Trekking Equipment

Since the beginning of this blog I've received many e-mails asking me for suggestions on what to carry with you while trekking. I excuse myself with many readers especialy with Padovani J. and TRek Liza for not being able to supply a more specific in-depth list via mail. I am very stretched timewise, I hope this will do.

As a general rule, I try to trek as lightly as I can. Normally 60% of my load consists of drinking water. Other consumables such as food will make maybe 20% of the load. The rest is the stuff one could need typically while trekking in Malta.

I use a medium/small rucksack to carry all of my needs. A 10 to 15 litre pack is ideal for a full day of trekking. However if you plan to camp, give due consideration to what you might need and the size of the backpack required.

As a general rule I always carry with me a small "emergency kit". I refrain from calling this a first aid kit because it is very far from what a first aid kit would be made up of.

The kit consists of an elastic bandage, some soft padding, a pair of scissors, a small can of sun burn spray, a pack of tissues, a roll of adhesive stick, contact lenses holders with clean lense fluid, a condom and a pack of Garasone.

I strongly recommend the carrying of Garasone (eye/ear drops) as this is very effective against anything you might get into your eyes. It makes miracles and soothes the eyes big time. However this is considered to be a rather heavy eye medication, so consult your optician before making use of it. And btw, be aware that it has a tendency to turn contact lenses yellowish.

The inclusion of the condom in this kit is not a joke. You may need to seal a bandage or an injury especially if you are going to wet it either due to rain or sea. Nothing seals better than a condom. Military forces from all over the world including some special forces use condoms to waterproof delicate equipment.

In some cases, if you are trekking the northern coast you may need to swim after you get blocked in some crevice or dead end. Believe me, if you are trekking on the edge of the coast you will get yourself in this sort of problem quite often. Sooner or later it will happen to you too. And in that case, there is nothing better to seal that mobile phone or that digital camera better than a condom.

The other items speak for themselves, if you are not aware of you can do with them, you should not trek dangerous areas.

I learned from experience that it is always worth to carry a flashlight with you. Even if you do not plan to trek after dusk. If you get in any situation where you have to face dark, nothing will give you peace of mind more than a charged flashlight. It is useful to explore some interesting place you might come across too, such as smal caves, crevices and some abandoned underground shelter or farmhouse. I use a Maglite double d-cell flashlight as part of my equipment. This particular model balances finely between weight and lighting power.

Maglite

Something I never trek without, is my wrist-top computer. The below model is the Suunto X-lander, a 'watch' which will never let you down. It has a compass, barometer, altemeter and many other functions, among which surprisingly enough there is a basic clock. Eventually you will make reference to many of it's functions. And the compass function is truely practical and accurate.

Many consider a small knife as essential. I definitely agree with this. However, although I am a fanatic of large knives including fancy hunting knives and machetes, you will not need such stuff while trekking. All you will need is a small pocket knife to cut down possible obstacles and maybe to eat a fruit or two with. A pocket knife of small size will also keep you in good terms with the authorities. Be realistic, you will never need a 12-inch blade hunting knife while trekking in Malta.

When trekking coast-side, you will need to climb or descent very sharp surfaces, if you do not fancy yourself as a stigmatee be wise and equip yourself with a pair of synthetic leather gloves. They are flexible enough to avoid you nasty scratches and at the same time to let your hands adapt to the surface you are trying to master. Try to chose a pair of gloves which are water proof.

A box of matches and a cheap-ass zippo-style lighter would make your day if for some unfortunate reason you need to light a fire to keep you warm at night. The zippo-style lighter is the best common source for flint sparks. If you need to light a fire you will never regret carrying thes two simple items with you.

As a precaution I always carry with me a telescopic baton as a deterrent. I've been unfortunate enough to encounter guard dogs or hunting dogs too often while peacefully minding my own business trekking. I am not advocating violence against animals, since even the swishing noise the baton makes while extending will scare the animal off. Do not use this tool on the animal as it is absolutely not humane (this thing hurts big time). A hit on a nearby rock will signal the animal that you are not scared of it and it will rapidly flee off the scene.

Half of the pleasures in trekking are the memories that come with it. Always carry a digital camera with you to capture that breathtaking scene or that steep cliff you were able to master.

As part of my package I normally also take with me some food and drink supplies. As a rule of thumb I take 3 litres of drinking water for a planned six hour trek. As for nutrition I opt for some fruits and a packed lunch. You do not need to go over the top on these since a heavy stomach will hinder your progress. Find a balance.

A couple of other items I did not mention are some sun-shades and your mobile phone. Do not overlook these two items.....NEVER!

Trekking is all about balance, mainly...... weight versus functionality

COMING SOON!

Last couple of weeks were very busy for me and of course the lack of updating of this blog proves it.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to do any new treks since my last one, being extensively occupied by a couple of ongoing projects I am into right now. And yes..... by work too.

Anyway... to cut a long story short, I will be doing three updates this coming week. As from today, I will try to finally answer the million dollar question, "what you carry with you when trekking?". If I had 5 euros for every time I've been asked this sort of thing I would be happily, permanently retired and trekking Thailand or Baja California.

The three items for this week will consist of:

Trekking equipment.

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Mini Trek Update - De Redin Towers - Hamrija Tower.

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Ahrax Trek - 2007.


As for my upcoming treks, first on the list I will be re-trekking, via a new route, Il-Qammiegh, hopefully doing the full pass to Paradise Bay in less than 6 hours. An extended trek on the coast near Ta' Ciantar and Ras il-Wahx is expected soon too.

Top priority for summer though, will be a trek from Gnejna to the spot under il-Pellegrin where I was force to abbandon my last trek.

The mini-trek side project will get more updates as well. Starting from Qalet Marku Tower and later the Ghallis Tower which will feature an interesting and spooky story from a fellow adventurer.

For the first time, I will be considering fellow trekkers and adventurers to join our team for the upcoming treks. So.... if you feel like you are able and experienced enough to trek the coast on the north of the island, don't hesitate and send me an email.

Mini Trek - De Redin Towers - Madliena Tower

I got interested, in what are commonly known as the “De Redin” Towers around two years ago, when my ex-boss’s youngest son was doing research for some kind of project on fortifications in Malta.

This is what Stephen C. Spiteri says about coastal towers in his book:

De Redin Coastal Towers

The coastal towers were built during a span of sixty years and can be easily classified into two distinct groups that reflect two separate concepts of coastal defence strategy. The first group were massive squarish towers fitted with heavy pieces of artillery and garrisoned by a sizable detachment of regular troops. These large towers were built not only to guard the major bays susceptible to invasion but were also expected to engage the disembarking enemy with their powerful guns while their garrisons were required to harass and reconnoitre the enemy.

In the period between 1620 and 1649 the Knights had also introduced a much smaller type of coastal tower intended to serve solely as a permanent lookout post rather than as an isolated stronghold. The new watch-towers built during the rule of Grand Master Lascaris, but paid for by the Universita, were intended to fulfil a clear-cut role, enabling the Order's engineers to standardize and perfect their design from the elongated Lippia-type watch-tower to the more squattish example at Wied iz-Zurrieq. The latter was to serve as a blue-print for the chain of thirteen watch-towers built by Grand Master De Redin and designed to relay warning signals all the way to Valletta. The limiting factors that had determined the reduction in the size of the coastal towers and the change in their role were basically ones of manpower - the Order did not have the manpower to post large detachments of troops at every possible landing place. These lessons were soon to be forgotten in the beginning of the 18th century when the Knights again embarked upon the fortification of every bay and inlet around the island, when batteries, redoubts and coastal entrenchments were then the new order of the day.

Reference:
Stephen C Spiteri (1994):
Fortresses of the Cross - Hospitaller Military Architecture (1136-1798)
Heritage Interpretation Services (p.272-273).

Very often while trekking I would come across such towers (not just De Redin’s). And quite frankly I could not recognize from one to another. These towers are spread around all the coast of Malta from North to South and from East to West. One is guaranteed to come across one, ever two miles or less of coast.

Around late-2007, I decided to dedicate some time to these towers and started updating the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Redin_towers) section on them mainly with photos. Most of the coastal towers including non-De Redin ones are accessible to the general public.

Arriving at the towers’ sites involves some degree of walking, but more or less, it’s more of a hike than a proper trek.

MADLIENA TOWER

To start with, I am uploading some photos of the Madliena Tower which is easily accessible near the I.T.S.’s building in Pembroke right by the AFM’s shooting ranges. This area is quite practicable and one can reach the tower directly by car, though it would be much more fun to leave the car near luxol grounds and hike to the location. I would not recommend a visit to this site in the summer months as the rocky beaches near-by turn regularly every year into a pervert’s paradise.

For More information on the towers, go to the Wikipedia link provided above.

My Next Tent

I am finally getting myself a new tent.

From What I could find locally, I short listed the following two:

Vango - Sigma 200 (Adventure Camping Shop - B'kara)



Robens - Voyager 2 (Surplus & Adventure - Mosta)
Still, I'll have to go and see what the Scout shop in Floriana has to offer.

Trek 18th January 2008

The areas surrounding Bahrija are spectacular during the early months of the year. A green mantle covers all the surrounding cliffs and valleys. Small waterways are common. Unfortunately most of these places are marked as private property, either due to being used by hunters or due to agricultural reasons. So it is of utmost importance that one keeps this tiny detail firm in mind when trekking these places and mainly while on the way to reach points such as Il-Blata, L-Irdum tal-Vigarju and Is-Sikka.

Hunting grounds should be relatively safe and hassle free when the hunting season is closed, so it would be much better to plan a trek here during closed season. On the other hand, fields are cultivated 12 months a year, so better watch out for demarked fields and walk along field borders when no alternative route is found.

I have to point out the rather hostile attitude of farmers in this area. During this trek, farmers kept an eye on us wherever we went.

The terrain can be considered as mild when compared to other northern coastal zones and a trek of this area should not be of particular difficulty. One though, should note that in some areas, sheer drops and steep gradients are the rule not the exception. Some abandoned trapping fields are still equipped with trapping equipment, such as wire ropes and cables of various types which will make the trapping field a booby trap if crossed carelessly. It is important for a good trekker (in Malta) to learn how to recognize a trapping field or else one might risk tripping over cables and getting injured.

The trek I suggest is from Wied tal-Bahrija uphill to Il-Qlejgha, followed by a downhill to Il-Blata. Once on this level you can proceed along L-Irdum tal-Vigarju until you reach Is-Sikka. These are all very risky areas and due consideration to usual safety procedures shall be given. A wrong step in a place like L-Irdum tal-Vigarju means a 60 meter fall. Along this specified trek you will be exactly underneath L-Irdum tas-Sarg, which ideally could be the best way out to Tal-Merhla and back to Bahrija if one wants to avoid repeating the trek backwards.

When I attempted this trek last January, I was not aware of all the marked private property, and I based my plan on a quick glimpse of the zone via Google Earth. An inspection of the zone prior to trekking is strongly suggested.

COMING SOON!

Bahrija Trek Jannar 2008

Ftit ritratti mit-trek li konna ghamilna ghall-bidu ta' Jannar 2008, trek li hadna mill-Wied tal-Bahrija ghal fuq Il-Qejgha u ghal qrib l-Irdum tal-Vigarju. Trek li xtaqt stajt naghmel ahjar imma li minhabba l-propjeta privata kelli noqghod lura.

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Mini Trek Side-Project - It-torrijiet ta' De Redin

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Ircevejt xi e-mails li saqsewni ghal xi taghrif fuq l-equipment li wiehed l-hjar li jgorr mieghu waqt it-trekking. Behsibni niddedika bloggata (kif jghid Sandro Vella) zghira ghal din l-informazzjoni.


Dana kollu hekk kif jippermetti l-hin.

Bear Grylls flies over Everest summit

A clip from last year's Discovery Channel's Mission Everest. Ex-UK Special forces and survival specialist Bear Grylls teams up with engineer Giles Cardozo to fly with powered paragliders over Everest's summit.