Blog

GR20 - 2013 - Costs

Sep 02, 2013

CostsRealistically you are talking £1.0K for this trip. I had a few days in Calvi at the end of the trip before the flight home, these costs have been included but the overall cost could be reduced by camping where I stayed in hotels or if you don't have any time to fill before your flight home.Getting there Return flights Newcastle to Calvi (via Amsterdam and Marseilles)£545.00Hotel in Marseille …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Gear Choice and Reviews

Sep 02, 2013

Gear Choice & Reviews GearChoice FactorsShort ReviewNemo Obi 1 Elite tentWeight was critical factor but I also wanted a two skin tent that didn't feel claustrophobic with a porch for storing some gear.The Obi 1 Elite is very light at 872grams and with a completely mesh interior it feels quite spacious. It also has the access on the side, which I prefer for solo tents - they seem to be easier to g …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Getting back

Sep 02, 2013

Getting BackThe end of my GR20 was at Vizzavona due to time constraints, its about two thirds of the way along the complete route, but travellers who stop here can be satisfied that they have completed the toughest sections. Vizzavona is a natural break in the trek where you can pick up supplies and take a rest day before tackling the Southern section. I arrived at about 13.20 on Wednesday 18th Se …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Getting there

Sep 02, 2013

Getting ThereThis was the second time I'd made the trip to Calenzana and each time it worked without a hitch, I left the UK around tea-time, stayed overnight in Marseilles and arrived at the start of the walk late the next morning. I completed 'Day 1' the same day so I effectively didn't waste any time travelling - I could have finished work early one day and was on Day 1 of the route the next.Wed …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Introduction

Sep 02, 2013

GR20, 2013 - The toughest trek in Europe with the lightest gear on the planet!The GR20 has a tough reputation, Mark Richardson tackled the defining Northern section over six days in September using it as a good test for the lightweight gear that we sell. If you're considering doing this route yourself you can read here about how he got on and how the gear perofmed, along with help and advice in ge …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Photo Gallery

Sep 02, 2013

Photo Gallery Day 1 to Bocca a u SaltuCamping at PiobbuSunlight behind PiobbuDay 2 - to Bocca PiccaiaAbove Bocca PiccaiaRefuge Carozzu in treesCamp - Refuge CarozzuSunset at CarozzuDay 3 - Spasimata SlabsBeyond SpasimataCirque du SolitudeChain ScramblesView from Bocca MinutaDay 4 - Refuge TighjettaMountain footpathHotel Castel di VergioDay 5 - towards NinuHigh level viewHikers on the trailLow clo …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Trip Report

Sep 02, 2013

Trip ReportCorsics GR20 - The toughest trek in Europe with the lightest gear on the planetCatchy title? ..and almost true, the GR20 is considered by many to be the toughest trek in Europe and I did take some very lightweight kit with me when I completed the Northern section, generally accepted to include the toughest sections of the toughest route.More about how tough(!) it was later, and before w …
read more

GR20 - 2013 - Gearlist

Sep 02, 2013

Gear ListThis is a list of some of the essential items I took on the trip and what each item weighed. Sleeping Bag Lightwave Firelight 450760gPod airstream Lite Drysac74gSleeping Mat Neoair Xlite Regular350gExped Ultralite Air Pillow45gRucksack Crown VC w airbeam frame900gRain Gear Montane Air Jacket346gMinimus pants136gCooking sts 5 litre sink97gAlphalight Long Handled spoon15gFire Mapl …
read more

Corsica - April 2012 - Kitlist

Apr 02, 2012

Corsica - April 2012 - KitlistCorsica in April is mainly hot - but high in the mountains there's usually deep snow still lying and while most days are cloud free about a third are cloudy with some rain. On these cloudy days at altitude the temperature can be suprisingly low.I had a window of opportunity to do a short training walk and even though the guidebook said it was too early to attempt the …
read more