The Outdoors Station

Well the second Wild Camp adventure is now under my belt. Venturing further from home each time, with the first (No 378) being on my local Malvern Hills, and the second walking away North from the same area on the Worcestershire Way, almost to the half way point, before returning back to base. I'm approaching these Wild Camps from a novice point of view trying to show the typical circumstances you might have to face as you build up your confidence in the adventure recording as they happen, typical problems of weather and kit you might have to overcome on route.

The first in the 12 part series, this wild camp takes place virtually on my doorstep on the Malvern Hills. Arriving late, using a bivvy bag and leaving early meets the requirement of keeping wild camping as low impact as possible. I chose to keep the equipment simple and cheap, typical for someone trying it for the first time. With an ex Army bivvy bag and an old 2/3 season sleeping bag on top of a small sleeping mat. The weather wasn’t unkind, but it was a bit dull sleeping and waking in a grey cloud. Please check out the website to see the equipment and what little is needed to enjoy a nights rest like this. Keeping it simple for the first Wild Camp is important and I hope this journey will encourage people to try it for themselves, but respect their environment in the process.

Almost 10 years of podcasting and 10 years of retailing in the Outdoor Industry I’ve noticed some significant changes in shopping patterns and where and how people research their gear. This podcast looks back at those 10 years and the effect our habits have made in the retail world as we know it. Do you feel happier to be able to talk to a retailer, or do you prefer a bargain, no matter where it’s come from? Also Rose takes one of her friends wild camping for the first time and reflects on her fears and concerns. This leads me nicely into my personal challenge of 12 months wild camping using either a bivy, tarp or hammock, but keeping it lightweight and simple, no matter the weather!

Spoonfest. Ever heard of it? No, neither had I until last month. Its an annual gathering in Edale Derbyshire, where a few hundred people gather together in a field to make wooden spoons. That's it! Not just spoons, but everything associated with this craft. Spoons, scoops, cups, butter knives and virtually anything one could carve from a humble tree branch. It's a whole new world, a revolution and a celebration in this natural craft using basic tools. All levels are catered for and with 24 courses a day, over a three day period there's no excuse to not learn something new, enjoyable and totally refreshingly simple. This podcast explores the event, the people and the different impact that making the humble spoon, makes on then. Well I for one am totally hooked! Put the website in your web browser for next time http://spoonfest.co.uk

Sea to Summit in the UK are probably best know for their range of travel accessories. They are in fact a much, much bigger company with a vast portfolio which dips into may different areas of interest in the camping world. In some case producing some of the more lightweight versions of shelters many have never heard about. This year they were presenting their new range of sleeping mats, which have once again, gone one step further than the competition in design, durability and features. The interview indicates what level they test the products to, but for me the most interesting feature was that you'll only ever get 'half a puncture! Anyone who has had to sleep on hard cold ground as the result of a puncture will find this a key feature. Camping has become once again. thanks to the recent great weather, a pretty cool thing to be doing at weekends and holidays. Everyone wants to coolest set up and the neatest experience during the day, but at night navigation can prove to be an issue when you have forgotten your head torch to find your way back home. So how about these? V shaped tent pegs, which incorporate a colourful lighting system to give you that 'runway' feeling as you stagger back under a starlit sky. Well it had to happen and it has maybe been a very long time in coming. However Hilleberg have finally released a lightweight version of their very popular Akto, now called the Enan. While maintaining a lot of the previous aspects of the Akto they have address some of the more important air flow issues and managed to reduce the weight to a very respectable 1.1kg. If you have been a fan before maybe now is the time to start saving and revisit your old friend. Paramo have a massive customer base and many of our outdoor friends swear by their 'wear it all day' clothing principles. Especially during the colder month. During the summer it is a different matter and up until now, Paramo hadn't produced a lightweight version which offers an option when things get too hot. This new Mens Enduro and ladies Ventura fleece and wind shirt provides a variety of options for the alpine walker and I'm sure, many other fans who want something lighter to use during the warmer months. If not all year round. Don't forget all these items can be seen in more detail on the The Outdoors Station website or on our YouTube Channel. http://youtu.be/t-jY6xedoFk

This second podcast from the three part series recorded at the recent Outdoor Show in July 2014 at Friedrichshafen in Germany starts to look in more detail at some innovation and development which I'm sure will be of interest to many fans of the outdoors. Vargo Outdoors are a US brand which have become well known for their sleek and simple designs of products using primarily Titanium. Which is lightweight, durable, hypoallergenic and a material which will never wear out. In this interview we touch on 3 new products, a super sleek Titanium Hip Flask, Titanium Running Spikes and the re-introduction of an external (Titanium) frame based rucksack system. Well worth a look. The Five Fingers barefoot shoe based product has taken the outdoors world by storm. First in the US and now working it's way into the UK market as more and more people try and like this groovy shoe which comes in funky colours and has many applications. The latest product to gain attention of everyone at the show was the Furoshiki concept shoe. A clever injection of rubber compound into material which basically creates an stretchy, wrap around foot sole. You need to see it to understand! Although it isn't a cycling based show, it was good to see a handful of brands there with products supporting this enthusiast. Quality luggage was the order of the day, as there is obviously need to a waterproof but more business like storage system for business commuters. Ortlieb were displaying a new more vibrant colour range of their traditional 'classic' products along with a new 'commuter' selection which looked like they would really hit the spot in this market. Don't forget all these items can be seen in more detail on the The Outdoors Station website or on our YouTube Channel. http://youtu.be/t-jY6xedoFk

The big European Outdoor Show took place in July 2014 at Friedrichshafen in Germany and we visited to take a good look around the vast selection of gear on show. Keen to find any new manufacturers, interesting items or fresh developments in the outdoors world, we interviewed a whole series of brands and bring you this 3 part podcast series as a result. In this release, we speak with Tim Butcher from a new British company true-mountain.com. True Mountain has only been in operation for a few months and already the clothing and designs are catching the attention of many. Not only are the products designed in the UK, Tim is keen to manufacture in their own factory which allows flexible timescales, quicker turn around of products and swifter reaction to market demands. Fly the flag with True Mountain! McNet Europe, is a well known name for the variety or repair and protective adhesives and patches they provide for all types of outdoor technical fabrics. At the show they were launching a new mozzie net repair patch, which will be a blessing for anyone who attracts these little critters through tears in the bug netting. Aarn packs have been available on and off in the UK over recent years. The split pack design (some on the back and someone the front) offers a good centre of balance when carrying heavy loads. However they are bit of a marmite product, so we chat to Tim Cambell about the features which he feels make them a good contender for the European market. Don't forget all these items can be seen in more detail on the The Outdoors Station website or on our YouTube Channel. http://youtu.be/t-jY6xedoFk

The health of the nation is falling rapidly well below previous years and a new Government report indicates our children and grand children could be doomed unless we encourage regular activity soon. Walking is such a simple past time and in this podcast we celebrate the simple pleasures gained from it within the social environment of the Malvern Hills Walking Festival. Please encourage others to give walking for pleasure a try.

Heather Elston completed the 2014 TGO Challenge and joins us to share her thoughts on the event and the perspective of a solo female walker. Did the vent live up to expectations? Was the crossing demanding? Did she feel vulnerable at any time? Was it a lonely experience or social? All this and more is answered in this interview and I hope it will encourage more to enter this unique event in the future. 200 Miles across Scotland isn't for the faint hearted, but it is a rewarding experience no matter the weather!

Great to see a new UK manufacturing business designing and making products within our shores for the outdoors enthusiast. Maybe Trakke is an unfamiliar name to most backpackers, however I'm sure the cycling community, who recognise good kit when they see it, are more than aware of this small but passionate business based in Glasgow. I'm sure this could be of interest to numerous travellers too, both urban and world who like style and functionality to be a strong element in the gear they use every day. We also touch on some feedback from our recent outdoor show in Malvern and in particular a generous listener. If you can take a few moments to email us feedback to the questions we pose we would appreciate it.