camping

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer and Pioneer Electrician

The Alox Pioneer knives from Victorinox are good looking with well made robust tools. These two-layer options from the 'medium-pocket knives' range differ from each other only slightly and either may provide exactly the tool set required.

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

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

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.

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.

Trail talk

Trail talk: the Gritstone Trail

Backpacking along the edge of the Peak District, with hills to my left and the Cheshire Plain stretching far off to my right. It snowed, rained and (occasionally) shone brightly for this three day February trip. The Gritstone Trail went up, it went down, very rarely was it flat. Regardless of the gradient, mud was a frequent companion.

Gear

Gear talk: Salomon Soft Flask XA filter

Salomon have paired up with HydraPak to produce a handy lightweight water filtration set up for runners. It is also an ideal choice for backpackers looking for a lightweight solution to filtering water on trail.

Gear

Favourite gear: the Katadyn BeFree water filter

The Katadyn BeFree filter has been a favourite piece of gear for the past five years. Unsurprising as it is light, compact, easy to use and has been successful in preventing me from getting sick on trail

Gear

Favourite gear: Katabatic Gear Elite and Flex quilts

Katabatic Gear make some of the best down quilts available. Three Points of the Compass is fortunate enough to own two of their range. They have been used for hundreds of nights while backpacking and each is amongst my favourite pieces of gear. They are superb. I take a look here at the Katabatic Palisade 30°F and the Katabatic Flex 15°F quilts

Cooking

Three Points of the Compass

Long Distance Trails, lightweight backpacking and gear, map measures and anything outdoorsy

camping

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer and Pioneer Electrician

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

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

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

Knife chat: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 and Swiss Army 2

Favourite gear: GSI sipper mug

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

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

Trail talk: the Gritstone Trail

Gear talk: Salomon Soft Flask XA filter

Favourite gear: the Katadyn BeFree water filter

Favourite gear: Katabatic Gear Elite and Flex quilts

Gear talk: fitting the Edelrid Hexon stove to the Trangia Stormcooker

Gear talk: Nalgene bottles- hydration, hot water bottle and more…

Knife chat: which to choose- scissors or pliers? Why not have both, with the NexTool Mini Flagship multi-tool

Gear talk: the search for a pillow for a restless side-sleeper

Knife chat: The Wenger Esquire and derivatives

Trail talk: Facilities on the Great Glen Way

Trail talk: Slighe a’ Ghlinne Mhòir- six days in November. Part two

Gear talk- butane canister converter nozzles