What am I waiting for? 24hr Microadventure
Happy Friday!
When was the last time you caught a train to nowhere, walked across fields and up a hill, before sleeping out under the stars?
That was the question I was asking myself after finishing last week's piece on A.I.. The next question was: What are you waiting for?
Turned out there were a few things to wait for (my sister's birthday, house admin, a statistics exam), but yesterday afternoon I finally boarded a train for Epsom, 8 miles from a hill.
I won't bore you with the mile by mile photogallery because who cares. I'd just ask you the same questions I found myself asking last week:
When was the last time you caught a train to nowhere, walked across fields and up a hill, before sleeping out under the stars?
What are you waiting for?
Maybe you don't care for a walk and a hill. Fine, whatever you're into. But if any part of you is wondering, then here's some encouragement from what I learned last night.
DO take a stove for a cup of tea in the morning. I use an MSR pocket rocket (a superb gift!). It's well worth the weight for a morning warmer.
DO jump into any rivers, lakes or puddles. Paddle, wade and swim if you can. You never regret taking the swim.
DO swing on rope swings if you're lucky enough to pass one. YES.
DON'T bother with walking boots. They're hot and heavy. I used cheap walking sandals (without the back straps) and my boots stayed in my bag (still heavy).
DON'T take a tent. Are you insane?
DO take a bivvy bag. I use the excellent but tightly fitting Alpkit Hunka (also a superb gift!). Only use it if it actually rains. A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are fine otherwise. My sleeping bag: cheap Eurohike. My sleeping mat: expensive Thermarest. Both well worth the money.
DO find level ground. Tempting as the hill views are, I can never sleep on a slope.
DO take a sleep mask. The stars are really distracting. ;)
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SOUNDTRACK TO WRITING THIS EMAIL
Not so much a soundtrack as a birdsongtrack. As it should be.
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Whatever you're into, I hope you find your microadventure this weekend.
- dc
p.s. Life To The Lees: Cycling Around Britain is still merrily asale.
p.p.s. Oooh... You can forward this email to a friend!
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