Sponsors and Schedules

I now have two confirmed business sponsors!

The first is Joe Browns in Snowdonia who have agreed to sponsor me by agreeing a kit or discount arrangement of some kind (details still to be decided). See the SPONSORS page for contact details. You can always be sure of good advice, a good deal and great banter when you visit Joe Browns! I look forward to writing on the Joe Browns blog about my adventures on the hill.

A huge THANK YOU to Sue and to Chris for listening to my rambling ideas about my Uk Big 3 and for supporting the conservation and protection of our wild lands (John Muir Trust) and saving lives through the gift of water (WaterAid)!

The second sponsor is Outside Edge in Oban, Scotland; See the SPONSORS page for contact details.  Outside Edge have asked me for a kit list and are working hard talking to brands and arranging to donate useful kit that I can put through its paces in the Scottish rain and wind (raging outside my window as we speak!)

A massive THANK YOU to Dave and June Bleazard who, back in 1989, recognised the need for remote town Oban to have a specialist outdoor shop of its own, saving us locals from having to travel for miiiiiiles to buy our outdoor essentials!

SCHEDULES...
Finally, I have spent much of this week reading Welsh Three Thousand Foot Challenges, A Guide for Walkers and Hill Runners (Clayton and Turnbull). This detailed little book includes a solid description of the Paddy Buckley Round as a 4-day backpack. Using this book, the internet and my personal experiences of Snowdonia, I have split the round into 4 (possible) legs that I plan to attempt in May. I'm not sure yet however, where to start and what order to do them in..... any advice?

The differences from the book are mainly due to overnight accommodation options and lengthening sections that I feel familiar/comfortable with. At the moment i'm thinking i'll use B&B/hostel/bunkhouse type accommodation in Wales (simply because it's possible) but use wild-camping/bothies in the Lakes and Scotland where the villages are less conveniently placed!

Next I need to calculate the lengths, ascent (and splits) of the 4 legs that i'm suggesting and also think about booking accommodation in advance (this means I can't just wait for a good weather window (oh dear!!!)