Trail Testers

Outdoors Gear Reviews

Video Reviews

Hilleberg Akto One Person Tent 32200 Views

Satmap Active 10 Plus GPS 30200 Views

GoSystem Mini Gas Stove 17350 Views

Exped Downmat 9 Sleeping Pad 17850 Views

Aarn Natural Balance Bodyack 2740 Views

Marmot Strato Jacket 1450 Views

Scarpa Manta Winter Boots 7150 Views

Primus Eta Packlite Light Weight Stove 6150 Views

Editor’s Choice

Look out for these reviews over the coming weeks

McMurdo PLB Bought in UK Saves Hill Walker in New Zealand

We test ready high energy meals and energy bars from Drytech Norway, Mountain House, Expedition Foods, Wayfarer and Nine Bar

We test base layers, mid layers, hard shells and waterproofs, socks and gloves from Helly Hansen, Paramo, Montane, Marmot, Keela, Teko, Kerry, Sealskinz, Terra Nova, Green Fibres, Maggies Organics

We test boots from Brasher, AKU, Keen and Scarpa here in the Welsh Mountains and see how they perform day after day slogging across wet and muddy trails, crossing slippery scree and scrambling up those hills

We test tents, rucksacks, multi tools, stoves, sleeping bags, pads and water filters from MSR, Terra Nova, Western Mountaineering, Nanok, Victorinox, Osprey, Marmot, Drink Safe, Katadyn, Totto, Aarn

Craghoppers Kiwi Winter Trousers

Marmot Spire Hard Shell

Helly Hansen Pro Stretch Fleece

Woolpower Merino Mid Layers

Satmap Active 10 Plus GPS

Baffin Mountain Arctic Boot

Keen Oregon PCT 3 Season Boot

AKU Trekker Lite Hill Walking Boot

Scarpa Manta GSB 4 Season Boot

Western Mountaineering Puma MF

Drink Safe Systems Travel Tap

MSR EXO2 Titanium Cook Set

Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink

Omnia Stove Top Oven

Montane North Star Down Jacket

McMurdo Fast Find PLB activation results in rescue of injured Briton from New Zealand Mountain

A British man has been successfully rescued from the wilderness of the Kahurangi National Park in New Zealand after activating his McMurdo Fast Find Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

61 year old Chris Painter injured his knee during a ten day fishing trip and being alone and unable to move, was in desperate need of help. Luckily Mr Painter, who had emigrated to New Zealand from Ilkley, West Yorkshire eight years ago was carrying a PLB, which he had purchased in the UK ten years previously. With no mobile phone signal available he took the decision to activate the device.

The PLB, a Fast Find Plus from leading emergency distress beacon manufacturer McMurdo, alerted the emergency services in Falmouth, 11,000 miles away

where the device had been registered, using the global 406 MHz search and rescue satellite communication system, COSPAS SARSAT*. In turn they contacted their rescue colleagues in New Zealand to coordinate Mr Painter’s rescue.