Mountain

Ledlenser NEO9R Headtorch Review

Equipment Outdoors recently asked Steve to use and review the Ledlenser NEO9R headtorch. Steve had no prior experience of the Ledlenser range, so it was certainly interesting to try one of their products.

The NEO9R is primarily designed for runners and others intent on fast-paced activity. With this in mind they have placed the battery on the rear of the headband and have a small but powerful light on the front. It is also possible to wear it on the chest using the included chest strap.

Using this headtorch was immediately a positive experience: the grippy silicone covers on the battery and light, combined with the excellent headband and top strap, made the torch very stable on the head no matter how vigorous the movement.

The NEO9R has three power settings plus a boost mode and a flashing red light on the rear of the battery pack. On its lowest setting the light is dim at 20 lumens/5m/120hrs; the mid power is 200 lumens/60m/12hrs, whereas on high power it’s 600 lumens/120m/5hrs, with a short-term boost mode of 1200 lumens/200m. The red flashing led at the rear is always on when the torch is in use. The light is switched on and off and between modes using the silicone button on top of the light. It is intuitive to use but the button is small and could be awkward to find and use if wearing substantial gloves.

For activity there seemed no reason not to run the NEO9R on high power all the time, as 5 hours is usually more than enough for a single activity. There are three forward-facing leds which provide a wide, soft, continuous beam without any harsh edges – perhaps the best I’ve used. The light also penetrates a long way on high power, though the boost mode didn’t really provide a significant additional benefit when used. The torch is charged with a magnetic attachment and a USB C connector.

At 199g the NEO9R is not the lightest on the market, but the weight is far from burdensome, especially given the excellent stability and comfort provided by the Ledlenser headband. The beam pattern, breadth and depth are first class; this light will excel if moving quickly in poorly lit or fully dark environments. It could also be used as an additional bicycle light and would be perfectly good in many other activities where powerful lighting is required. For runners always in well-lit urban areas, or anyone needing to be seen rather than needing a light to see by, a flashing front light option and a brighter rear light may be more use. For anyone wanting a robust, comfortable, stable light with an excellent beam pattern, particularly when moving quickly or over variable terrain, the NEO9R would be a great choice and I have no difficulty recommending it.

Equipment Outdoors provided the NEO9R for testing and review. I dealt with Miles who was very pleasant and helpful. Equipment Outdoors stock the NEO9R in both blue and grey, though if you have different lighting requirements, they do stock the whole Ledlenser range and will be pleased to help you choose the most appropriate light for your needs.

By Steve|March 3rd, 2025|Mountain, Reviews|Comments Off

Winter arrives in the Lakes

Winter arrived in the Lakes last week, providing the full range of conditions from crystal clear skies and snowy calm, to whiteouts and blizzards. Steve ventured out several times, the image shows a bitterly cold summit which was accompanied by very strong wind, a spindrift blizzard and 10m visibility. At the same time in the valley there were light winds, no snow and much warmer temperatures.

Many people are tempted up into the winter hills as they look so inviting, but the reality up high can be very different and very dangerous. Buying expensive winter equipment does not make us safer unless we have appropriate kit for the conditions and can use it under pressure in stressful situations. Walking poles and micro spikes are often more useful and pertinent, for those walking in the Lakes, than axes and crampons. The latter equipment requires significant practice to develop the necessary skills and reactions (axe) to use effectively.

If you are unsure what equipment to buy or carry in the winter hills, or would like some practical support for your winter mountain adventures, get in touch with Steve on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk . He’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help.

By Steve|January 13th, 2025|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

Stac Pollaidh

Following his recent sea kayak trip to NW Scotland, Steve managed to add in a walk and scramble up Stac Pollaidh in Assynt. With fabulous weather a great hike (and not a little exposed scrambling) up this spectacular rocky remnant of long eroded mountains was had. Assynt is one of the most stunning environments in the UK – one which Steve has used since 2000 to run his regular canoe expeditions. The views over the myriad lochs and other nearby local peaks was fantastic – a day to savour.

If you’d like Steve’s support for your mountain ventures please get in touch on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 10th, 2024|Environment, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

The elusive Green Hair Streak

The Green Hair Streak (Callophrys rubi) is the UK’s only truly green butterfly. Whilst not yet endangered, it is not easy to find and tends to live in small colonies near its favourite food and larval plants. Mid April until the end of June is the best time to see Green Hair Streaks and, knowing that a small colony exists on a local hillside near where there is plenty of its favoured bilberry, Steve set out to see if he could find any. As luck would have it there were two of the tiny creatures flying and briefly landing, though despite following them through the vegetation for a long time, they never paused long enough to permit a good photograph (the image is from a previous encounter at the same place).

These butterflies are about the size of an adult’s thumbnail and blend in to their surroundings making them hard to spot. They always perch with their wings closed, which is when the green undersides to their wings become apparent. The name ‘Hair streak’ comes from the faint white line, or line of white dots on the green underwings, though this can vary significantly between individual animals. Several other British butterflies also have the hair streak marking and name: the Purple, Black, Brown and White Letter Hairstreaks.

If you are interested in learning more about natural history or would just enjoy a nature walk with information and insight into the surrounding environment, then Steve will be pleased to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or on 07796 213817.

By Steve|May 14th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Ermine in Newlands

Whilst out in Newlands recently we had the good fortune to have an ermine running along the hedgerow beside us, the first time we’d ever encountered a fully white coated stoat in the Lakes. Ermine actually refers to the dense white winter coat of the stoat (Mustela erminea), though not all stoats turn fully white in winter: those living in warmer climes may only partially change colour, or not change at all. Stoats are fearless predators with the ability to take prey much bigger than themselves – they can kill a rabbit with a bite to the back of the neck. The stoat is our second smallest mustelid; it has a black tip to its tail and has a bounding gate, which is a good way to differentiate it from the smaller weasel (the world’s smallest carnivore), which runs while remaining level and has no black tail tip. The mustelid family in the UK is also represented in the wild by badgers, otters, pine martens and polecats. American mink are the descendants of escapes from fur farms, whilst ferrets are domesticated, selectively bred polecats.

If you’d like to know more about the nature on your doorstep, Steve will be happy to help. He offers guided nature and mountain walks on which to explore and explain the environment around you. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 26th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Gone to the Dodds

Steve ventured out on what seemed likely to be the last day of Winter conditions as the weather turned to the West with impending storms from the Atlantic. With the wind speeds already very high and the wind chill severe, a walk from Thirlmere up to Sticks Pass and back over the three Dodds and Clough Head was the order of the day. Visibility was still excellent despite the mini-blizzard of spindrift blasting across the surface. Only a few competent and appropriately equipped folk were about in these challenging conditions.

Even in the Lake District, the difference between valley conditions and those experienced on the summits can be very significant – as was the case on this day. If you would like support to venture into such environments safely and with a very experienced guide, Steve will be pleased to help and advise. Call him on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 22nd, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

Blencathra in Winter

The recent snow and freezing temperatures led to the winter mountaineering gear being dusted down for a foray up Hallsfell Ridge and down Doddick Fell on Blencathra. A great walk with fabulous views was had in excellent conditions.

If you’d like support to take advantage of these fleeting winter mountain opportunities either in the Lakes or Scotland, Steve will be pleased to help. He can ensure that you have the appropriate equipment and, more importantly, know how and when to use it. He can be contacted on 07796 213817 or by email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 22nd, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

Mell Fell

Plunging temperatures encouraged an afternoon foray up both Great and Little Mell Fell. The image is from Little Mell Fell looking West towards Great Mell with Blencathra beyond. Interestingly, The Mell Fells and adjacent Gowbarrow are comprised of conglomerate from the late Devonian geological period (c375 mya). which lasted from approximately 420 million years ago until 360 million years ago. These are the only Devonian rocks in England and are a sedimentary rock formed from water transported alluvium in a desert environment.

If you are interested in broadening your knowledge of the outdoor environment – or would just like some support for your winter walking adventures, Steve will be pleased to help. Just get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817.

By Steve|January 16th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Out Foxed

Whilst out on a New Year’s eve bike ride, Steve encountered the Blencathra Foxhounds as he rode past Carrock Fell, along with a large group of people watching them from below. As he rode down the other side of the valley, the fox popped out of the hedge and ran down the road for several hundred metres in front of his bike. Presumably, the fox was not taking any chances that the hounds would obey the law and run right by, so had opted for the safety first approach of escaping unseen behind the foxhounds and their spectators.

Whilst Steve can’t promise personal encounters with foxes, he is happy to provide mountain and natural history days out in the Lakes and further afield. Call or email to discuss your interests on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 3rd, 2024|Environment, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

A punctuated walk

A warm early Autumn day found us on a quiet woodland walk. We came across a wild rose bush festooned with rose hips. It was also covered in butterflies enjoying the sugar from the hips as they split open to release their seeds. Whilst the majority of the butterflies were Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta), we did also spot a pair of Commas (Polygonia c-album) and managed to photograph them whilst perching. The Comma typically emerges in March to April and the brood emerges in June and July. There are two forms and the hutchinsoni form will, if the weather is suitably warm, have a second brood which emerges in August and September. The hutchinsoni form has more brightly coloured upper wings with paler underwings, though has the distinctive white comma mark on the underwing as with all of this species – hence the name. The butterfly in the image is a male, as identified by its more deeply indented, serrated wing edges and stronger markings.

If you are interested in discovering and understanding the nature on your doorstep, but would like some guidance and support, Steve will be very pleased to help. He runs all manner of natural history and environmental days and walks on demand as required. Get in touch to chat about your needs on 07796 213817 and at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off