Mercian Mountaineering Club

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My beloved orange bicycle, a gift from my parents for my 15th birthday. I can probably count on my fingers the number of times it's been cleaned or the chain has been oiled, and it's had new tyres once. Despite my non-existent maintenance, it just keeps going and rides like a dream!!! Because it looks pretty rough, I never worry about it getting stolen, which is good because the lock on it is even older; I've had that since I was 8!

I don't think I could even ride a bike when I was eight.

When I started climbing I was told by someone that cams aren’t needed until you get in to the E-grades. F*ck that! I wanted as much ammo as I can throw at my Vdiffs and severes. So I bought a set of 3 cams. The purple one, being the biggest, didn’t see nearly as much action as his two smaller siblings. After a while I noticed a trend. I seemed to find a good placement for him only when I was absolutely desperate for gear, and then (and only then) would I slot him in to a bomber crack. Behold, my faithful purple cam earned the name ‘The Purple Cam of Desperation”. Friends have climbed with him and complained that they couldn’t find a good placement, to which I retort “well things just weren’t that desperate were they!”.

He is pictured here along side two other pieces of gear of mine that have put in such good service that they merited a name. To the left is “The (Red) Baron”, the biggest of all my hexes, and on the right is “Sir Sidney The Steadfast”, my most placed offset from a relatively unknown Czech manufacturer named Kouba. "Robin", my faithful small red hex is missing in action, presumed dead, after vanishing into thin air.

Here is my oldest item of outdoor clothing
Many times did these boots keep my feet dry during treacherous and sketchy conditions (the streets of Grimsby are pretty treacherous and sketchy). They kept my ankles and toes warm ready to jump in the next big puddle with gusto (or so my mum tells me).
Cherished as they were from my parents who kindly indulged me in my childhood obsession of 101 dalmatians, and as they are a great example of the wonderful clothes our parents bought for us as children, and we look back on with wonder.

Cute Dalmatians boots Becky!

My item has to be my jetboil which I've had for over 10 years now. I first purchased it when I was in the army reserves, to replace the hexi cookers & hexamine fuel tablets that were given in our ration packs (which let off toxic smelling fumes when ignited!)

I felt my jetboil was more convenient and just a quick/easy way to cook/boil water. It's also lightweight and has been used many times on my camping adventures after the military too

Cute boots.

Bought a set of Ortleib panniers in 2003.

Their tough dry-bag like construction means they are perfect if you get caught in the rain. Done a few cycle tours with them, and have used them more frequently for my shopping.

Still as good as new.