Author Archives

Jools

UK backpacker, striving for lightweight while body gets increasingly heavyweight. Completed all of the UK national trails while fitting in local day hikes and other multi-day trails both in the UK and overseas. Walked across mainland UK on five month 2500 mile 'Three Points of the Compass' hike in 2018

Trail talk

Trail talk: The Thames Path

Three Points of the Compass is taking a sedate summer wander along the west section of the Thames Path. This is no frenetic high level backpacking trip. Instead, it is […]

Trail talk

Trail talk: Southern Upland Way: Part three- Moffat to Cockburnspath

I was past the half-way point of the Southern Upland Way and had the east coast of Scotland (almost) in my sights. The bigger climbs were now behind me and the paths became easier underfoot. While there was rain ahead, I cared not as I was just about recovered from illness and enjoying the trail immensely.

Trail talk

Trail talk: Southern Upland Way: Part two- the Glenkens to Moffat

My time on the Southern Upland Way continued. I was enjoying the trail immensely and was heading toward a day off at the midway point. However a problem was about to be encountered...

Trail talk

Trail talk: Southern Upland Way: Part one- Portpatrick to the Glenkens

Three Points of the Compass walked the 215 mile Southern Upland Way in April/May 2022. Part One follows me from the Irish Sea at Portpatrick to the Glenkens

Uncategorized

Trail talk: Lego Hiker (2008)

Three Points of the Compass has a look at what was probably the first hiking minifigure released by Lego. But to find this little chap you had to work through the various windows in an advent calendar in 2008.

Knife chat

Knife chat: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 and Swiss Army 2

Sometimes all that is wanted is a simple folding blade. The well priced and good looking Swiss Army 1 or Swiss Army 2 from Victorinox may be all that is required

Trail talk

Trail talk: Lego Hiker (2018)

Three Points of the Compass has a glance at a trekking pole carrying minifigure released by Lego in 2018

navigation

Trail talk: maps, don’t be afraid to write on them!

While many have made the change to exclusive use of digital mapping, Three Points of the Compass is still using paper maps backed up by digital maps on the phone when on trail. Before I even leave home, there will be annotations on my paper map- phone numbers, arrows, circles, 'tent' symbols and drawings. These are invariably added to on trail. Anathema to some, but maps are a tool to be used and abused.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: a Fritz Chatelain measure

This map measure from Fritz Chatelain of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was sold by Lawrence & Mayo in the late 19th/early 20th century. The instrument is an early example of the HC and FC 'Universal Map Measure'.

Gear

Favourite gear: GSI sipper mug

Another item of favourite gear for Three Points of the Compass. This time it is something simple- a sipper mug from GSI Outdoors

Cooking

Gear talk: Fire Maple FMS-116 and FMS-116T gas stoves

Some backpackers prefer a wide burner head on their gas stoves. This feature can add both weight and bulk to a cook kit, but not always. Two canister top options from Fire Maple have proven themselves as reliable performers over the years, one is light and expensive, the other is heavier and cheaper, the choice is yours.

knife

Knife chat: are you flying? a look at bladeless ‘knife’ options

Many of us like to pack along a little knife when backpacking or travelling. But what to take when flying. Rather than lose a favourite to zealous security, there are some little tools that don't include a blade. Three Points of the Compass looks at three options.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Zlatoust curvimeter KY-A

The Russian made KY-A Curvimeter was made for both the civilian market and the Red Army at the fabled Zlatoust watch factory in the 1970s. Cheaply made from plastic and metal, it is a robust and reasonably accurate instrument.

Cooking

Gear talk: Aspen 4- a cleaner burning option for multi-fuel stoves

The whole point of a multi-fuel stove is that it gives you options. One fuel may be more suited to colder conditions, another may permit better simmering, one could be the cheapest option, another may be the only fuel available. Aspen 4 is amongst the very best of fuel options for a liquid fuel stove.

Gear

Gear talk: the Opticron 8×20 Gallery Scope

Opticron are a UK optics company that produce monoculars, spotting scopes, binoculars and peripheral equipment. The great majority of their products are manufactured in Japan by 'elite optical manufacturers'. Products are good value, high quality and backed up by warranty and good after-sales service. The 8x20 monocular is quite an old product now, but has undergone a minor design revamp. It is an affordable and good choice for the lightweight backpacker.

Gear

Gear talk: the Viking 8×25 ED monocular

For those backpackers amongst us that like to carry a small optic for nature watching and the like, there are surprisingly few decent options. The Viking 8x25 ED monocular is a well made instrument with features that belie its reasonable price.

Gear

Gear talk: choosing a monocular for use on trail

Three Points of the Compass recently made a plea for those venturing into the outdoors to consider carrying and using a lightweight monocular. But what to buy? Just a few minutes browsing Amazon, eBay, AliExpress and the rest of them immediately reveals how much dross there is to choose from. Take your time, read up on the subject and specifications and choose wisely.

Gear

Gear talk: a plea for the monocular

Three Points of the Compass only occasionally carries a little monocular on multi-day hikes, but one of these little gadgets almost always accompanies me on a day hike. I tuck it into my packs hip pocket, there to be (fairly) quickly pulled out should I see something of interest. I actually seldom use it, but just occasionally it has really proven its worth.

Gear

Favourite gear: the Leatherman Squirt S4 keychain multi-tool

None of us require much in the way of a knife or multi-tool when backpacking. A small blade will normally cope with most tasks. However greater functionality can be useful on multi-day excursions. The diminutive Leatherman Squirt S4 has been a favourite of Three Points of the Compass across thousands of miles of trail.

Cooking

Gear talk: the Fire Maple FMS-300T ‘Hornet’ gas stove

The Fire Maple FMS-300T gas stove is a well made product from a manufacturer with many years of experience in producing stoves. This particular stove has been on their catalogue for ten years now. In that time Fire Maple have sold tens of thousands of them and they remain a favourite for those looking for a truly lightweight small burner, specifically for heating water rather than cooking. In operation, the stove benefits greatly with protection from the wind and if treated with due care should perform faultlessly for many years. While not the cheapest, or the most efficient, or even lightest for that matter, the FMS-300T will fill a particular niche more than adequately.

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