We all probably our favourite item equipment. That piece of kit, if it was to be lost we would replace with one exactly the same. Something which goes on all of your outdoor adventures, possibly crossing the boundaries between land and water based activities.
If I had to choose one piece of kit, it would have to be my tent. A Mountain Equipment Helios, which we bought in Cotswold Shop, in the Lake District, early in 2012. At the time I remember thinking , that was pretty expensive, retail price was around £500 and I hoped that we get our money’s worth. I needn’t have worried, it has proved to an absolute bargain.
A brief history of its travels include:
2012 - Greenland 3 weeks
2012 - Kayaking 1 night
2013 - Baja 2 weeks
2013 - Kayaking 2 nights
2014 - Baja 2 weeks
2014 - Kayaking 2 nights
2015 - Greenland 3 weeks
2015 - Kayaking 2 nights
2016 - Maine Island Trail 2 weeks
2016 - Kayaking 7 nights
2017 - Baja 2 weeks
2017 - Greenland 3 weeks
2017 - Aeolian Islands 2 weeks
2017 - Kayaking 7 nights
2018 - Belize 1 week
2018 - Channel Islands 2 weeks
2018 - Kayaking 3 nights
2019 - Baja 2 weeks
2019 - Inner Hebrides 3 weeks
2019 - Algonquin 2 weeks
2019 - Kayaking 13 nights
2020 - None
2021 - Kayaking 5 nights
2022 - Greenland 2 weeks
2022 - Kayaking 4 nights
2023 - Baja 2 weeks
2023 - Greenland 3 weeks
2023 - Kayaking 6 nights
Countries where it has been used include Scotland, Sweden, France, Italy, Greenland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Belize and the Channel Islands.
By any measurement I would reckon that is pretty heavy use, in a variety of environments, stretching from the offshore coral reefs of Belize to the glaciated landscape of western Greenland.
Returning to the thought, was it worth the money. The price works out at £1.56 a night, which I think is an absolute bargain especially as there are probably a couple of years of use left in the tent. That said it is beginning to show its age, whilst the walls show the scars of the numerous battles between its inhabitants and the swarms of biting insects so indicative of the Arctic.
The tent market is fairly competitive but unfortunately Mountain Equipment no longer appear to be making tents so when the time comes to replace this item of trustworthy equipment, it will be necessary to look at the products of other manufacturers.
A favourite item of equipment, which will be a challenge to replace when it sadly comes to the end of its long and useful life.
The kayak club I belong to have been talking about running some wild camping trips, sounds like fun. Not in Greenland though, here in the UK!!
Maybe a Hilleberg next time? Superb design and build quality.