ysb33r - Network

kraut.zone seems to be having issues again. Can anyone suggest a decent PeerTube instance for hosting outdoor content and alao one for...

kraut.zone seems to be having issues again. Can anyone suggest a decent PeerTube instance for hosting outdoor content and alao one for hosting political content? Would prefer something in minimalised censorship country in Europe like Switzerland or Germany. Happy to make Patreon-like monthly donation to help pay for running costs.

#peertube

For the South African audience:I have 6 spots open for the High 5 hiking trail near Machadodorp for Easter long weekend (18-21/4/25).If...

For the South African audience:

I have 6 spots open for the High 5 hiking trail near Machadodorp for Easter long weekend (18-21/4/25).

If anyone is interested in taking them over you are welcome. (Or you can join up with the existing group).

Please RT for wider exposure.

#southafrica #mpumalanga #hiking #backpacking #slackpacking #high5 #numnum

The feature in the mapy.cz (online & app) offering that is missing, is that one cannot put arbitrary waypoints when building a route.But...

The feature in the mapy.cz (online & app) offering that is missing, is that one cannot put arbitrary waypoints when building a route.

But then I found out that there is https://gpxmapy.cz/

Discovery of the day!

It allows all sorts of waypoint layouts and integrates directly with mapy.cz.

#navigation #hiking

In lieu of preparing for upcoming backpacking trips this April/May, I also migrated to Packstack.Here is my current gear list for 7 days in...

In lieu of preparing for upcoming backpacking trips this April/May, I also migrated to Packstack.

Here is my current gear list for 7 days in the Drakensberg

https://packstack.io/pack/2fcf3c84-5bf7-4077-8ff6-7f524b70ff93

I have managed to drop 1.5kg off baseweight, but will be sleeping warmer. Sounds like a win.

Finally after 11 months my Hilltop Packs' dry bags arrived. Not the fault of Hilltops, but USPS. The originals are now probably being...

Finally after 11 months my Hilltop Packs' dry bags arrived. Not the fault of Hilltops, but USPS. The originals are now probably being sold on a street market in Egypt.

Hilltops did me a replacement set.

#whatsinyourpack #hiking #drybag #hilltoppacks

So here I am today with a swelling and a big bruise below it on my right thigh muscle. After lots of hard riding yesterday on mixed terrain...

So here I am today with a swelling and a big bruise below it on my right thigh muscle. After lots of hard riding yesterday on mixed terrain and off-piste, on the last run of the day, I had a binding release 100m from where the cars are parked. I fell on the edge of the released skiboard.

Luckily I hit it with a muscle and not a rib.

Hobbling around for the next couple of days.

Not sure if I would be able to hit the slopes tomorrow.

Spending time in the outdoors?Align yourself with the new UIAA declaration on hiking, climbing and...

Spending time in the outdoors?

Align yourself with the new UIAA declaration on hiking, climbing and mountaineering.

https://www.theuiaa.org/documents/mountaineering/UIAA_Declaration_Hiking_Climbing_Mountaineering_v1.pdf

#hiking #climbing #mountaineering #ethics #uiaa #responsibility

The UIAA has released a statement on the use of xenon for high-altitude...

The UIAA has released a statement on the use of xenon for high-altitude mountaineering.

https://www.theuiaa.org/statement-on-xenon-and-high-altitude-mountaineering/

#mountaineering #xenon #uiaa

A follow-on on the UGQ Bandit quilt. An initial (important) test at home. I paired with a Nemo Tensor pad, a Nemo pillow and a pertex inner...

A follow-on on the UGQ Bandit quilt. An initial (important) test at home. I paired with a Nemo Tensor pad, a Nemo pillow and a pertex inner that I've had for years.

The inner only weighs 170g, but for my trips in April, I might even go for a 128g inner from Naturehike that I spotted a while ago.

Getting the little pad straps in the correct place takes a bit of experimentation. That is why doing it at home first is important. I've now marked the sleeping pad where i meed the straps to go. Once you the correct placement the keep the quilt in place really well - better than the more expensive straps on my Cumulus quilt.

The quilt also have some nice options to pull the quilt in tighter for colder or drafty nights

#whatsinyourpack #ugqoutdoor #sleeping #hiking

A new piece of gear arrived today. A custom quilt from UGQ outdoor. Rated -6C, I am quite keen to try it out, but current mountain temps are...

A new piece of gear arrived today. A custom quilt from UGQ outdoor. Rated -6C, I am quite keen to try it out, but current mountain temps are at -12C, so it might be a stretch. It will definitely form a staple of some shoulder season hikes.

Very lightweight with the 950 fill. I opted for the sown footbox, as from previous experience I don't walk around inside my quilt.

https://ugqoutdoor.com/product/bandit-top-quilt/

#ugqoutdoor #whatsinyourpack #hiking

First day out for the northern winter season of 24/25.The top part was closed, so I did the bottom forest track twice. Somehow got...

First day out for the northern winter season of 24/25.

The top part was closed, so I did the bottom forest track twice. Somehow got interviewed by local television too.

#skimo #ski #andorra

Continuing on my water carry theme fromhttps://mountains.social/@ysb33r/113211211505945611.Smartwater bottels are popular in the US, but not...

Continuing on my water carry theme from
https://mountains.social/@ysb33r/113211211505945611.

Smartwater bottels are popular in the US, but not elsewhere. I recently travelled to South Africa 🇿🇦, and I thought to investigate whether there is anything similar down that way that can be used. Well, I found two that seem to fit the requirements - correct type of plastic, durability, weight.

Mountain Falls & Thirsti are the two brands. The latter brand is available country-wise, but I am sure whether the former is only in the Western Cape. Good news either way - if you travel there, no need to bring your own bottles, just buy them and recycle after your trip.

The take a standard thread so my adaptor kit also works. The also fit nicely into a side pocket of a backpack.

Mountain Falls 1lt 59g
Thirsti 500ml 25g.

The Thirsti bottels also come in 1.5lt versions, but I did not get to try them.

#hiking #southafrica #whatsinyourpack #hydration #mountainfalls #thirsti

If you thought ice climbing is not possible in South Africa, here is renowned Canadian ice climber, Will Gadd, talking about...

If you thought ice climbing is not possible in South Africa, here is renowned Canadian ice climber, Will Gadd, talking about it.

https://youtu.be/Z_QbPsigN5c?si=YFN_vUNEht1wodLU

#southafrica #iceclimbing #drakensberg

Still on the road. Shot this pic in the morning. A lot of people will probably recognise this iconic mountain.If you don't know, this is...

Still on the road. Shot this pic in the morning. A lot of people will probably recognise this iconic mountain.

If you don't know, this is Table Mountain shot from the Bloubergstrand side.

Now imagine what the European explorers must have thought when they sailed around the Cape the first time.

#mountains #southafrica #capetown #tablemountain

It is the start of the southern summer and the Matroosberg (meaning sailor mountain) still have patches of snow on it. IIRC this mountain...

It is the start of the southern summer and the Matroosberg (meaning sailor mountain) still have patches of snow on it.

IIRC this mountain gets the most snow in South Africa, which is a bit crazy as it is only 2249m.

#southafrica #karoo #boland #mountains

The amazing Hex River Valley mountains as seen from just as an amazing drive on the Du Toitskloof pass.Once through the pass one gets into...

The amazing Hex River Valley mountains as seen from just as an amazing drive on the Du Toitskloof pass.

Once through the pass one gets into more wine country, but this time of Chenin variety.

I have never hiked here, but I am told the terrain is pretty tough, especially when doing the Hex traverse. It is on the bucket list though.

#southafrica #boland #westerncape #mountains #wine

Mountains of Stellenbosch. Taken from a vineyard where I met up with some old friends for lunch.Incidentally one of my friends are starting...

Mountains of Stellenbosch. Taken from a vineyard where I met up with some old friends for lunch.

Incidentally one of my friends are starting a multi-day walk tomorrow where one walks to 10 vineyards in 3 days for wine-tasting.

#stellenbosch #southafrica

Not something I normally do, but went cycling today. As I was down in Cape Town, I got invited my an old friend of 40+ yrs of friendship to...

Not something I normally do, but went cycling today. As I was down in Cape Town, I got invited my an old friend of 40+ yrs of friendship to go. We went on this scenic route from Houtbaai to Noordhoek across the world renowned Chapmans Peak drive. After a drink we did everything in reverse.

The whole ride was about 20,km.

#capetown #cycling

For skimo, snowshoeing and winter walking, I have long relied on a pair of 3pc BD expedition poles. What I did not like about them, is that...

For skimo, snowshoeing and winter walking, I have long relied on a pair of 3pc BD expedition poles. What I did not like about them, is that they had no insulation below the handle and the straps were not the easiest to adjust.

Instead of getting one of the newer BF poles, I opted for a pair of Komperdell Titanal Exp poles. Not the lightest at 594g per pair, but they do have some nice features.

The insulated part goes down all the way to just above the top fliplock. The leashes adjust easier than the BD version too.

The insulation will make it more comfortable to ski down with poles in hand - no more feeling the freeze through lightweight skimo gloves. And going up it will easier plunge the poles in and grab them lower down in those non-than-ideal ascents.

https://www.komperdell.com/en/Titanal-Exp-Pro/K1742355-10-Tele

#whatsinyourpack #skimo #winter #snowshoeing #komperdell #blackdiamond

For those of you that use Leukotape, do you save weight by trying to roll a section of the tape onto a smaller cylinder?#leukotape #firstaid...

For those of you that use Leukotape, do you save weight by trying to roll a section of the tape onto a smaller cylinder?

#leukotape #firstaid #hiking #whatsinyourpack