I've noticed that quite a few Challengers have been splashing out on new rucsacs for this year's TGO Challenge. I am just as guilty...
This baby cost me the princely sum of two of Her Madge's pounds from a charity shop, and had it not been for another brand new rucsac arriving at Mission Control, might well have been coming with me this Thursday on the twenty fourth annual PreWalkDaunder. I carried an almost identical model in the Summer of 1970 on the Pennine Way. But that one had felt lining to the straps.There's posh! It had had a fair few miles under its belt when I was loaned it by my wonderful Scout Master, William Charles Kemp. Bless Him.
1970 was the summer of Mungo Jerry and 'In the Summertime', being buzzed by a pair of Avro Vulcans barely a hundred feet above our heads, (my legs gave way completely!) and us lads feeding Horlicks tablets to wild fell ponies, who amazingly came back for more!
Quite a while ago I wrote to Bergans with the photographs and Unique ID stamped inside the sack to ask if they could let me know when this chap was made. Sadly, they did not reply.
In the spirit of Old Mortality:
Postscript: I see now where Mad'n'Bad found the inspiration for his TGO Challenge string vest...
Ah. Felt padding on the straps. I'll bet your new jobby won't have that. I will wait until Friday morning to see what you have purchased. Will it have sufficient volume for me to put some of my stuff in it?
ReplyDeleteI've not yet tried packing the new Thule. Despite being advertised as 45 litres, it does seem quite small, but the roll-top waterproof gadget pocket did it for me.
DeleteI fear you'll be carrying your own stuff Sir, and possibly, if room allows, some of mine!
:-)
A Thule? But that's a car top luggage box. Masses of space if a little heavy. I would offer to carry your stuff, sir, but feel it would do you a disservice, you needing the training in preparation for your 240th TGO Challenge.
DeleteThule make excellent packs. Been using a Capstone 50 as my main bag for almost 3 years now (Cambrian Way and the last TGO) and it's been great. So good I bought a spare in case the annual re-designers mucked about with it.
DeleteMy first impressions are that it is beautifully thought-out and extremely well-built. It appears bomb-proof and won't self destruct like my new Osprey Talon 44 which tore on its first trip.
DeleteI'll be doing a proper review after the PreWalkkDaunder this coming weekend, John.
Mr Fellbound, Sir.
DeleteContain yourself, man! Two hundred and forty Challenges, eh? Will there be any of Scotland not buried beneath whirling fibreglass, steel towers and millions of tons of reinforced concrete and roads? Will there be any Mountain Hares left? Any raptors?
I think this rucsac might go the distance but I'm not sure about this knackered old well-upholstered frame of mine.
My Capstone has proved to be totally indestructible and beautifully designed. The materials feel like they've been lifted from a 70's Cyclops.
DeleteGosh I loved Horlicks Tablets...
ReplyDeleteDruggie. 😁
DeleteWe did too! But they seem to have disappeared into the Great Void, along with Spry cooking fat, the Totem Pac Senior and Andy Pandy.
DeleteAndy Pandy? Isn't he racist or something? The victim of racism?
DeleteWhat's this about Andy Pandy? I'm bereft.
ReplyDeleteAh, the memories. I did my first backpack with an external frame rucksack that was so uncomfortable I can feel the pain now. I had a canvas day pack not unlike yours that I took on my first winter trip to Scotland. I did Ben Nevis and the Carn Mor Dearg arete in full winter conditions with it, axe held between my shoulder blades when not using it. Simpler times. I had to google how to use my latest rucksack!
ReplyDeleteGoogling how to use your rucsac...
DeleteThat can never be a good start. You should be able to sling it on your back and walk, and then fiddle with the straps when your having a pork pie in the sunshine. It sounds like it could end in tears...
:-)
I've been looking for that vest for ages..
ReplyDeleteAll this new gear we have is well and good. But I need new joints and some other body parts.
Oh yes! Cousin to the pack I had when I was but sixteen summers - which had, control yourself, steady on there - straps lined with sheepskin! Somewhere there's a pic of me up to my thinghs in snow in New Hampshire. Where the license plates read "Live Free or Die", which is one of those existential questions. Like the signs on the French autoroutes - "Speed or Death". Hard choice, my man, hard choice.
ReplyDeleteAnd in yr last pic, is that doughty fellow on the right consulting a compass or merely lighting his pipe? We need to know.
Felt-lined straps - I'd forgotten about those!
ReplyDeleteAh, so you are starting a museum? I'm sure it's just a question of getting through to the right person at Bergans. Keep trying, and take care on the Challenge, the first one I've missed since 2007.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you've filled out an application for leave from the Challenge, Martin!
DeleteYou should have a pretty good reason!
1. Manning 'Control' for the second week. (Behave yourselves!)
ReplyDelete2. Hernia op pending - currently confined to short walks, and had to bale out of Anglesey Coast Path walk last week.
I'll be as good as gold, Sir. It's always them others!
DeleteSorry to hear about the hernia - take care, Sir, and love to the Dishy Pharmacist.
Thanks Al. Minor problems compared with some - it seems to be a 'Bad Year' for quite a few people.
ReplyDelete