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

Gear talk

Sleeping base layers

Three Points of the Compass takes a look at the base layers he uses as sleep clothes. There have been recent changes, not much, but at least these now lack the holes and rents of the old un's.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Suunto A-40 compass

This baseplate compass from Suunto includes a novel little addition; a small tracking wheel for measuring distances on scale maps.

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day eight- Aldbury to Ivinghoe Beacon and the Bridgewater Monument

Mr and Mrs Three Points of the Compass wind up their summer adventure with a short climb to the eastern end of the Ridgeway and a visit to the monument to the 'canal duke'

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day seven- Princes Risborough to Aldbury

Our penultimate day on the Ridgeway. But with much to see, over 15 miles to walk and an early restaurant booking waiting for us, would we get there in time. And should we pop in to visit the Prime Minister on the way?

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day six- Watlington to Princes Risborough

After a cracking days walk yesterday, we were looking forward to another day on the Ridgeway. But would we beat the rain that is forecast?

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day five- Goring to Watlington

A day of promise- fine weather, water meadows, iron age construction, medieval paintings, polo ponies, and not forgetting, tea and cakes in a church.

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day four- Letcombe Regis to Goring

Another wet day on the Ridgeway beckoned. It was going to be one of those Type Two days that requires a little internal discipline.

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day three- Woolstone to Letcombe Regis

Another day on the Ridgeway. A drier day than yesterday, a shorter day than yesterday, and yet more Iron Age Hill Forts to explore

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day two- Ogbourne St George to Woolstone

Today's section takes us to the highest point on the Ridgeway, plus another Iron Age fort and neolithic long barrow. But it's going to be a wet day...

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day one- East Kennett to Ogbourne St George

Our first day on trail starts with a rolling route across the Marlborough Downs, heading toward an Iron Age hill fort, complete with fork-tailed raptors above.

National Trail

The Ridgeway: day zero- Arriving at Avebury

Mrs Three Points of the Compass joins me on another hike- the 87 mile Ridgeway. Following over 5000 years of history from Avebury to Leighton Buzzard.

Gear

The trials of trail shoes

Three Points of the Compass delves into his love/hate relationship with trail shoes. Now everyone, sigh and shake your head, pity him...

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Ronald McDonald curvimetre

Two pieces of moulded plastic, that introduced children to the notion of measuring a line with a circular wheel. While at the same time pushing brand awareness on to them.

Gear

Unpacking from the trail. Scotland has been wearing me down!

...or rather, multi-day hikes punishing gear over time. It looks like Three Points of the Compass will be hitting the summer gear sales.

Gear

Packing for the trail: my hygiene kit

Packing a few items that may, just may, keep me slightly cleaner on trail. It's not hard, its not difficult, just needs a bit of thought.

Gear

Packing for the trail: goodbye old friend

OK, so it Is just a flexible water bottle. But it is (was) amongst the oldest items of gear I have been using continually on just about all of my backpacking trips over the past decade.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: ADAC Kilometerzähler

This month's example is a fun little measure made especially for use with road atlases produced by the ADAC breakdown service

Trail talk

Trail talk: Fjällräven Classic Chile 2024- Day 4 ‘The Torres del Paine day’

Three Points of the Compass heads to the finishing line on the final day of Fjällräven Classic Chile. But there are still a few ups and downs to contend with first.

Trail talk

Trail talk: Fjällräven Classic Chile 2024- Day 3 ‘The Lakes day’

It was now day three on the Fjällräven Classic Chile 2024. Today would see Three Points of the Compass hugging the shores of the beautiful Lago Porteno, Lago Maravilla and Lago del Toro in southern Patagonia.

Trail talk

Trail talk: Fjällräven Classic Chile 2024- Day 2 ‘The Mountain day’

After an excellent day in the forests of Southern Patagonia, Three Points of the Compass begins a second day, with high expectation of mountain views, on the Fjällräven Classic Chile 2024.

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