North Face Duffle Review

It was easy to work out what to review when I asked myself the question, what comes with me on Every trip? The North Face Base Camp Duffle is the one piece of kit no matter what trip I go on, will always accompany me. I have been using these bags for the last 8 years and now have a collection!! Well they come in different sizes (25l, 42l, 70l 90l & 140l) and colours. Therefore you need a collection!!

I use the Large and the XL version, 140l is a big bag!! They can be carried as a holdall or they have a basic rucksac strap system for the longer carries. Although not massively comfortable to wear as a rucksac it is alot easier than carrying a 25kg bag in one hand. There is also twin haul straps at either end of the bag and 4 compression straps to streamline the bag slightly.

The bags are made from a durable laminated material, the base camp duffle is a bomber bag. When you need to strap them to the top of a vehicle or a Yak, your kit will stay safe in one of these.

With one large internal pocket, with a mesh pocket in the lid, it makes finding what you are looking for easily (compared to a long narrow rucksac, where what you are looking for is guaranteed to be in the bottom!)

These have been a popular favourite for the car camper to the most serious Expedition's and everyone in between. There are other bags that are on the market, many that look fairly identical. But after owning, and knowing others who have tried the others. I would always say the North Face Duffle wins hand down every time.

So whether I am on a weekend trip to Fontainebleau or giving it to a Porter to carry my kit up Kilimanjaro. My North Face Duffle is my kit bag of choice.

Hopefully the start of using this Blog more!!

Being away on Expedition with a school group is often busy, and this trip is no exception, 11 people doing 3 different PADI qualifications in Gozo. However, although the days are busy, you do get the down time as well. The groups have study to do in the evenings reading through the theory for their next day.  This has then given me some time to get the laptop out and think about things I have been neglecting, one of these items being the Rock and Rapid Blog. I have always wanted to be a blogger, but time restraints and other daily chores have always seemed to get in the way.

Being away all the time on trips, I get through a lot of different equipment & kit. To go with that I am also a gear freak who likes new shiny toys, but then don’t  all us outdoorsy people have the same addiction?

Many people often ask me for reviews on kit, or what to take with them on trips? I have always considered reviewing kit on our blog and never got around to doing it. With an hour to myself whilst the group is busy studying, I now have the opportunity.

I then thought about what was going to review? Then I asked myself what comes with me on every trip? The answer to my first question was then easy!

Happy New Year

Well hopefully you all had a good Christmas and New Year. This year is hopefully going to be as good as the last, but hopefully better. That goes for Rock and Rapid Adventures and my climbing!! Everyone always told me if you want to give up climbing the easiest way to do so is  buy a climbing wall. Well isn't that the truth!!

Well we have been busy over the christmas period. The New bouldering Training room is nearly finished, another few weeks and we will be ready to get the matting in and holds on the wall. We are really excited about getting the holds for the new training board and rungs for the campus board made from the guys at Beastmaker.

Fitness classes are starting this week at the centre, starting with Circuit training on a Thursday night at 6pm, only £1.50 to members of the centre, £3.50 to anyone else wanting to come down and burn the christmas turkey off.

2012 is also going to be the year we resurrect the shop, keep your eyes open in the centre and also online for some great climbing equipment and bargains. We will also be reviewing products on this blog as well to let you know what we think about the stuff currently on the market.

Check out the website for our current January sale that is currently happening online at the minute.

Mill Climbing Club

Don't forget the Mill climbing club still meet at the centre on a Wednesday night. If you are currently looking for a climbing partner or want to get outside more then this maybe a great opportunity for you to get involved in. Pop down the centre on a Wednesday at 7pm to find out more information. Their next trip is in February to North Wales.

Thats all for another few days.

Its been a while

It has been a busy few months and blogging hasn't been happening. We are trying to get back on track and let you guys know what has been happening.

We are currently building a new bouldering wall which we hope the first stage will be finished just after christmas. Once finished it will give in effect 3 bouldering rooms in the centre. One of which will be a training room. The new training board is a monster!!!

What else has been happening? After Christmas we will be reinstating the Rock and Rapid Shop back to South Molton. We are busy at the minute adding new products to the online store and getting things ready.

Please check out the website www.rockandrapid.co.uk 

We are also going to start fitness sessions at the centre after christmas. Circuit Training, Yoga and Boxercise. If anyone is interested please speak to the staff when you are next in, or tell your non climber friends about it.

Thats enough for now, but we will be blogging more in the near future, so please keep coming back and having a look!!

Team Rock and Rapid

Well Done to Sam - Letters after your name

This weekend our very own Sam Holden became one of the youngest holders of the CWA award. The reason for this was he sat the assessment two days after his 18th Birthday. Not only did he pass, but he passed with flying colours. Well done Sam for passing and not going out drinking the night before!!

If anyone is looking to do a CWA or SPA course then let us know in the centre and we can sort one out for you.

Please check out the MLTE for more information on the available awards.

www.mlte.org

Busy Bank Holiday Weekend

This weekend has been a busy one, with climbing, coasteering and surfing groups all going out. Coasteering has really seen a boom within Rock and Rapid Adventures this year, long may it continue as we love getting out of the wall every now and again and jumping off the Rocks!!

As we say - 'The most fun you can have wearing neoprene'!!

Check out our new coasteering video with is on YouTube

We have still got coasteering trips going out until October, so why not give the centre a call if you are interested.

We are going to write more facebook posts, tweets and blogs in the coming months to keep you informed of what is happening. Also let you know what climbs we have done, what trips we have been on and what kit we are using and wearing. We are also going to keep you up to date on what is happening in the Outdoor Industry.

See you all soon.

Rock and Rapid Now Stock FatYak Sit on top Kayaks.

If you would like to try these out, we do now have a hire stock and more coming. Speak to one of the staff when you are next down.

The Fatyak sit on top kayaks are manufactured in Williton Somerset in the UK by Ocean mouldings and provide an easy and affordable entry into the world of kayaking & paddling. They are very stable, easy to paddle and great fun for you, the children and the whole family. Because they're sit on top kayaks, it means that if the very worst happens and you capsize, it's not a problem because you won't get stuck and you can climb straight back on.

The Fatyak kayak is fun to paddle and suitable for all abilities, take it out on the sea and surf the waves, explore the coastline or go for a paddle on the local river.

The Fatyak kayak paddles in a straight line easily due to a combination of hull tracking channels and a built-in skeg. Adventurous paddlers will appreciate the Fatyak kayaks hull shape when playing and surfing in the waves.
The Fatyak kayak is comfortable to paddle with moulded seat area and plenty of legroom.

The Fatyak kayak is a one piece rotationally moulded kayak, no seams no joints and is manufactured using high grade high density UV stabilised polyethylene. It has moulded in padeye fixings giving unsurpassed leak protection. All Fatyak kayaks are manufactured in accordance to BS7852 in Somerset England.

Testimonial“Fatyaks are the perfect sit-on-top kayaks for your club or activity centre. Suitable for all abilities, stable for beginners whilst retaining a high level of manoeuvrability making them excellent fun for all in the surf.”

Dave Jackson (BCU Level 4 OC Coach, BCU Level 3 Kayak Coach)
Chairman of Exmoor canoe club