Only Eleven Days To Go

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This weekend I have taken time to get to know all my equipment.  I have:

• Cut up my ordnance survey maps into strips of coast line - large scale maps covering Minehead to Tintagel.
  
• Tried out some water boiling on my new gas stove and meths stove
  
• Checked batteries in my Silva Halogen headlamp
  
• Got to know the digital camera a bit better
  
• Decided on things like cooking utensils, dried food rations, water bottles
  
• Experimented with ways of packing my rucksack and separating items into groups within bags
  
• Adjusted my new pair of carbon fibre walking poles
  
• Weighed everything so far

I estimate that my pack will way between 17KG and 21KG depending on what I am carrying at the time.  Some days I will need to pack more food, water and fuel (for remote areas).

I'm feeling very strange as the days are ticking away.  The trek will definitely give me the challenge I am seeking.  I am expecting to experience some adverse weather conditions - I keep asking myself "Will I have to give up if I get the wettest September on record?"

How will I cope with the solitude?  Will my body cope with the strains I will place on it - blisters, shoulders, knees, back and ankles?

A late addition to my equipment list is a superb pair of Walking poles which I got half price on ebay - 2nd hand but in good nick.  They are very lightweight carbon fibre - Black Diamond.  They have 3 telescopic sections and I have already set them to my ideal length.

I am planning to have a test walk and camp next weekend - Saturday night in a campsite at the 3 magpies in Seend - an 8 mile trek up the canal from here.  Then pack up and walk back on Sunday morning.

Have had lots of great help, advice and support from my colleagues, Steve the Retro DJ, my friends and my Father Roy - who has spent most of his life climbing hundreds of mountains (he persuaded me to get the poles).

These photos do not include some items such as clothes, camera, Zen music player, bumbag, sandals, toothbrush, razor, facecream, etc...

I'm asking myself these questions:

• Why am I doing this ?
• Can I do it?
• What happens if I fail / get injured / pull out ?
• Why am I not getting some sun in Spain like normal people ?
• What could possibly go wrong?
• Am I fit enough?
• What preparation is left to do?

Vango Ultralite I  (one - two man all season tent)

KSB Gore-text boots - lightweight, strong and hopefully waterproof

Berghaus Flame 600 - goose down mummy-style sleeping bag

Ultra- lite self-inflating mattress

Gas stove, meths

Meths stove, ultralite 1 litre kettle, 2 saucepans, frying pan and universal fit handle

Self-inflating mattress

Fire starters

Rucksack

Carbon fibre lightweight walking poles (Black Diamond)

Top left to bottom right - waterproof strip maps, cotton hat, mosquito coils, insect repellent spray, 3 dehydrated lightweight food packs, camel pack for water, trekking first aid kit, very small toothpaste, Kendal mint cake, tin of chopped toms, dried pasta, SOS whistle, 2 survival bags, Mitts (or gloves) - waterproof, breathable and warm (XL)

Cutouts from the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 maps - covering Minehead - Tintagel

I know it looks like a shower gel bottle, but it's my Italian extra virgin olive oil (for fry ups, etc), my reading glasses, flashing, reflective armband, box for teabags, sugar & similar

Trying to make efficient use of space - squashed between the Kendal mint cake and teabags are my beloved Herbs de Provence.  Note there is no coffee in sight!

Meths Stove, pots, handle, waterproof matches and kitchen towel (to stop the rattle)