Welcome to Holmes Away, my name is Darren and I'm from South Wales, UK. I love hiking & camping whenever and wherever I can. I've always loved the outdoors but have only been hiking regularly since 2020, so if you want to share my experiences and learn the basics along with me then you're welcome to join me!
I'll share my local hikes, wild camps, long distance walks and anything else I get up to with you as much as possible, please like, comment, subscribe and hit the bell button! 🔔
That path down off glyder fach is absolutely discusting aint it. Especially carrying camping kit. I done it earlier in the yr and said id never go down that path ever again 🤣 what a difference in weather you had on those two days lol. Its special when the views open up aint it. Awesome video
Such a beautiful morning to greet you for your effort! And the terrain looked otherworldly in the clearing mist. Stunning! Fantastic video, thank you for taking us with you.
@holmesaway every good channel needs merch..I'd buy a Pixies Cleavage hoodie no questions asked. On a serious note, Mic is sounding CRISP. Is it DJI? Also if you're ever on the lookout for a top quality steadycam/Gimbal I've had an absolute worldy of a deal from Temu of all places.
Just had mine delivered today. It was still listed at £250 but there was a 30% off code on the website so ithink i got a bargain. Looking forward to getting out in it.
Class tent mate, ive got the zephyros compact 1 and the helm compact 2. Thinking of selling the zeph and getting the helm 1, such good tents, as good as stuff 3 times the price. ATB 🙌
I’m quite a warm sleeper but it really depends how low the mercury goes. I’d be happy with a t shirt down to around -1 or 2 but I always have a pair of leggings in the bag anyway 👍🏻
I have the vango banshe 200, first time camping was on scafell pike in terrible conditions, wet and windy all day all night. Water from the tarn hitting you in the face. The banshee was bomb proof, didn’t even flinch. That’s what’s good about the smaller tents, less surface for the wind to hit.
brilliant helpful review. Thank you for your time. I notice that the vendors site now quotes this tent as being in v3 (2024) .. my questions, (anyone?): have they fixed any of Darren's negatives. I wear specs and always pop my specs into a side pocket so that I don't roll on them in the night ... as D says, it's so simple to add as long as users don't load it down with heavies that make the tub leak (common sense needed). I've read other reviews saying that they can't get the ridge tight .. Darren has solved this one - bravo!!!!!
I have had this for a couple years, only slept about a dozen nights in it though. I like it, fairly light and easy to put up, not much room but enough to fit in comfortably.
Thanks for the review. i don't trust Aluminium and I wouldn't trust the WHO who say it's safe for alzheimers, they have said alot of things were safe recently, if you know what I'm talking about (so many dead or health destroyed). For that reason, Ill get a windmaster or something with a titanium or steel pot
Good video, lad! I've looked at all sorts of tents, and I still keep thinking my OEX Phoxx 2 V2 can't be beaten! Price, functionality, quality and ease of pitching. The only negative is the weight, as a bikepacker 2.1kg is a little on the heavy side, but given the extra space I gain compared to my Phoxx , it's worth it! The Terra Nova is a good weight, but not without issues I'd struggle with when out for a week! I like this tent you're reviewing, but some of those issues you've shown would bug me, especially given it's price, more thought needed! ✌️
Lovely to see you both out again Darren. Disappointed with your eye spy and Rock Paper Scissors performance. Get some practice in and you might win next time. Congratulations with being monetised. This time next year we will be millionaires.
Thank you mate. We played for about half an hour and he made me look a fool to be fair, I think he must have been cheating! Only millionaires? You dream too small 🤣🤣
Great video, I'm off on that walk on Friday hopefully better weather than when me and the wife did pen y fan on Monday. She was not impressed 😉 Horizontal rain all the way along the ridge and upwards flying rain of Jacobs ladder 😂
What a character your son is, brilliant to see you building memories with him. I'm a new subscriber of yours and slowly catching up on your content. If your over the Rhondda area anytime get in touch. All the best Mally
Well done Dar. You've a wonderful relationship with your son and making some amazing memories. Great watching you discover all the places me and Gareth walked over the years. Keep it up. 💪
As a father and grandfather it is about the memories. Towards the end you think about where you are but where you've been and who was important to you. I look forward to more videos and maybe see your son grow into the outdoors.
I find they are pretty similar but the deluxe probably edges it. Especially in breezy conditions when the flame is very low thanks to its better wind protection 👍🏻
Bcb are used in the uk military, so shoud make a brew. Its what they were designed for. Or get the crusader stove, same applies most fuels can be used.
Great video! Vango are definitely the most underrated. People spend ridiculous money on gear these days and it's just not necessary for what most people will do with it. It's more about getting out than the gear. I actually love the challenge of doing it on less money.
I normally do three day,two night trips,and i always repacked my tent wet or not,in the same bag! I never even thought of putting my outer in a separate bag! You now have me thinking,can i get my gear into a 40-50 litre bag? Instead of my 65,my pack weight,without water is normally 10 kg,but now iam going rucksack shopping! Luckily my local shop (blacks) knows me,he will have a fit when i bring my gear in to try to fit it into a smaller bag,which tbf can be done easily i think. Thanks for the drybag tip! A sub from me 🤙
I find that with a bigger bag you tend to end up filling it for the sake of it sometimes. I use a 44 litre osprey talon normally for all my camps but I reckon a decent 35 litre would do me for summer stuff. I made the mistake of not taking 2 separate sacks on the coast to coast and it rained most of the way so drying the tent out was a nightmare. Thanks for the sub. Hope u enjoy watching more 👍🏻
I’m slowly getting though the content mate and I’m loving how relevant it is to normal guys just starting to get into the hobby. Also like how you are not being a gatekeeper on locations too. Thank you 💪🏼 Oh, what knife do you use?
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it, don’t judge me on the earlier stuff though! 😂 The knife is by morakniv, I’m not sure which exact one it is but I’ve had it for ages and it’s still as sharp as the day I bought it. It’s cheap as well so a great choice for a first knife 👌🏻👌🏻
My first tent was a WWII pup tent used in the 1950's. Cooking, eating and drinking gear was an old boy scout aluminum mess kit with water held in an old WWII canteen. Sleeping gear was army blanket with canvas on the ground. My pillow was my clothes rolled up around my shoes.
Mate, watching you smash up those Super noodles was painful! Great video BTW! Not been out wild camping from last year, only been to sites so far. This is inspiring me to get up the Mournes for an epic hike and camp!
