Monday, November 9
Mountain Rescue Services - Call-outs on the rise in 2009?
October's Mountain Rescue magazine dropped onto the doormat a few weeks ago, but it was only the past few days that I found time to sit down and peruse it at leisure.
As a member of Basecamp, the MRT Support Club for England & Wales, this comes as part of the membership package and is always an interesting read. Content is geared (naturally) towards MRT personnel, but there is usually a couple of items that catch my interest as a non-MRT reader (See July's piece concerning mobile telephone access to emergency services)
The latest issue was no exception with a report that Keswick MRT calls hit 100 in late August, an increase of 77% compared to 2008, and a 66% increase in alerts. North Wales also experienced a 20% rise over 2008 figures.
Whilst exceptional, this is not necessarily the pattern across all MR Teams.
But given a 14% increase in the number of individual team involvement call-outs across the Lake District area as a whole, prior to the August Bank Holiday, its clear that the demand on some MRTs is in danger of becoming untenable. Particularly for the many volunteers who freely give of their time, and live with the disruption to their personal & work life.
Basecamp proffers one solution, suggesting increasing awareness amongst groups on mountain activities.
I've a few more radical ideas concerning individual responsibility, self-assist, common sense, and unnatural hiding places for improperly used mobile phones.
But perhaps its better I resist the temptation to go into detail.
Well for the present, at least.
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT), Mountain Resuce Team MRT BASECAMP, Wales
Tuesday, November 3
TGO 2010 - The Big Day?
Blimey - I've been away from an Internet connection for only a couple of days & then I come back to a deluge from the outdoor sites buzzing with details of those who made the draw for next year's TGO Challenge.
And those that didn't.
Regular readers may perhaps have spotted that in general I'm not particularly renown for moving with the crowd.
But rather than be left out perhaps I'd better say, just for the record ..... I also did not make the cut for TGO 2010.
Think my chances would have improved if I'd filled out and posted the entry form?
Come on folks - where's the can-do independent spirit of the wildcamper gone these days?
Sort yourselves out now
;-)
Labels: TGO Challenge
Sunday, November 1
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Tuesday, October 27
Outdoor Shopping - Trade Up or Down?
Up according the manager of this Oswald Bailey's shop - "We couldn't get enough tents in over the summer"
Perhaps not so great, if you followed the reports of Black's branch reduction last month - "The Group has experienced a difficult year in a particularly challenging trading environment.........the financial year saw our core Outdoor division maintain a sound performance in a tough retail market, reporting a small reduction in operating profit compared to the previous year"
(Although that was taken from a statement back in May before the main 2009 trading season got underway)
Anecdotal feedback from those I've spoken to in the trade seem happy, but there is often a tendency to talk-up trading conditions, rather than unsettle potential customers.
Well the trading report season is drawing near - let's see what the real position has been for Outdoor Retailing in Summer 2009.Labels: outdoor retail
Monday, October 26
Something Old, Something New; Outdoor Gear ideas
It seems there is always some new gear trend or other doing the rounds of the Outdoor community.
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
October's Mountain Rescue magazine dropped onto the doormat a few weeks ago, but it was only the past few days that I found time to sit down and peruse it at leisure.
As a member of Basecamp, the MRT Support Club for England & Wales, this comes as part of the membership package and is always an interesting read. Content is geared (naturally) towards MRT personnel, but there is usually a couple of items that catch my interest as a non-MRT reader (See July's piece concerning mobile telephone access to emergency services)
The latest issue was no exception with a report that Keswick MRT calls hit 100 in late August, an increase of 77% compared to 2008, and a 66% increase in alerts. North Wales also experienced a 20% rise over 2008 figures.
Whilst exceptional, this is not necessarily the pattern across all MR Teams.
But given a 14% increase in the number of individual team involvement call-outs across the Lake District area as a whole, prior to the August Bank Holiday, its clear that the demand on some MRTs is in danger of becoming untenable. Particularly for the many volunteers who freely give of their time, and live with the disruption to their personal & work life.
Basecamp proffers one solution, suggesting increasing awareness amongst groups on mountain activities.
I've a few more radical ideas concerning individual responsibility, self-assist, common sense, and unnatural hiding places for improperly used mobile phones.
But perhaps its better I resist the temptation to go into detail.
Well for the present, at least.
Labels: Lake District, Mountain Rescue Team(MRT), Mountain Resuce Team MRT BASECAMP, Wales
TGO 2010 - The Big Day?
Blimey - I've been away from an Internet connection for only a couple of days & then I come back to a deluge from the outdoor sites buzzing with details of those who made the draw for next year's TGO Challenge.
And those that didn't.
Regular readers may perhaps have spotted that in general I'm not particularly renown for moving with the crowd.
But rather than be left out perhaps I'd better say, just for the record ..... I also did not make the cut for TGO 2010.
Think my chances would have improved if I'd filled out and posted the entry form?
Come on folks - where's the can-do independent spirit of the wildcamper gone these days?
Sort yourselves out now
;-)
Labels: TGO Challenge
Sunday, November 1
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Tuesday, October 27
Outdoor Shopping - Trade Up or Down?
Up according the manager of this Oswald Bailey's shop - "We couldn't get enough tents in over the summer"
Perhaps not so great, if you followed the reports of Black's branch reduction last month - "The Group has experienced a difficult year in a particularly challenging trading environment.........the financial year saw our core Outdoor division maintain a sound performance in a tough retail market, reporting a small reduction in operating profit compared to the previous year"
(Although that was taken from a statement back in May before the main 2009 trading season got underway)
Anecdotal feedback from those I've spoken to in the trade seem happy, but there is often a tendency to talk-up trading conditions, rather than unsettle potential customers.
Well the trading report season is drawing near - let's see what the real position has been for Outdoor Retailing in Summer 2009.Labels: outdoor retail
Monday, October 26
Something Old, Something New; Outdoor Gear ideas
It seems there is always some new gear trend or other doing the rounds of the Outdoor community.
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
And those that didn't.
Regular readers may perhaps have spotted that in general I'm not particularly renown for moving with the crowd.
But rather than be left out perhaps I'd better say, just for the record ..... I also did not make the cut for TGO 2010.
Think my chances would have improved if I'd filled out and posted the entry form?
Come on folks - where's the can-do independent spirit of the wildcamper gone these days?
Sort yourselves out now
;-)
Labels: TGO Challenge
Wet Weather Wonder
For once last night's weather forecast was correct. Hardly difficult when it looked like the whole of the UK would be covered by one rather large raincloud.
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.Labels: nature;, New Forest
Tuesday, October 27
Outdoor Shopping - Trade Up or Down?
Up according the manager of this Oswald Bailey's shop - "We couldn't get enough tents in over the summer"
Perhaps not so great, if you followed the reports of Black's branch reduction last month - "The Group has experienced a difficult year in a particularly challenging trading environment.........the financial year saw our core Outdoor division maintain a sound performance in a tough retail market, reporting a small reduction in operating profit compared to the previous year"
(Although that was taken from a statement back in May before the main 2009 trading season got underway)
Anecdotal feedback from those I've spoken to in the trade seem happy, but there is often a tendency to talk-up trading conditions, rather than unsettle potential customers.
Well the trading report season is drawing near - let's see what the real position has been for Outdoor Retailing in Summer 2009.Labels: outdoor retail
Monday, October 26
Something Old, Something New; Outdoor Gear ideas
It seems there is always some new gear trend or other doing the rounds of the Outdoor community.
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
So naturally time to head for one of my local secret spots - a New Forest waterfall near Burbush car park.
As this only appears for a very short time with heavy rainfall its not a spot likely to become over populated with hordes of tourists, especially during the summer holiday months.
Hence the reason I can let you in on this particular secret.
The pool, usually a dry shale track, once more acting unwittingly as an outflow water course, before heading off westwards down along the old railway track.
On this occasion I clambered up to the top of the waterfall, to confirm the source of the water.
Heavy rainfall on the heathland above used to drain away naturally. But a heathland fire a couple of years ago somehow compacted the ground with the result that the small tracks are now channels for the excess water, leading to form deep pools at the edge of the heath. Which inevitably tips over the heathland edge and down onto the track below.
Once again I realise that I should get a a better camera phone for these sort of on the spot snaps.
Labels: nature;, New Forest
Outdoor Shopping - Trade Up or Down?
Up according the manager of this Oswald Bailey's shop - "We couldn't get enough tents in over the summer"
Perhaps not so great, if you followed the reports of Black's branch reduction last month - "The Group has experienced a difficult year in a particularly challenging trading environment.........the financial year saw our core Outdoor division maintain a sound performance in a tough retail market, reporting a small reduction in operating profit compared to the previous year"
(Although that was taken from a statement back in May before the main 2009 trading season got underway)
Anecdotal feedback from those I've spoken to in the trade seem happy, but there is often a tendency to talk-up trading conditions, rather than unsettle potential customers.
Well the trading report season is drawing near - let's see what the real position has been for Outdoor Retailing in Summer 2009.Labels: outdoor retail
Monday, October 26
Something Old, Something New; Outdoor Gear ideas
It seems there is always some new gear trend or other doing the rounds of the Outdoor community.
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Perhaps not so great, if you followed the reports of Black's branch reduction last month - "The Group has experienced a difficult year in a particularly challenging trading environment.........the financial year saw our core Outdoor division maintain a sound performance in a tough retail market, reporting a small reduction in operating profit compared to the previous year"
(Although that was taken from a statement back in May before the main 2009 trading season got underway)
Anecdotal feedback from those I've spoken to in the trade seem happy, but there is often a tendency to talk-up trading conditions, rather than unsettle potential customers.
Well the trading report season is drawing near - let's see what the real position has been for Outdoor Retailing in Summer 2009.
Labels: outdoor retail
Something Old, Something New; Outdoor Gear ideas
It seems there is always some new gear trend or other doing the rounds of the Outdoor community.
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
During the last couple of years one concept with increased publicity has been around the idea of a portable alcohol/meth burner.
Ever wondered just how long has this idea been around - a couple of years? Or perhaps an improvement on something from the 1990s?
Then take a look at this patent drawing from 1859.
Seem familiar?
So lets come up to date with this 2007 idea
For those of you who want to dig around in this area the list of historic burner patents should keep you quiet for a few hours (or days if Whitespider's Darren is reading this!)
But maybe burners aren't your thing - how about backpacks instead?
Even limiting a search to the last five years still turns up 51 offerings including a certain Mr Gregory's patent for "Backpack having distributed-load shoulder strap system" & North Face's "Backpack suspension system".
My point, aside from providing an interesting diversion for a few hours, is the wealth of new ideas or adaption of old principles, that are now readily available to consider for yourself.
We may not all have the drive of Colin Ibbotson when it comes to innovation in customising kit. But as a spur to understand the thoughts and ideas of others, and maybe spark some ideas of your own, the Free Patents Online site looks to have some interesting potential.
Hmm. I wonder if anyone has taken out a Patent on it yet?
All site material © John Hee - ask before you snatch
Subscribe to RSS feed
