Comments on: Nose Job …

By: eBothy Blog » PHD, should I consider them?

eBothy Blog » PHD, should I consider them? — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:17:26 +0000

[...] on a summer’s night. They say it’s actually warmer than most 0C rated bags, which Andy Howell seems to back up. The biggest problem is the lack of a zip so I know I’ll overheat in it. [...]

By: David

David — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:59:03 +0000

I agree with Jim. I found the article fascinating and, like Eddie says himself at the end of the article, there is nothing lost in trying his idea out.

It was totally in keeping with the TGO’s go lighter if possible direction. The article I find puzzling in the same edition was the profile of someone working for Sprayway. It was a sort of design world biography only vaguely connected to outdoor backpacking and walking.

I think that one was the April fool!

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:13:35 +0000

Jim – as I said ” I shall say this only once”

By: Jim Jessop

Jim Jessop — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:35:07 +0000

Andy – you surprise me – when many would level the same kind of ‘lunacy’ accusations against you for advocating UK tarp use etc…I think we have to accept that Eddie Meecham is working at the far edge of ‘lightweight’ in terms of what the majority of us would find comfortable or acceptable, but personally I learned a lot from the two articles especially in terms of safety.

As we lighten our loads it’s always possible we may be tempted to go too far and take too little for a surrise cold snap. I learned from Eddie that if I’ve got some waterproofs like paclite etc which actually isn’t all that breathable. Then it would be worth popping it over my baselayer (using it as a vapour barrier) with other clothing layered on top – which is something I might not otherwise have thought of.
Also, as someone who used to have to work in one as a wood machinist years ago, I wouldn’t dream of trying to sleep regularly in dust mask – but again as a safety item weighing less than 10g I would think about carrying one as a safety back-up in case of any underestimation of conditions etc. Makes sense as I can certainly testify you do get damn hot in one!
I don’t think Eddie or TGO are particularly expecting anyone to follow Eddie’s example in terms of their regular backpacking style and equipment.
The most ridiculous article I’ve read in TGO on ‘lightweight’ was Cameron’s suggestion that weight savings were to be had from cutting out labels from kit and clothing – anyone try that? If you did please let me know how much they weighed!!

By: The Solitary Walker

The Solitary Walker — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:50:14 +0000

That piece, plus the piece he did about tarps in the previous issue, were quite the most bizarre and scary articles I’ve ever read in any mag – and that includes The Fortean Times. The photos look as if they were taken in Guantanamo Bay. Early April Fool’s jokes, surely?

By: Des

Des — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:49:57 +0000

I once caught a mouse in our kitchen using a humane trap late at night and left it outside in the garden with the intention of releasing the creature the following morning in our local park. Unfortunately it was a cold night and in the morning the mouse was dead and frozen solid. So I think Eddie Meecham is a joker!