Evernew Sidewinder

My first titanium pot was the Evernew 900 ml pot, which I have owned for about 7 years. Sometimes I stop using it but then I return. For me it is lightweight and the width of the pot ensures that most burners will quickly boil the water in the pot. I am also a great fan of the Ti Tri Caldera but as many others will say the packing of the cone is problematic. Well the good news is that the folks at Trail Designs have been working on it and for some pots there is the "Compact Option" as well as the "Sidewinder option which fits inside the Evernew pot, as shown.


The weight for the Ti Tri Caldera Sidewinder and Inferno set up including the Tyvek covers is 78 grams and with the pot weighing 98 grams (without handles) the total weight is 176 grams for pot and wood burner. Coupled with a gram cracker for use with Esbit and you have a little over 180 grams for a complete multi fuel cook set.



I had to try the set up out so I went to a local forested area and set about lighting the wood fire and making a cup of tea. While I have used other Ti Tri infernos, one thing I have noticed is that once the pot is placed on top of the cone it can be smokey, but with the sidewinder it was much less so, due in part, I believe, to the wide opening which allows a better updraft to be established. I normally light the fire in the inferno and once it is well established I add the outer cone pre installed with the pegs and the place the pot on top. To grip the pot I use a set of MSR LiteLifter



The wood used was what was found in the forest and the larger opening makes it easier to place nice size pieces of wood into the cone.



Tea is made.


As usual the wood soon burns down to a small pile of ash which is easily extinguished.



I will be using this wood burning stove on my upcoming overnight trips, so more in the field reports will follow.

Gear for 24 hr trips

In the coming weeks I expect to be undertaking a number of 24 hour trips. These trips will most likely be located on Sjælland in Denmark and will rely on public transport to and from the trail head.

As these are overnight trips then the gear required will be minimal especially as most of Sjælland is rural and a small town is never far away. However, it is the rurality (sic) that impacts on the ability to camp. Unlike Sweden and Norway there is no All Mans Rights and camping is strictly regulated, perhaps rightly so in a small country such as Denmark. But this means that any camping locations have to be chosen wisely taking account of the surroundings and the impact on other members of the community, for this reason my shelter will be either a bivy or tarp in subdued colours, likewise my clothes will also need to be of a subdued colour.

For the big three I intend to use

Gossamar Gear Murmur a pack that will undoubtedly hold more than is needed for an overnight trip.

Sleeping quilt will be my Nunatak Arc Specialist quilt.

Shelter, will vary between the Nemo GoGo and the Golite Poncho Tarp

As for cooking I will use a Caldera Keg H or a wood burning stove. ( More details will follow on the wood burning stoves). If not using wood then I intend to use Esbit (14 gm) as I have found it to be reliable when boiling 600 ml of water. To light the Esbit I use an alcohol hand cleaner and a mini bic lighter.

I intend to write more gear comments as the trips unfold in the coming weeks.

Salomon XT Wings 2: First walk

Much of the hiking I do in Denmark and southern Sweden is on hard packed trails and tarmac and as a consequence I need shoes that provide support, traction and some padding in the sole. I also prefer to use Salomon shoes as they fit and comfort level is consistent across the different styles I have used. Lighthiker in a recent post reminded me of the XT Wings. After much searching I was able to find a pair in my size online and they duly arrived from Beyond Extreme. Straight out of the box the shoes felt comfortable and fitted, I wear a UK 13.5 (EU 49.3) in Salomon shoe and the weight for my shoes is 880 gm for the pair the same as the weight of my Terrocs in UK size 13. My Salomon Tech Amphibian 2 in UK 13.5 weigh in at 740 grams for the pair.

As I said the shoes felt comfortable from the time I put them on, they have a reasonable lug sole, better than my Salomon XA Pro Ultra (compared side by side below)



One of the benefits of the XT Wings is that they are non Goretex lined, my preferred option, one that is increasingly difficult to find. I wore them on a 8 km walk through the nearby forest and was very happy with the comfort level and the way that the heel nestled firmly in the back of the shoes. Some writers have expressed concern at the Salomon lacing system, but I have replaced one set of laces (in my XA Pro Ultras) and it was a straight forward process and on an extended walk I would take a spare lace for the just in case situation.




Admittedly a short walk does not constitute a real test, but proved that I will be using them on forthcoming walks.

Australian Interlude

We have had the opportunity, to visit Australia to see family and friends. Whilst here we also had the opportunity to drive along the Great Ocean Road and walk sections of the Great Ocean Walk.

Below is a selection of photographs.

The seven Apostles



LochArd Gorge, which has a fascinating story of the shipwreck of the Loch Ard and the survival of two passengers.



The view from the Johanna Beach Campsite on the Great Ocean Walk.


One of the locals at Cape Otway.