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: bothies

A glance back at some bothies visited over the years… A’Chuil is a well-situated and appreciated halt. Particularly by those on the Cape Wrath Trail. As I approached the bothy […]

Cooking

Knife chat: Victorinox Money Clip- useless clip, great knife

The 74mm range from Victorinox doesn’t get much attention. There […]

Cooking

Gear talk: Kovea Spider KB-1109

As the temperature creeps down, it is time to use a gas stove admirably suited for winter use- the Kovea Spider

Trail talk

Trail talk: “Camp the Outward Bound way- and laugh at the weather”

This 1963 article on 'how to camp' appeared in the Eagle Annual

books

Trail talk: happy birthday Rupert Bear

Having begun life in ‘Little Lost Bear’- a simple newspaper ‘text comic’, an illustrated story with accompanying text, on 8th November 1920, Rupert Bear went on to become a much […]

map measurer

Map measurer of the month: The Roller Rule- “The Pencil with a Brain”

The Roller Rule was invented by John Hoe Morehead of […]

books

Trail talk: A brief history of rambling guides for Kent

“Kent includes within it every variety of scenery which can […]

Gear

Gear talk: new socks!

We all get a little excited with the opportunity of trying out a new piece of gear or clothing. For the past few months Three Points of the Compass has, […]

Gear

Knife chat: SOG Snippet- the best scissors you will find on a mini multi-tool

The SOG Snippet is a keychain multi-tool that brings the finest pair of small 'precision-cut' scissors to the backpacker

Trail talk

Trail talk: the language of the compass

A compass could be more than for simple navigation. Here, it is being used on a postcard to signify feeling. This fascinating card is a relic of long lost romantic gesture from that time.

map measurer

Map Measurer of the month- Pif gadget No. 342 ‘le curvimètre’

Pif gadget was a French magazine for children that included […]

Gear

Gear talk: Delta Ground Anchors- for when things get rough

Delta Ground Anchors have earned an enviable reputation amongst wildcampers for their ability to stay in soft ground in strong winds.

Electronics

Gear talk: RovyVon Aurora A5x Red

The RovyVon Aurora A5x Red is one of the lightest, most well equipped keychain lights with an effective user interface available to the backpacker

knife

Knife chat: Leatherman Juice B2

In 2017, Leatherman announced two new tools intended to extend their popular mid-size Juice series. And neither of these would have pliers.

first aid

Gear talk: backpacking mirrors

“Good grief!” I hear you exclaim, “he is on about bloody mirrors now”. Yep, I cannot fathom why backpackers venture out on trail without at least the smallest of mirrors. […]

Gear

Knife chat: The Leatherman FREE T4

US company Leatherman was founded in July 1983 and released their first multi-tool the same year. Numerous and varied multi-tools, most based around a set of pliers, have joined their […]

Food

Trail talk: Vitamins and supplements for both hiker and knackered old has-been

For many years Three Points of the Compass has shied away from […]

map measurer

Map measurer of the month- The HC Self-Registering Rotameter, model A90

This interesting little map measure has a stained and warped […]

Gear

Gear talk: ‘zote foams

azote Noun- an obsolete name for nitrogen Origin- c18th from French, from Greek azōtos ungirded, intended for Greek azōos lifeless Collins English Dictionary Closed-cell foams are primarily used by backpackers […]

Electronics

Knife chat: A ‘memorable’ Victorinox- but what’s the point?

In 2005 a range of little multi-tools was introduced by […]

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