeably roomier than the SC1 in general. I've had a couple of fairly compact 1 man tents in the past, so I am used to feeling "snug", but I appreciate that we all want different things from our tents.
Ye, it has some much stacked in it's favour. I do wish it was a couple of inches taller mind. I have a friend with the newer 2 version, and it pitches great, but offers me little more than is served is by my Voyager (older). Aspen is available at most garden machinery vendors. Stihl offer a similar product. Overall a load cheaper than Coleman fuel. I do use regular unleaded, and it's never been an issue other than the occasional contamination smell.@@joinmeoutdoors
@@joinmeoutdoorsI never carry cooking gear when mountain trekking or camping on top of the mountains. Water I drink direct from the streams and lakes unfiltered. Although I do carry a few cans of strong beer (outside pack during summer and inside pack to prevent liquid freezing in winter ❄️). Sometimes I sleep in a tent, but often will just sleep in the open under the stars in winter 🥶. A good bag and mat keeps me toasty in freezing weather or storms (Rab 1100 & Exped Downmat HL Winter LW). The Rab down pants are good, although I prefer to use the warmer Mountain Equipment Expedition down pants (salopettes). I'll wear the Mountain Equipment Senja down jacket when average cold or on the go (plus a waterproof TNF Guide jacket over the top when raining or sleeting hard). Or if the temperature really plummets ❄️🌨️ when I'm static for long periods, especially during severe winter storms, I'll wear the waterproof Rab Batura down jacket together with the ME down pants.
I've got a Primus Omnifuel (v similar to Whisperlite) but use my inverted canister stove much more (Alpkit Koro) for simplicity. I also use Alcohol burners a fair amount, and they work fine in the cold, just slow to boil.
Hi Edward. You're the second person to comment to tell me about the Alpkit Koro 👍 What makes you decide to pack the Primus stove rather than the Alpkit?
I'd take the Primus if I was doing a multi-day expedition at altitude, needing to melt lots of snow/ice and/or travelling somewhere where fuel is hard to get hold of. For everything else I find the Koro is all I need in cold conditions, at a fraction of the size and weight.
These are my thoughts also, that a multifuel stove isn't the ONLY subzero cooking solution, though there is a time and a place for it. Something tells me I will be doing some (sheepish) stove shopping again quite soon! James.
Stoves, I moved from an MSR Dragonfly to an invertible gas canister stove about five years ago. Why? Gas stoves are simpler and thus more reliable in my experience ( The MSR let me down twice in the field) , they are so much lighter, and if you have a canister stove designed for cylinder inversion (it must have a pre heater pipe to evaporate liquid fuel) then they work well in the cold. I've had no issues with mine down to -7C. My stove is an Alpkit Koro which is mainly titanium so light, simple, strong, reliable, very well priced and fits inside my 650 ml cooking mug.
Thanks for your comment. This is exactly what I'm thinking now. Up until recently, I always viewed liquid fuel stoves at the only real option for cold camps. As I said in the video, inverted/vaporising gas stoves have only very recently popped onto my radar. Your Koro is just the type of thing I'd like to try. Something small, light, quick to connect/use, and something that can be used inside the vestibule. Can I ask what failed on your MSR? I presume it was a Whisperlite?
@@joinmeoutdoors I had / have a Dragonfly and it was the pump that failed. Plastic parts cracked which stopped it pressurising. On both occasions it was not repairable. Petrol stoves have their place if you either need to melt snow or boil lots of water. I got mine originally for a walk in New Zealand where we needed to boil all of our drinking water to kill Giardia. That was in 2001 before products like the Sawyer filter had been devised.
@@joinmeoutdoors Lovely filming, beautiful views. I am watching your experience with the Southern Cross with interest. I bought a second hand Soulo a couple of years ago which is excellent but it is heavy. I do wonder if the Southern Cross could cope with 90% of the conditions that the Soulo can handle yet weight considerably less.
And as for the food pouch, I like your idea. I use my hat as a food cozy. I'm a big believer of carrying less stuff by carrying dual use items. So many UA-camrs have a mass of ultralight products whose combined weight comes to more than what I carry - I guess at least their wallet is now much lighter than mine!!
@@thewestonfront That's disappointing about the pump failures. I've talked about the SC1 vs Soulo debate a few times in my videos (e.g. this one ua-cam.com/video/StLfidkedRw/v-deo.html), and generally come to the same conclusion as you. The SC1 is going to withstand most UK camping conditions. Mine has already stood up to some pretty strong winds, while also being lighter and more compact than the Soulo. It is also quieter than the Soulo when there is any wind, which helps a lot with sleep and general stress levels., and generally come to the same conclusion as you. The SC1 is going to withstand most UK camping conditions. Mine has already stood up to some pretty strong winds, while also being lighter and more compact than the Soulo. It is also quieter than the Soulo when there is any wind, which helps a lot with sleep and general stress levels. Multipurpose items are the name of the game. So many of us (particular those of us who are fanatical enough to start UA-cam channels) are gear-obsessed, so I know what you mean. My Flextail pump is often seen as unnecessary weight I think, but it happens to be smaller and lighter than the lantern I used to bring along, plus it just happens to be a pump as well as a lantern! 😀
I've got the primus omnilite TI and it runs on gas (inverted) and also on liquid fuel , prime and cook on liquid in my vestibule no bother just have to be careful
@@jimbothescot4282 That looks like a very nice little stove. I don't see a vaporiser tube, so I don't quite see how it achieves what it does, but it evidently works well! If I had bought the "Universal" version of the Whisperlite rather than the "International", I too would have been able to use inverted gas canisters. Definitely think I rushed this purchase. Ho hum!
All part of the journey :) I've had a whisperlite, dragonfly and then the primus you don't know how you will get on with kit till you try it in the field
Cracking drone footage and camp spot, I’ve walked past it a few times but suspect it’s a popular place in spring to summer. I have a whisper light an American friend gave me in 1990 it’s done very well does need a little maintenance. I use it a lot less often these days as I’m now less inclined to camp below zero. I’m more inclined to use my windburner or jet boil stash as depending on the circumstances I expect to use it in. Every now and then I use an alcohol stove. Didn’t think an extra wide mattress would fit in the southern cross 1 does it still leave any elbow room?
Thanks David. I'm sure you're right about this spot being a busy one in spring and summer, and possibly even at weekends during autumn and winter, who knows? Yes the ongoing maintenance is not exactly an issue is it, but it's an additional expense, plus who WOULND'T prefer a stove that requires no maintenance at all? The ease of use of the Windburner/Jetboil stoves can't be ignored. As for the 25" mattress - it fits perfectly in the Southern Cross without straining at the groundsheet. I bought the wide version so that I could roll over and spread out without my elbows and knees dropping off the edges of the matt, so in that respect...no elbow room is required!
Thanks! The route was Taf Fechan Forest car park and then basically walked the famous Brecon Beacons horseshoe walk in a clockwise direction until I reached Cribyn 👍 James.
I did enjoy your video and the way you delivered it. I haven't been up there for over thirty years and definitely didn't see it like this as most of the time I had my head down doing some military training. Recommendations for thermal longjohns? Cheers
Ah thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it. I've bumped into a fair few soldiers up there out on training. A friend's son was a marine who spent a lot of time in exercise in the Beacons. He now lives only a few miles from there, but strangely enough doesn't often venture up there for a relaxing walk these days! My thermal leggings are just some cheap and cheerful Peter Storm jobbies I think, from Millets or similar. Nothing special, just something I can change into after the walk up. Merino wool is always a good way to go, for insulation and wicking 👍
Yes it can be. It requires a bit more care when washing too. It delivers good warm relative to its weight, but something cheaper and synthetic will help you to keep warm too 👍
Some great kit and an excellent pitch!! How did you get that night lapse shot? Was it on phone or normal camera or something more technical? How does it manage if left on all night with rain etc? Enjoy your videos thanks
Hi James. What a video! Loved it. The trekker chair and the down pants look amazing. Do you have the os map coordinates of your walk by any chance? Thanks
Thanks Alexi. The chair and down pants are a strong combo in winter! I parked at Taf Fechan Forest car park and then basically walked the famous Brecon Beacons horseshoe walk in a clockwise direct until I reached Cribyn 👍 James.
Thanks for letting me know,@@joinmeoutdoors. I'm planning a two day wild camp around fan brycheiniog and Llyn y Fan Fawr but your pitch below Cribyn might make me change my mind!
@@AlexiMos-gh5hq I don't own an ice axe, and have never felt the need to take one so far, but that's just me. If you want to take one, no-one is going to stop you 😃
here's a link to using the Kovea Spider in cold weather. Flat Cat gear makes some nice accessories for the Spider. ua-cam.com/video/HUvVr1UP1yw/v-deo.html
@@joinmeoutdoors You're welcome, here's a link to the spider support from Flat Cat ua-cam.com/video/av8l0M3GspE/v-deo.html You do a good job on your videos.
That makes absolute sense. Why had I not already worked that out for myself?? 😂 Thank you for sharing that tip. The most obvious ones are often the best, and the most elusive!
I don't understand why people go camping without a reason, for instance hunting or fishing, good luck to him he must get so bored, and the food he took was akin to pot noodle.
For some people the reason to go camping is to go hunting and fishing. For a lot of other people, the reason to go camping is to spend lots of time outdoors having an extended walk, looking at the views and enjoying a peace and quiet that you don't always get if you can only walk during the daytime when everyone else is out walking. Don't worry, there is zero boredom on these camps 👌 Thanks for watching my video. James.
@@joinmeoutdoors I never really thought about it but having the place to yourself is good reason to go camping thank you for making me think about that. Seeing the wild animals up close at the break of dawn and at dusk without them knowing I am there watching them is rewarding and sometimes the only thing I manage to catch is the site of them.
@@michaeldemetriou1399 Always good to see things from other people's perspectives! ✌ Getting to watch the light change at sunset, look out at the night sky, see all those new days beginning, and like you say, watching undisturbed nature. Sounds like you need to try out camping "without a reason" and see if you like it 😜
I don't understand "without a reason" ? There is a very clear and undisputable reason.... exercise, views, solitude,being in nature, great for mental and physical health, testing your ability.....I mean the list goes on ......!!!. I know for a fact no boredom was experienced here whatsoever. In fact quite the opposite. As far as pot noodle is concerned James is hauling 21kg on a 5mile route with ascent so his food choice was on point !
Testing your abilities is a huge reason for getting out there for me, and sometimes the only test is to get myself out of the door to start with. I really need to find some lighter pot noodles! 🤣
Now this is MY KIND OF FILM 🍿 thank you so much for taking me with you. I loved the balance of the journey, kit chat, emotions and scenery. When you got to camp I loved the excitement for where your chosen as being perfect for you. Excellent video quality too. I’ve asked husbandito for the chair and a new mat 🤩 Santa might jut bring it this year, cost of living and all that ha ha…also it was interesting to hear re your income from UA-cam, nobody really shares that stuff. Awesome, ATB, Sarah
Haha morning Sarah! I'm glad that hit the spot! Great shout on the Thermarest chair. I've seen loads of people using them over the years, but didn't really believe that it could be particularly good or comfy. So glad I took the plunge! Most people buy the 20" wide Thermarest mats, so just be sure you...ahem...Santa...chooses the right width of chair kit (20" vs 25") to suit your new mat. Thank you very much for the kind comments! 😊 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors thank you James…noted 🎅🏽
Sounds like your being spoilt. 😅
Drone footage the icing on the cake , fantastic job
Thanks Steven! Poor little drone up there in the ice clouds 😂
Some stove chat. I'm a cycle tourer and I use the trangia 27. I have the gas conversion with it also so I can use both gas and meths. Love the video😊 thanks.
That sounds like a versatile setup. Weight is no doubt a key focus for you as a cycle tourer! Glad you liked the vid, thank you 😊 James.
@joinmeoutdoors Not too bothered about the weight . Being able to cook enough to sustain the energy consumption is what I look for.
21.5kg.... wowsers, mad man LOL, what a lovely honest chap you are. great content
Not my lightest pack! 😂 That's a very kind thing to say. Thanks Karl 🤗 James.
Absolutely excellent vlog. Much colder inside tent than i thought . The views of pey y fan Absolutely gobsmaking very impressive, great tips as well!!
Thank you for your comments on this video, Steven. The Beacons give some magnificent views! It did get pretty cold on this camp - down trousers made it feel like California though (almost)! Thanks for watching. James.
Great video! As a bit of a gear freak this was a perfect balance, and what a wonderful place to camp!
Good good! I can't afford to show you this many new things in every video, but I'm glad you enjoyed this haul 😁 James.
Panning up from your breakfast I thought the drone was taking off from a gravel path for a second 🤣🤣🤣
Haha that shot messed with my eyes when I watched it back too 😅
Only half way through but wow what an awesome spot! Great to see the SC1 out again
Yeah I was chuffed with that one, as you could probably tell! 😅 The trusty SC1 strikes again 😎 Cheers Mark.
I wanted to do that spot on cribyn too, me and the dragon have been talking about it for a while it looks a perfect spot👌🏻
You have a good eye for a pitch 👌 I thought a cold Friday night could be a good time to try it out. Not much foot traffic at all. Busy in the morning though!
Down pants are the future!🤘🏻😎
People are not messing about when they say this! Never going back now 😎
@@joinmeoutdoorsif you think down pants are good wait till you try down bootees 😂
Haha I bought a pair a couple of months ago (synthetic insulated) - can confirm that they are brilliant! 😁
What a truly spectacular location! and I always like to see some new gear. Thank you for taking us along on your camp James.
It definitely lived up to my expectations! Thanks Tim, it's fun to bring you all along and show you where I go. ATB, James.
Hi James
What stunning views and such a great spot to pitch up. Thank you for your reviews. I find your honesty and the clear way you explain everything, so inspiring. Please keep up the great work you do on you channel. Absolutely brilliant.
Have a great Christmas.
Hello Barry. I'm glad you can follow what I'm babbling on about! Thank you for your comment and support, and have a great Christmas yourself. James.
As I said on Insta, this was on my list of spots to camp. It's a great spot. Well made video as always and great light and scenes. Ill definitely consider some down pants as my legs tend to be coldest on a camp.
Well hopefully it's still on your list, as it is an excellent place to sling a tent. I think I had underestimated just how much heat I lose through my legs as the down trousers made such a dramatic difference - both inside my sleeping bag and out. Maybe Father Christmas will sort you out! 😉 Cheers, James.
One my favourite places a d always beautiful in the winter and especially when no-ones about! Great video and stunning images!
Evening, Chris! The Beacons are always worth hopping in the car for aren't they? There was a definite shortage of people, apart from the usual masses gathering on Pen Y Fan in the morning for sunrise, but I had a nice chilled out morning where I was. Thanks for dropping in 🙏🏻 James.
Stunning location and stunning conditions!...can only imagine how good those views were in the flesh! Great video!
Cheers Steve! One of the really cool benefits of making these videos is that I'll be able to go back and relive these camps for years to come, hopefully! Awesome bedtime views though, you're not wrong there! Thanks, James.
Beautiful little film and wow, what a super place to pitch, stunning. With regards to the stove. I've used a MSR Wisperlite back in the day when I was backpacking in Africa due to the lack of availability of gas. I used kerosene which is very easy to get hold of but is a dirty, smelly way to cook but needs must. Here in the UK I do a little bit of winter camping and when temps are sub zero I always use MSR Isopro gas and a stove with a pressure regulator and it's never failed. But being "Captain Cautious" I like to also take 100ml of bio ethanol and a little x boil alcohol burner/puck as a back up. Anyway enough of my ramblings, I'm going to enjoy a few more of your adventures. 👍
Thanks Dudley. I would happily relive this trip many times over - particularly if I had a bit more time available before the sun went down. I haven't looked into the make-up of the various gases on the market for a while. I tend to assume that most of the cold weather special mixes are doing roughly the same thing as one another, but perhaps that's a bit ignorant. I'm glad the MSR Isopro works for you, and the X Boil stoves seem very popular. Captain Cautious doesn't get caught out with calamitous cooking on cold camps! 😉
Been awake all night waiting for this to drop!
Hahaha of course you have! 🤣
Thank you for a great video. There are so many hiking/ camping channels out there that are very samey, so it’s often difficult to find a new one that piques my interest. Yours did and you have a new subscriber!
I really enjoyed your narration, videography and your mix of different elements such as scenery, gear chat etc.
Please keep it going and make more!
Hi Danny. Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. I'm really glad you felt that this video stood out. That means a lot. Welcome to my channel! James.
The nighttime time lapse is the most beautiful camipng film ive ever ever seen ..omg !!!
Some of the nightlapses have worked really well. This one showing a very brief shimmer of Northern lights was a big surprise! Glad you liked it! 😁
What a great film - thanks James. I usually avoid the Horseshoe as it is so busy so you were dead lucky to get a great spot and not see many people
Thank you, Nick 🤗 I know exactly what you mean. I often like the idea of the horseshoe and its views, but it's just not the same when it's crowded. Winter makes it that bit easier to enjoy the popular places in peace 😊 James.
Brilliant video great mix gear and some fantastic photography and dramatic scenery, had to turn up the heating half way through it looked ☃️
Haha thanks, I had the same problem when I watched it back while editing! 😂🥶
Just watched your video tonight and really enjoyed it and some great views 👍🏻
Cheers Shaun. Best breakfast seat I've had for a while! 😀
Great video James. What stunning views and a great camping spot. Hopefully 2024 brings you a lot more subs because your videos definitely deserve more
Thanks a lot Johny, very kind of you to say that 🙏🏻 James.
Don't change the video structure, really good blend of everything in the right amounts. 21kgs you Legend❤
Thanks for this. I'm glad it works for you 👍 Hopefully the chapters make it easy for people to pick out the bits they want from these longer vids! Haha lightweight camper here 🤣 Cheers! James.
Food pouch unrequired, slip those into your coat for the win🎉🎉
Yeah I dont know why I'd never done this before really! Bit late to the game. Winner of a technique 👌
Be careful though, Ryan Jordan over at Backpacking Light, just put up à vidéo of à winter camp, and the meal pouch had a defect and leaked quickly all over his clothes.
@@littlegreenlibrarian there is a skill to it, always seal and then a little cheeky squeeze first.. that would suck to have a reindeer stew inside your jacket
Yowch!
Always have to give it a squeeze first! If it's airtight, it's carbonaratight 👌
Nice video. You really captured the beauty of the brecon beacons 👍💯
Thanks Andy. It's fortunate that my drone refused to fly on Day 1 of this trip, otherwise I would have wedged at least another 20 minutes of aerial footage in! It was all looking very pretty in that light 😍 Cheers for watching 👍 James.
Thank you for taking me to the mountains! I'm already looking forward to the Highlands next May :)
My pleasure ☺️ I'm sure you'll find some impressive mountains of your own in May! James.
Nice one James, good to see you out. 21.6 kg😳😳😳😳 I never take more than 8kg, perhaps 10 in winter. I love my Micro Spikes too.
I'd love to know how people manage these 10 kg pack weights in winter! My food and water alone would have totalled more than half of that on this camp. So add a tent, sleeping bag and mat and I'm already over 10 kg. I must be missing something major here 🤔🤯
Cracking video. One hell of a spot there. Regarding the stoves, I've not got a liquid fuel stove but on the odd occasion when I've been out and it's dropped below 0 overnight, I put my gas cartridge and stove and water filter kin my insulated pouch and leave in the tent. Point taken about minus 10 temperatures but minus 2 or 3 below and its been fine. Primus also have winter gas cartridges but I've not yet tested them myself. Gimmick? Don't know. I've also got that Trekker chair adaptor and yes its fantastic. Great video. Regards, Wadi.
Hi Wadi. Glad you enjoyed the vid! This is what I've done to date too, though I normally bring the gas canister inside the sleeping bag with me once temps are below freezing. It does make a big difference, but when temperatures are around -5°C and below, I find that the gas struggles to boil water. I use Coleman Extreme gas year-round, to help with temperatures, but felt it was time to try something that can really stand up to the cold. Not sure if the Whisperlite is the perfect solution for me, but it certainly doesn't mind the cold!
The Trekker Chair Kit is an absolute masterpiece isn't it?? Very happy with that purchase! James 🤘
Here he is !!!! Mate I loved that !!!. Loads of really useful information and so well presented as always. That pitch is a real stunner mate can see why u were so excited to snag it. Drone footage was epic !! Loved the music on the nightlapse just all in all a class video. You're the man. ATB Simon
Good evening Mr Simon! Thanks a lot for giving my feature length film a watch. Ended up a bit long, this one! Couldn't believe I caught the edge of the Northern lights shimmering away there. Makes me want to go back to the same spot every weekend lol Cheers big man. Hope you're on the mend now 👍 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors honestly mate amazing....in fact DD wants to watch it when he gets back from graft so it's a double showing mate 🤣🤣👍👍👍
@@YONDERMOUNTAINADVENTURES Haha Saturday night at the movies! 😆🎥🍿
I have an MSR Dragonfly and have had that for just over 25 years and it still works as well as it did on day one...fantastic piece of kit. it has expeditioned all over the globe and if there is ever any doubt about conditions it's what goes with me. I also have an MSR Windburner but the Duo 1.8L...this is great because it has a hose to the cannister so you can use the canister right way or upside down...and still get all the Windburner benefits...it has never failed me, even down to minus 12 degrees in the UK. I will use the Xtreme gas in those conditions though i.e. higher propane content. Sometimes I'll pop the cannister in my jacket 5 mins...
This is an interesting one. On MSR's own website (on the Duo 1.8 L product page) they state explicitly that the Windburner is not to be run off an inverted canister. Are you finding that it operates well in this way?
@@joinmeoutdoors I did not know that. I mean, I don't want to advocate something they say not to do but err... how can I put this...I have had no probs in any orientation...upside down side and upright..I've also done the common sense stuff of putting the canister in water etc. I also put the canister in the foot box of my sleeping bag in the morning when it's really cold, that kind of thing.
@@TheArneSaknussemm No that's fair enough. Your experience is valid, and interesting! I regularly exceed the maximum weight rating of my rucksacks - sometimes things can do stuff that we're told they can't do! Keeping canisters warm certainly makes a big difference.
Nice one as always James - looked like a great night & aurora on timelapse was a bonus.... still never seen it myself :-(
Thank you John. I did look for the lights a few times through the night but didn't see anything. Got quite a shock when I spotted them while editing! They are elusive things, aren't they? One day...
Great video well done, going to look into getting some of those down trousers.
Thanks Daniel. I dropped a link to Trekitt in the video description text, as that's where I bought mine from. Other down trousers are available, though I don't think the sourcing of the feathers is as strictly controlled by some/most Chinese manufacturers. Rab are very careful when it comes to down sourcing, which steered me in their direction 👍 James.
Enjoyed that mate, I do love the beacons. Normally camp on Fan Y Big but will add this spot to the list for 2024
Cheers Craig! Fan Y Big is just a good distance from PYF to get a bit more peace and quiet, isn't it? Thanks for watching ✌️ James.
@@joinmeoutdoors 100% So much quieter and still fabulous views
Absolutely outstanding video. Thank you for bringing us along. Well done sir.
Thanks a lot, Ger. Happy to bring you along for the adventure! 🤗 James.
Great video yet again James. As always some fantastic info and cinematography.
Thanks a lot, Stu. You've got some kit now too, so I'll expect to bump into you up there one of these days! 😉 James.
Cracking video, James! The overnight timelapse was gorgeous. Pleased to see the Argon pants performed so well - thank you for the recommendation, can’t wait to try mine out in a couple of weeks.
Thanks Ste! I can't get enough of time lapses 🤩 You won't regret the Argon pants. Can't believe I could just sit there in below-freezing temps - plus some wind chill on top - and was warm. You'll love them!
Great video , awesome info and route, been looking at the argon pants for a while now myself, you have just made my mind up to purchase these, first time I’ve come across your channel tbh but will be definitely turning in more pal, 👍
Well OBVIOUSLY everyone needs a pair of Argon Pants!! 😂 Magical tubes of warmth. I'm sure you'll love them. Thanks for the comment, and welcome along ✌️ James.
Great video enjoyed watching it. Looked like a great spot to pitch.
Thanks Rick. I suspect it won't be my last time in that particular spot! ☺️ James.
I can recommend X-boil. Always works in all temperatures, simple and extremely light. “The woman” is from Sweden, not Norway 😊. l like your film and I have liked it and subscribed to your channel.
Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪
I do see X-boil stoves being used every now and then. They seem popular 😊
Thanks, yes, I found Stina's video again when I got home and I added a link to her video in my video description 👍 She gives good practical advice! Thank you, and welcome to my channel 🤗 James.
Stunning camp James
Great vid 👌👍
Cheers Graham
Thanks Graham, good to hear from you 🤝 James.
21 kg fair play to you!
Great camp,nice to get out in this weather,less people!
And those views! Well worth the hike!
My heaviest winter pack weights are almost double my lightest summer pack weights! 😬 And yes, one of my favourite things about cold camps is the quieter countryside 😍 Thanks for watching! James.
This is a really nice video to watch, I enjoyed that. I pitched up in that same spot a few months ago, it really is an amazing spot to camp - especially in the conditions you had, beautiful! Good luck with the channel, I've just subbed to give you a boost.
Ah so you know it well! Thank you for tidying up after yourself 😁👍 Thanks also for the comment and sub. Welcome to the channel 🤠 James.
Lush video james! Do enjoy your winter camps 👌 as always, very informative of the products you use (justins comment) ive been on about those trekker chairs for ages to Justin and now your video has convinced him, great teamwork 😂cheers 😜👍
Thank you, Kim! You really have to stop paying me to influence Justin's decisions like this 😅 (Sorry Justin!!) I should have bought one of these chairs years ago. It's bloody brilliant! 😁 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors 😂 cheque is in the post, I'll include my updated list of the new gear I want so you can get to work onit! 🤭😆
😂👍
Excellent video James! A blend of all the good stuff. Well done mate 😊
Adge
Cheers Adge! Winter is here ❄️ Thanks for watching 🙌 James.
I have started using my msr reactor more . My msr whisper International is now shelf bound . Both awesome stove . Down side to reactor is its made just to boil . Which is fine for me
Are you a lazy camper like me who doesn't want to lug pans and ingredients up mountains for messy cook-ups too? A nice clean and simple boiling of water is about all I want too! Simmering to purify is necessary sometimes though...
How;s it going James. Lots to talk about. But I have already commented about the benefits micro spikes and the trekker chair (try it in the lounger postion inside your tent) in previous videos. So I'll try and confine myself to the stoves 😂. My go to stove is the soto windmaster 👌. But the type of stove you may interested in is the stove that I sometimes use is the Rubens firebug (106g) Its a remote cannister stove, the type you can invert the gas 👌. I think its the lightest of its type 😉
Afternoon Johnny! Can't wait to try lounging in luxury inside my tent when the moment arises 😎 The Rubens Firebug looks good. I notice that it doesn't have a vaporiser tube, so I wonder how it performs with an inverted canister compared to one that's equipped with a vaporiser? On face value it looks like a fairly normal gas stove with remote connection, but maybe they can all run well on an inverted canister? I don't think they can, but I'm not sure what the design differences are between those that can and those that can't! 🤔
Regarding your issues with the burner there are a few things you can do to help with cold weather. Firstly, fuel; butane only canisters are no good as they will not vaporise below -0.5*C. Propane is better for low temps and many canisters are a mix 20/80. However, propane will tend to burn off more quickly leaving mostly butane so bear that in mind. Ideally a burner with a regulator will help with maintaining pressure but it can only do so much. You need to keep the canister warm so insulate it from cold ground. You can get canister cozies but canister needs to be warm first. (canisters will cool from the inside when you're using them). You can stand the canister in a bowl of water, if it’s liquid then it is 0*C+. If the burner is struggling then you can add warmer water from the pot you're heating into the bowl it’s standing in to gradually warm it. Keep the canister inside your clothing before cooking and in your sleeping bag overnight. The multi fuel burners are great if you're abroad and fuel availability is varied. However they are more fiddly, bulky and noisy so I don't bother so much with them now. If i was melting lots of snow or doing longer trips i might reconsider taking it but haven't used mine for a long time.
Thank you for taking the time to type all of that out. I find that winter gas is just about okay down to about 0°C, but even sleeping with the canisters in my sleeping bag overnight, once ambient temps are below zero, the canisters cool so much in the few minutes it takes to boil water that they often can't achieve a boil. Heating water to warm the canister up will of course work, but I think at that point, a liquid fuel burner would be less inconvenient. I can see why you don't use liquid fuel stoves much anymore - as brilliant as they are, they're a bit time-consuming! Inverted canister stoves sound like the sweet spot for winter, I just haven't tried one yet. I'll be sure to share some videos when I decide to take the plunge! James.
super video, outstanding location. Wow!!
Thank you Hedley. Love those freezing mountain scenes!
@@joinmeoutdoors some epic drone shots, but your sunset behind Pen-y-Fan was rather special. I may camp there, though will scout the area for potential "bathrooms" first! Never noticed that plateau on Cribyn before.
@hedleythorne It was a gorgeous evening. I think if I'd arrived one or two hours earlier to sit out and watch the sun drop I would have lost my mind 😅😍 I really ought to write to the council about the lack of public toilets up there 😜
Awesome Video. Thanks!😊
Thanks Carmen! 🤗
Brilliant. Loved this video looking forward to the next one. Thank-you
Thanks a lot, Maggie 🤗
Fantastic video! I'm slowly getting together the equipment to go bikepacking around Dartmoor in spring. I'm going o to head out for my first wild camp (only an overnighter) in a few weeks to test out the kit I've collected so far! For some reason I'm getting stupidly excited!
That sounds like a perfectly justifiable reason to be excited!! 😀 There's some awesome cycling to be had around Dartmoor, including some good challenging hills. That sounds like a great adventure! Thanks for the comment 😊 James.
I'm on Exmoor so I've got a few spots to visit planned before the Dartmoor trip!
Perfect. There's some really good walking and camping to be had in Exmoor 👌
Nearly 22 kgs and you take the long route to Cribyn, you really are bonkers. You obviously don't feel the cold either - no hat until it gets biting by the looks...🥶 Its got to be about 5 or 6 years since I walked up onto Graig Fan Ddu and the track looks to have become a real path these days - the MT and Beacons staff have been putting a loyt of work into path management by the looks 👋 In think I have menetioned to you the spot some call Dai's Terrace previously, great spot for a camp although I ain't done it myself I have sat n had a cuppa there many times. I think I would have tried either the miscro spikes or the exospikes on the surface you were walking on - to me they would have offered at least some grip opposed to slippery vibram soles? Fabulous view down into Cwm Sere from the terrace - on a better day I would recommend a walk across the goat track to the bottom of the snout. Great view of it at 35:56 on the drone footage. Cracking watch James... you really do deserve the excellent weather for the effort you put in, well done. Atb Al
Morning Al! I suspect my pack did actually tip over the 22 kg threshold with the chocolate and snack bars I snuck in en route. Really good walk up though. Maybe you sowed the seed of pitching here then, and I had just forgotten? I forget a lot of things! Interesting for you to see the evolution of the pathways. I used to resent paths like those being laid and formalised, spoiling the natural terrain, but I now embrace the conservational benefits that they bring.
As for spikes - I get genuine enjoyment and satisfaction from navigating slippery ground, so I'd rather carry on in shoe soles until it's no longer possible to walk without spiky assistance. I'm really glad to have that assistance to hand now though. Very impressive.
I did spot that goat track when I watched the footage back. One for another day I'm sure! Thanks for coming along for the ride. Maybe it's time you walked some of those paths again and checked out the terrace 😊 James.
There’s a animal track that goes from under Corn Du to halfway down Jacob’s, so you don’t have to summit PYF.
That's the path I took on this walk 😊 As nice as it would have been to hit the tops, it was clouded in and I wanted to save time. The view I showed down Cwm Sere was taken from the point where that little track pops out on Jacob's Ladder 👍
Great video thanks 👍👍
Thanks Ian, much appreciated ☺️ James.
Hi James, interesting that you are looking for an alternative to the faffy multifuel stove you have just bought. It is (amazingly) 50 years since I got my Scottish MLC from Glenmore Lodge and I have NEVER been tempted by such stoves over all those years. I started with dismountable classic Primuses, which were great for the Ice Age or snow holes (except when they melted through the floor!) and still occasionally use them in really cold conditions. For most seasons, though I now use remote invertible canister stoves which give an additional 10 degrees C of usability compared to those horrible, unstable gas-only canister-top efforts - my favourites are the Kovea Spider or the GoSystems Adapt stove used in a Trangia Triangle, a 27 or a 25. You might try one of those!
Hi Doug. You have clearly found some cooking setups that work for you! I was fairly obsessed with camping gear as a kid (before I even owned a tent 😂) and I think I idolised multifuel stoves a bit. Now that I have one, I realise how inconvenient it is compared to gas, despite the dependability of the liquid fuels in cold weather. The inverted gas canister stoves really seem like the better solution down to perhaps -20°C or so. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions. I do wish someone would combine the inverted canister design with a heat exchanger style of stove/integrated cook pot though! ATB, James.
Hi again, James. That's essentially what the Trangia 27 or 25 cook system provides, when used with a GO Systems Adapt stove or (less reliable when inverted, and twice the price) Trangia's own gas stove. Less fashionable than modern integrated set-ups like the Jetboil, but much more stable, contains heat just as well, simmers real food and, crucially, allows inverted canister use in cold. Not stuck in the past for its own sake, but there are real reasons to prefer functionality over fashion and the very latest kit! If you INSIST on a current heat-exchanger type, you could look at the Coleman Firestorm PCS Stove which uses a remote gas canister and has the crucial pre-heat tube to cope with liquid fuel. All best, Douglas. @@joinmeoutdoors
I like the exchanger setups for a few reasons. 1: They are very efficient at imparting heat to the contents of your pot. 2: They offer substantial wind protection to the flame. 3: You can't accidentally knock the pot off the stove and lose your water. 4: Because they lock on to the stove, you can pick up and move your stove and cook pot quickly and easily. That Coleman setup you mentioned does look okay, so thanks for pointing out that someone out there is working along the lines I'm looking for! Decisions decisions 😁 James.
Great hike out. Beautiful views up on the tops. Best wishes on the next adventure.
Cheers buddy. I do like your username 😂 ATB, James.
I have just found your channel and this is a really beautiful film 👍
Thanks a lot, Sue. Welcome to my little channel! 😀
@@joinmeoutdoors thanks for the welcome. I'm doing my HML and the Peak District and the Brecons are two of my areas. I've finally made it to the PD but now researching Brecon.
Now off to look at your back catalogue 😁
Oh cool, that's a great idea. Will the Brecons be a bit of a drive for you? There is a hell of a lot of walking to be done in the area. There are a few very well-known areas (e.g. Pen Y Fan and the main horseshoe walk), but also masses of lesser-known areas that still make for fantastic walking and camping.
I do have a videos in the bank now, so know yourself out! 🤣 James.
@@joinmeoutdoors not too far...unlike the PD! 🤣 I will be avoiding Pen-y-Fan but some of the less well known areas I will have a look at. Dartmoor is my usual playground. So much history and my hikes take forever as I'm always stopping to look at something 🤣
Ah okay, you're somewhere in my neck then 😊 Pen Y Fan is mighty, but so so busy. You'll find lots of things to gawp at in Wales! 😁
Glad the kit works well!
It most certainly does! Cheers Grant!
Stoves... it's not either-or! Having a spread of petrol, gas, alcohol, parafin, camp fire, etc is about context. It's what fits best - the occasion, the logic, the numbers, the circumstances, the objective. The only items in that call I don't own is a Jetboil style unit... and I will do, as we all know the reason they're so good at doing what they do best. Have options!
You make a good point. I think multifuel stoves are great for people who will be out hiking for weeks on end, and might not have free access to one particular type of fuel or gas canisters to keep topping up in whatever shops they find along the way. Also, a bottle of fuel will last a long time compared to the same volume of gas. My MSR Windburner is good for 7-8 months of the year, but it feels like I could do with a cold weather-specific stove for the other 4-5 months of the year. I'm not sure the Whisperlite is the most convenient solution there, as it can't really be used inside the tent. I'm sure you'll enjoy the convenience of a Jetboil-type stove when you get one!
Ye, the Whisperlite is my petrol go-to, and mine is old and hammered... but I don't need to replace it yet, as they really are tough. If you don't already (...and you may have mensioned it) I'd use Aspen 4 fuel in it. Gets you away from that car 'petrol' smell, that might otherwise be negative.
Of the Southern Cross 1... how tall are you, and do you find it a bit 'too low'?
It's really good to hear from a Whisperlite owner, so thanks for getting in touch. I appreciate the fuel suggestion. I'm currently using Coleman fuel, but Aspen 4 seems to be a bit cheaper and possibly cleaner. Very interesting.
As for the Southern Cross 1, I am just shy of 5 ft 9 in. The SC1 is a compact tent, but I find all of its dimensions to be the perfect compromise to give it its low weight. I find it long enough, wide enough and tall enough, with a more than adequate vestibule. That said, it is not a tall and roomy tent. My Hilleberg Soulo has considerably more headroom, for example, and is noticeably roomier than the SC1 in general. I've had a couple of fairly compact 1 man tents in the past, so I am used to feeling "snug", but I appreciate that we all want different things from our tents.
Ye, it has some much stacked in it's favour. I do wish it was a couple of inches taller mind. I have a friend with the newer 2 version, and it pitches great, but offers me little more than is served is by my Voyager (older).
Aspen is available at most garden machinery vendors. Stihl offer a similar product. Overall a load cheaper than Coleman fuel. I do use regular unleaded, and it's never been an issue other than the occasional contamination smell.@@joinmeoutdoors
@@joinmeoutdoorsI never carry cooking gear when mountain trekking or camping on top of the mountains. Water I drink direct from the streams and lakes unfiltered. Although I do carry a few cans of strong beer (outside pack during summer and inside pack to prevent liquid freezing in winter ❄️). Sometimes I sleep in a tent, but often will just sleep in the open under the stars in winter 🥶. A good bag and mat keeps me toasty in freezing weather or storms (Rab 1100 & Exped Downmat HL Winter LW). The Rab down pants are good, although I prefer to use the warmer Mountain Equipment Expedition down pants (salopettes). I'll wear the Mountain Equipment Senja down jacket when average cold or on the go (plus a waterproof TNF Guide jacket over the top when raining or sleeting hard). Or if the temperature really plummets ❄️🌨️ when I'm static for long periods, especially during severe winter storms, I'll wear the waterproof Rab Batura down jacket together with the ME down pants.
Lol that you can teleport through gates now
Haha I can do it all now! 🤣👻
I've got a Primus Omnifuel (v similar to Whisperlite) but use my inverted canister stove much more (Alpkit Koro) for simplicity. I also use Alcohol burners a fair amount, and they work fine in the cold, just slow to boil.
Hi Edward. You're the second person to comment to tell me about the Alpkit Koro 👍 What makes you decide to pack the Primus stove rather than the Alpkit?
I'd take the Primus if I was doing a multi-day expedition at altitude, needing to melt lots of snow/ice and/or travelling somewhere where fuel is hard to get hold of. For everything else I find the Koro is all I need in cold conditions, at a fraction of the size and weight.
These are my thoughts also, that a multifuel stove isn't the ONLY subzero cooking solution, though there is a time and a place for it. Something tells me I will be doing some (sheepish) stove shopping again quite soon! James.
First🎉🎉🎉🎉
You the man!!! 😁
Stoves, I moved from an MSR Dragonfly to an invertible gas canister stove about five years ago. Why? Gas stoves are simpler and thus more reliable in my experience ( The MSR let me down twice in the field) , they are so much lighter, and if you have a canister stove designed for cylinder inversion (it must have a pre heater pipe to evaporate liquid fuel) then they work well in the cold. I've had no issues with mine down to -7C. My stove is an Alpkit Koro which is mainly titanium so light, simple, strong, reliable, very well priced and fits inside my 650 ml cooking mug.
Thanks for your comment. This is exactly what I'm thinking now. Up until recently, I always viewed liquid fuel stoves at the only real option for cold camps. As I said in the video, inverted/vaporising gas stoves have only very recently popped onto my radar. Your Koro is just the type of thing I'd like to try. Something small, light, quick to connect/use, and something that can be used inside the vestibule. Can I ask what failed on your MSR? I presume it was a Whisperlite?
@@joinmeoutdoors I had / have a Dragonfly and it was the pump that failed. Plastic parts cracked which stopped it pressurising. On both occasions it was not repairable. Petrol stoves have their place if you either need to melt snow or boil lots of water. I got mine originally for a walk in New Zealand where we needed to boil all of our drinking water to kill Giardia. That was in 2001 before products like the Sawyer filter had been devised.
@@joinmeoutdoors Lovely filming, beautiful views. I am watching your experience with the Southern Cross with interest. I bought a second hand Soulo a couple of years ago which is excellent but it is heavy. I do wonder if the Southern Cross could cope with 90% of the conditions that the Soulo can handle yet weight considerably less.
And as for the food pouch, I like your idea. I use my hat as a food cozy. I'm a big believer of carrying less stuff by carrying dual use items. So many UA-camrs have a mass of ultralight products whose combined weight comes to more than what I carry - I guess at least their wallet is now much lighter than mine!!
@@thewestonfront That's disappointing about the pump failures.
I've talked about the SC1 vs Soulo debate a few times in my videos (e.g. this one ua-cam.com/video/StLfidkedRw/v-deo.html), and generally come to the same conclusion as you. The SC1 is going to withstand most UK camping conditions. Mine has already stood up to some pretty strong winds, while also being lighter and more compact than the Soulo. It is also quieter than the Soulo when there is any wind, which helps a lot with sleep and general stress levels., and generally come to the same conclusion as you. The SC1 is going to withstand most UK camping conditions. Mine has already stood up to some pretty strong winds, while also being lighter and more compact than the Soulo. It is also quieter than the Soulo when there is any wind, which helps a lot with sleep and general stress levels.
Multipurpose items are the name of the game. So many of us (particular those of us who are fanatical enough to start UA-cam channels) are gear-obsessed, so I know what you mean. My Flextail pump is often seen as unnecessary weight I think, but it happens to be smaller and lighter than the lantern I used to bring along, plus it just happens to be a pump as well as a lantern! 😀
Get to a garden centre and get some aspen fuel or stihl motomix for the whisperlite
Cheers Jim. Someone else has suggested Aspen 4 too, and it does sound like a good clean fuel. Good value too. Thanks for the ideas 👍 James.
I've got the primus omnilite TI and it runs on gas (inverted) and also on liquid fuel , prime and cook on liquid in my vestibule no bother just have to be careful
@@jimbothescot4282 That looks like a very nice little stove. I don't see a vaporiser tube, so I don't quite see how it achieves what it does, but it evidently works well! If I had bought the "Universal" version of the Whisperlite rather than the "International", I too would have been able to use inverted gas canisters. Definitely think I rushed this purchase. Ho hum!
All part of the journey :) I've had a whisperlite, dragonfly and then the primus you don't know how you will get on with kit till you try it in the field
This is true 😊
Cracking drone footage and camp spot, I’ve walked past it a few times but suspect it’s a popular place in spring to summer.
I have a whisper light an American friend gave me in 1990 it’s done very well does need a little maintenance. I use it a lot less often these days as I’m now less inclined to camp below zero.
I’m more inclined to use my windburner or jet boil stash as depending on the circumstances I expect to use it in. Every now and then I use an alcohol stove.
Didn’t think an extra wide mattress would fit in the southern cross 1 does it still leave any elbow room?
Thanks David. I'm sure you're right about this spot being a busy one in spring and summer, and possibly even at weekends during autumn and winter, who knows? Yes the ongoing maintenance is not exactly an issue is it, but it's an additional expense, plus who WOULND'T prefer a stove that requires no maintenance at all? The ease of use of the Windburner/Jetboil stoves can't be ignored. As for the 25" mattress - it fits perfectly in the Southern Cross without straining at the groundsheet. I bought the wide version so that I could roll over and spread out without my elbows and knees dropping off the edges of the matt, so in that respect...no elbow room is required!
Very nice video. Can you please post some gps coordinates if is not too of a hassle for you. Thank you
Thanks! The route was Taf Fechan Forest car park and then basically walked the famous Brecon Beacons horseshoe walk in a clockwise direction until I reached Cribyn 👍 James.
I did enjoy your video and the way you delivered it. I haven't been up there for over thirty years and definitely didn't see it like this as most of the time I had my head down doing some military training.
Recommendations for thermal longjohns? Cheers
Ah thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it. I've bumped into a fair few soldiers up there out on training. A friend's son was a marine who spent a lot of time in exercise in the Beacons. He now lives only a few miles from there, but strangely enough doesn't often venture up there for a relaxing walk these days!
My thermal leggings are just some cheap and cheerful Peter Storm jobbies I think, from Millets or similar. Nothing special, just something I can change into after the walk up. Merino wool is always a good way to go, for insulation and wicking 👍
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at Merino, quite dear.
Yes it can be. It requires a bit more care when washing too. It delivers good warm relative to its weight, but something cheaper and synthetic will help you to keep warm too 👍
Some great kit and an excellent pitch!!
How did you get that night lapse shot? Was it on phone or normal camera or something more technical? How does it manage if left on all night with rain etc?
Enjoy your videos thanks
Cheers Lloyd! All my filming (including night lapses) is done using GoPros, so they can handle being left out in the weather 👍 James.
Hi James. What a video! Loved it. The trekker chair and the down pants look amazing. Do you have the os map coordinates of your walk by any chance? Thanks
Thanks Alexi. The chair and down pants are a strong combo in winter! I parked at Taf Fechan Forest car park and then basically walked the famous Brecon Beacons horseshoe walk in a clockwise direct until I reached Cribyn 👍 James.
Thanks for letting me know,@@joinmeoutdoors. I'm planning a two day wild camp around fan brycheiniog and Llyn y Fan Fawr but your pitch below Cribyn might make me change my mind!
One more quick question. On these winter wild camps in the Beacons, do you take an ice axe? Is there ever any need for one?
@@AlexiMos-gh5hq Sounds good!
@@AlexiMos-gh5hq I don't own an ice axe, and have never felt the need to take one so far, but that's just me. If you want to take one, no-one is going to stop you 😃
Oh the youtube money? Lambo?
So many Lambos. The Ferraris get a bit samey after a while don't they? 😜
@@joinmeoutdoors I’ve given all my Ferrari’s to poor people now, it’s important to stay humble
@@BulldogBadger You are such an inspiration ❤️ I'll take a Porsche please 🤪
here's a link to using the Kovea Spider in cold weather. Flat Cat gear makes some nice accessories for the Spider. ua-cam.com/video/HUvVr1UP1yw/v-deo.html
Good to see, thanks. That looks to work well, and an inverted canister is SO much faster and cleaner than liquid fuel!
@@joinmeoutdoors You're welcome, here's a link to the spider support from Flat Cat ua-cam.com/video/av8l0M3GspE/v-deo.html You do a good job on your videos.
can you put a hand warmer with the gas bottle?
Hi. I don't understand the question, sorry. Please could you explain?
Avoid water freezing in pipe by blowing the water into the reservoir after each drink.
That makes absolute sense. Why had I not already worked that out for myself?? 😂 Thank you for sharing that tip. The most obvious ones are often the best, and the most elusive!
I don't understand why people go camping without a reason, for instance hunting or fishing, good luck to him he must get so bored, and the food he took was akin to pot noodle.
For some people the reason to go camping is to go hunting and fishing. For a lot of other people, the reason to go camping is to spend lots of time outdoors having an extended walk, looking at the views and enjoying a peace and quiet that you don't always get if you can only walk during the daytime when everyone else is out walking. Don't worry, there is zero boredom on these camps 👌 Thanks for watching my video. James.
@@joinmeoutdoors I never really thought about it but having the place to yourself is good reason to go camping thank you for making me think about that. Seeing the wild animals up close at the break of dawn and at dusk without them knowing I am there watching them is rewarding and sometimes the only thing I manage to catch is the site of them.
@@michaeldemetriou1399 Always good to see things from other people's perspectives! ✌ Getting to watch the light change at sunset, look out at the night sky, see all those new days beginning, and like you say, watching undisturbed nature. Sounds like you need to try out camping "without a reason" and see if you like it 😜
I don't understand "without a reason" ? There is a very clear and undisputable reason.... exercise, views, solitude,being in nature, great for mental and physical health, testing your ability.....I mean the list goes on ......!!!. I know for a fact no boredom was experienced here whatsoever. In fact quite the opposite. As far as pot noodle is concerned James is hauling 21kg on a 5mile route with ascent so his food choice was on point !
Testing your abilities is a huge reason for getting out there for me, and sometimes the only test is to get myself out of the door to start with. I really need to find some lighter pot noodles! 🤣
Another top video mate
Cheers Dan. I enjoyed this one! James.