UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => equipment => Topic started by: Danny on December 06, 2022, 09:51:35 am
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Recently I've been using a paddle board to scope out potential here in the South West. If I find decent rock I'll typically look for a land based approach for future reference.
Depending on venue, it would often be more convenient (and fun) to take a couple of pads along on the board instead. Ideally lashed to the deck, but I guess towing would also work.
Google has so far drawn a blank on what I think I want for this: a dry bag which is big enough to fit a pad inside.
Failing that, a massive plastic bag or tarp may do, depending on sea state/acceptable pad wetness.
Do dry bags exist at the right size? If not, what other creative options might I have?
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Don't think dry bags go that big, or if they did, they would be horrifically spenny. I've made a waterproof bag using cut up heavy duty rubble bags and duct tape which was ok for keep it dry (for stashing, guilty), but not sure it would survive a dunking.
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Expected as much! I reckon some of the roof bags you can buy for cars may almost work—but I don't think many are proper waterproof.
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No, not for keeping things bone dry. Rubble bags are cheap as chips, and can be cut and stuck to suit.
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You could tape some polythene sheets (https://www.screwfix.com/p/dmp-heavy-duty-polythene-sheet-clear-620ga-4-x-3m/20738)around them. You would have to retape every use but would be reasonable cheap.
Also something from Polybags (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/polythene-chair-cover_p1649.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7bucBhCeARIsAIOwr-8u1tJmDdOFSUrD6QINu6xe_8NfeNKnIOWA_nGEtJDC-FeJ5uz-nJMaAhbfEALw_wcB) might do the trick. Again, not particularly hardwearing but at least waterproof. Extra large. (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/extra-large-clear-polythene-bag_p62.htm)
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If you went somewhere like DFS or Bensons for beds, I bet they have skips full of the heavy duty polythene sheeting that sofas and mattresses come wrapped in out the back.
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Recently I've been using a paddle board to scope out potential here in the South West. If I find decent rock I'll typically look for a land based approach for future reference.
I discovered 3 spots on the coast doing this last year. One got some good development, one is disappointingly hard, and one i have not actually had a closer look at yet.
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Great thanks. These are pretty much what new pads come in!
You could tape some polythene sheets (https://www.screwfix.com/p/dmp-heavy-duty-polythene-sheet-clear-620ga-4-x-3m/20738)around them. You would have to retape every use but would be reasonable cheap.
Also something from Polybags (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/polythene-chair-cover_p1649.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7bucBhCeARIsAIOwr-8u1tJmDdOFSUrD6QINu6xe_8NfeNKnIOWA_nGEtJDC-FeJ5uz-nJMaAhbfEALw_wcB) might do the trick. Again, not particularly hardwearing but at least waterproof. Extra large. (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/extra-large-clear-polythene-bag_p62.htm)
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Recently I've been using a paddle board to scope out potential here in the South West. If I find decent rock I'll typically look for a land based approach for future reference.
I discovered 3 spots on the coast doing this last year. One got some good development, one is disappointingly hard, and one i have not actually had a closer look at yet.
Nice. It's great fun and has the added benefit of avoiding vertical grass/spikey shit/death choss approaches.
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And lessens your chances of accidentally dropping expensive photographic equipment from height into a shallow rockpool.
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If you can find someone who does pad repairs etc then they might be able to make them bespoke sizes.
I can’t remember why I wanted one, but I once asked a friend who was a machinist for Alpkit if he could make me one to fit a pad in and he said it would be pretty easy. Never ended up getting one though.
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If not, what other creative options might I have?
I made a packraft from a kit provided by these guys https://iron-raft.co.uk/ which is awesome and I've had lots of adventures in it.
The material is TPU coated nylon (air tight/waterproof) and you make simple seams by ironing sections together. They sell offcuts of the material and also by the metre. I bought a couple of extra metres and made a spraydeck and considering making a bikepacking frame bag from the same.
I reckon you could make a good waterproof pad bag using this approach.
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I like the idea of making the pads into wee rafts and towing them along behind. Dry bag back pack and good to go.
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Is it only me who thought this was going to be about dry bags to protect stashed pads from the weather and roving rodents??
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If not, what other creative options might I have?
This looks potentially useful! Thanks.
I made a packraft from a kit provided by these guys https://iron-raft.co.uk/ which is awesome and I've had lots of adventures in it.
The material is TPU coated nylon (air tight/waterproof) and you make simple seams by ironing sections together. They sell offcuts of the material and also by the metre. I bought a couple of extra metres and made a spraydeck and considering making a bikepacking frame bag from the same.
I reckon you could make a good waterproof pad bag using this approach.
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Is it only me who thought this was going to be about dry bags to protect stashed pads from the weather and roving rodents??
SA Chris: guilty!
I'm not really paying much attention to the other thread. I stash pads all the time. Often epic approaches, mostly bouldering alone, and mostly at new venues, or places no one ever visits.
A few months ago I was hauling a 3 pad stack down a scree slope approach when I started to slide. With a high centre of gravity, the pads rotated in front of me and they nearly ended up throwing me down the slope. I proper tweaked my back trying to prevent this. In the end I had to leave all my pads stashed at the bottom as I could barely walk back up unloaded.
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You could tape some polythene sheets (https://www.screwfix.com/p/dmp-heavy-duty-polythene-sheet-clear-620ga-4-x-3m/20738)around them. You would have to retape every use but would be reasonable cheap.
Also something from Polybags (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/polythene-chair-cover_p1649.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7bucBhCeARIsAIOwr-8u1tJmDdOFSUrD6QINu6xe_8NfeNKnIOWA_nGEtJDC-FeJ5uz-nJMaAhbfEALw_wcB) might do the trick. Again, not particularly hardwearing but at least waterproof. Extra large. (https://www.polybags.co.uk/shop/extra-large-clear-polythene-bag_p62.htm)
Looks like they come in packs of ~50! I've requested a free sample, which may be all I need.
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Cheap orange survival bag.
Have used as a makeshift sledge. Lethal.
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At a previous job they used to buy big very heavy duty bags to go over pallets to keep them dry outside prior to dispatch. (With a heat gun they could be shunk tight and much fun was had with the massive heat /flame gun we had for this). They were massive so you could easily fit a pad inside or about 10 and you would only have to close one side to close. However sealing the last side to be waterproof would be difficult so I could image stopping water seeping in and everything getting very wet or sinking quickly being difficult.
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Dunno if ebay links work.. double size survival bags may do it. These are massive, can fit an 8x4 ply sheet in.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392996640257?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=392996640257&targetid=1404115579173&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006854&poi=&campaignid=17218284410&mkgroupid=142217514411&rlsatarget=pla-1404115579173&abcId=9300867&merchantid=6995734&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhevGtMrq-wIVQuztCh3WzgSFEAQYESABEgLzXvD_BwE
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Might freak SaR out if you leave it lying about though.
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True yep :) Someone towing and stashing a cargo may freak out more than s&r in some coastal areas. :blink:
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EB do a pad cover which is similar to a rucksack cover. Closes off most of the pad so would at least prevent splashes from doing much provided the hole faces upwards. Could be worth considering? (https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/eb-pad-cover-crash-pad/)