Quicktime Pro used to let you do this . . . .

Those Luminous lights look nicely made – if the internals are as well specified as the connector they’ve used then the prices are very good value.

Mountain Equipment Annapurna – have had mine for about 30 years and its still going strong; treated it to a specialist clean last year and it came up as good as new. The design has evolved a bit over the years, but if they make them as good today as they did 30 years ago then you won’t go far wrong.

Condensation will be forming on the colder bit of glass – so if the warmth is coming from the inside of the room then the misted glass is in the glazing unit that’s giving the better insulation. If they’re supposed to be Argon filled (which is used to improve the insulation) then it could be that one has been filled properly, and the other not.

It might also be simply down to one of the panels being warmer because its been in the sun more than the other which might have been in shade ?

One of these helped when I suffered a while back.

A small pair of slip jaw wrenches might be worth considering – can be used to grip, but can also replace a spanner at a pinch.

Petzl do some serious “Pro” headtorches, but you won’t get any change out of £200.

Global annual production would fit into a volume roughly 5m by 5m by 5m – which is about the same as two standard 40 foot shipping containers. It’s very rare, and very useful.

Akbaital Pass, on the M41 (which runs through the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan).

Sounds like I’d better start looking after my Soda a bit better then. Its taken me to some fabulous places, and I hope it will continue to do so for many more years to come.

Some external aerials here – but I’d guess that you’d need to check that they’re compatible (and connectable) to you handset. Nokia used to be known as being one of the “better” handsets for reception in poor signal areas – don’t even bother to try with an iPhone . . .

More races next week daily from Wednesday until Sunday; first race each day starting at around 14:20

These people might be worth a look – have run a couple of their L1D torches (nor replaced by LD10) over the last two winters and have been very impressed with battery life, beam pattern and waterproofness.

Try taking a short break every couple of hours – even just 5 minutes walking around and stretching out will make all the difference.

I have an early version of the Vango Force 10 Vortex (a geodesic with snow valance – not at all like the old Force Ten ridge design) – a bit fiddly to put up, but has proven to be very capable in rough weather and heavy snow over the last five years or so. Latest version is a bit heavier than you want, but they’re built to last, and mine is certainly lasting well.

Lots of the felling taking place in the SW at the moment is being done to try and curtail the spread of an infection that’s killing a wide variety of native trees – they’ve just had to take down a mature horse chestnut outside where I work which fell foul of the disease in a matter of weeks.

I thought you were camping ? . . . bread, cheese, cider . . . sounds pretty vegetarian to me ! 😉

Start from Plymouth, hop across to Roscoff on the Brittany Ferry, turn right, head around the coast keeping the sea on your right, go inland once you’re past Brest and travel along the Canal de Nantes a Brest until you’ve had enough, then head north until you reach the sea again, then back to Roscoff and home.

Dibbs – If you call them they’ll probably claim that there’s a “new customer” discount on the web price. However, I’ve found in the past that they’ll usually match the lower price if pushed.

It is very annoying that Insurance companies in general seem to care more about attracting new customers than retaining their existing ones . . . perhaps there’s more commission for the sales staff on new policies . . .

Rather odd that the only CK part NOT listed on the Aspire VeloTech website is replacement headset bearings . . . . ❓

Schwalbe Marathon Extreme DD – not cheap, but excellent grip, last for ages and virtually puncture-proof.

If you stick it in the washing machine then parcel it up inside an old pillowcase first – will help to keep the plastic buckles in one piece. Also worth filling up the rest of the drum with other stuff to help keep the load balanced – a couple of old towels should do the trick.

Next summer – Lhasa to Kathmandu.

Some good little bags available from Alpkit – here[/url] – “Mission pack” (in the Accessories section) might suit.

If I’m out camping in the “fourth season” then I’d definitely want a tent that will provide good reliable protection in that environment; I wouldn’t want to compromise my safety and security for the sake of an odd half kilo or so of weight . . . so why the strict 2kg weight limit ?

Not sure how you’d get on with a teepee style if the ground was too hard or rocky to get the pegs in.

The difference between
Bullheart and others is
not a lack of strength,
not a lack of knowledge,
but rather a lack of will.

I’ve a Gore windstopper fleece with pit zips which might suit – think its a Gore Tool II – have had it for two or three years and would thoroughly recommend it. Nikwax Polar Proof helps to keep it showerproof. Although you almost certainly can’t get exactly the same jacket now I’d guess that the latest version is probably very similar.

Worth a click . . .

These people ?[/url]

Well happy with the Samsung NB30 I’ve been using recently. Only thing I’ve changed is RAM (swapped the standard 1Gb for a 2Gb module – a 2 minute job), and I’ve also added a wireless mouse.

Stoner – “usually with good advanced warning signs” . . . . always a sign, but not always good – a few signs I spotted were in danger of disappearing behind undergrowth.

Recently spent a very enjoyable couple of days getting to and from Morzine – and didn’t spend a single euro on tolls. Roads were generally pretty quiet so its possible to achieve a decent average speed – but be aware of the increasing number of roadside speed cameras (usually with good advanced warning signs, but cameras themselves are not as obvious as UK dayglo Gatso boxes).

Another vote here for Roberts – have two (MP43 and Ecologic 4) and very happy with both.

Know any student types who can get an educational copy validated for you ?

Not sure its in the right area for you, but on a recent trip to the Alps I stopped off along the way in a place called Mouthe (about 50 km north east of Geneva, in the Jura) – seemed to be lots of interesting (and well marked) XC routes criss-crossing the area. A Google for Mouthe and VTT should yield a map of the area . . . .

Rohan Superstriders – here – expensive, but exceedingly durable and very comfortable. Don’t pay full price – wait for one of their regular sales.

“Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptop, shop purchases, camera etc.) must be carried in your 1 permitted piece of cabin baggage. Extra/oversized cabin baggage will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee of £40/€40”

Lupine Tesla 5 is worth a look – I’ve used a Tesla 4 for a couple of winters and have been well impressed with its light output, battery life and general quality of construction.

Very difficult to get a good colour match in the long term – if the new mix matches now then it won’t in a few months time as it ages and changes colour.