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.