Topic: Rituals (Read 7141 times)

Ed · « **on:** August 21, 2012 »

A topic which has came up a few times recently is the topic of rituals we all have when it comes to our outdoor activities, our gear, getting prepared for a trip out, or cleaning up afterward.

I was wondering, for you guys what are your rituals - the things you are quite obsessive and particular about, which you do the same way every time? Something others might look at and deem excessively meticulous or over the top.

Mourneman has his batcave with gear all neatly arranged. I wonder does he play the batman theme on his ipad while he gets dressed ;-)

I'm pretty particular about cleaning my gear.

When it comes to boots my ritual is as follows:

**********

Remove footbeds and laces

Beat together outside

Rinse under outdoor tap

Bring upstairs to the shower

Set temp to 20 degrees.

Rinse boots all over with water 2-3 times

Scrub with a sponge, repeatedly rinsing out sponge, rinse boot after each scrub - do each boot in this way twice

Fill inside of boot with water, tip out. Repeat.

Wet out entire surface of boot

Pour liquid soap onto sponge generously, squeeze it to lather up

Cover entire boot surface and inside of boot in soapy lather

Scrub outside of boot vigorously, rinsing sponge often. Repeat until most of soap is gone

Rinse outside of boot.

Rinse sponge.

Scrub inside of boot.

Fill with water - tip out - x2

Re lather and repeat the above

Wash laces

Scrub superfeet insoles with liquid soap and sponge / old toothbrush

Stuff boots with each end of a raggy towel and leave to air dry

When half dry liberally apply DWR reproofer

Once fully dry, brush with suede brush to restore proper suede texture

Polish toe rands with kiwi polish.

*******

A little excessive perhaps.

I also wash my coat, waterproofs with liquid soap after every camp or every other walk - and re-proof the coat every 3 washes. The over-regular reproofing is due to inevitably missing parts - hopefully not missing the same part for too many consecutive proofings - thereby getting a more complete cover.

So - anything any of you guys are particuarly obsessive about when it comes to your hobbies?

A.

Shan Doan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2012 »

That’s quite a regime for sure! Fastidious sums it up. A, you put me to shame.

I’ve never worn gear in the mountains that was worth looking after in that way, but these days boots really do matter to me. I’m not hardcore like some I admire here, but I’ve been out in some really challenging weather over the decades. I get out and up mainly to shoot amateur images, still and video.

In my 30s I usually wore ex-army stuff (and even long johns!) because it was cheap and bought locally. The price of badged stuff is eye-popping. No wonder it’s a $ billion global industry. But, depending on what we do and how we need to do it, some of it is definitely necessary – even poles sometimes!

But I AM very fussy about my camera gear rituals before heading out – particularly the lenses. I won’t break it all down here ‘cause it’s boring. Other dedicated shooters here will know what I mean!

Mourneman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2012 »

flip me ED you're toilet must be really clean

, I'am sorta "clean it tomorrow type fella",usually i do as well,but i'am a wee bit fussy over where my kit is kept,( BAT-CAVE)

twentyclicks · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2012 »

I like to put my left shoe on first...it just feels better. I think it's cultural conditioning as most things go from left to right. I'm not so concerned what order they come off, or what state they're in

Ed · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2012 »

Quote from: twentyclicks on August 21, 2012

I like to put my left shoe on first...it just feels better. I think it's cultural conditioning as most things go from left to right. I'm not so concerned what order they come off, or what state they're in

That's an interesting one!
I always tend to put my right foot in first, but I think that's just because I'm right footed.

FlapJack · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2012 »

I've never washed to inside of my boots, is this something everyone does?

Ed · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2012 »

Quote from: FlapJack on August 21, 2012

I've never washed to inside of my boots, is this something everyone does?

I don't know many people who do, but it keeps mould / fungus at bay - while also preventing salt buildup in the lining which can eventually cause failure.

I sometimes spray the inside with nano silver - but not all the time

Ed · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2012 »

In my head I picture MourneMan playing this while he gathers up his gear for a bit of an adventure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0wk88rjYS8&feature=related

Then kicking back in the ice bath after a hard day of beating the **ite out of litterers

Kayakgirl · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2012 »

I've a few pairs of boots you can clean..

I like to put my left contact lense in first before I put my right one in..
Ooh and I like my stuff to be colour coordinated..

Oisín · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2012 »

I don't know the point in which routine becomes ritual, but I certainly do a few things the same way every time.

I only ever carry 4 plastic cards with me while outdoors. Debit Card, Photographic I.D, Donor Card, Contact Card (with ICE numbers etc on it)

Get batteries fully charged the night before, and have enough memory cards with me.

Make sure I have all the items from my layering system.

I'll post more if I can remember them.

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: Rituals (Read 7141 times)

Ed

Rituals

Shan Doan

Re: Rituals

Mourneman

Re: Rituals

twentyclicks

Re: Rituals

Ed

Re: Rituals

FlapJack

Re: Rituals

Ed

Re: Rituals

Ed

Re: Rituals

Kayakgirl

Re: Rituals

Oisín

Re: Rituals

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics