Jrjg

Of course, just remembering now some amplifier wiring... thick as my thumb. Wouldn't a thicker/thinner wire than originally intended affect the current as originally intended, therefore affect the sensor's readings? That is what I meant by delicate. JRJG

Some people lengthen the wire, using speaker wire or something similar. Nothing too thick as you may affect the currency going to and from the sensor, I would imagine it is quite a delicate item. Graffiti 's suggestion seems simpler and if it has worked then I don't see why you would need to do anything different. JRJG

Second night on the wall has been and gone, off there again tomorrow night. I headed up to the Lakes on Saturday (great weather... Not!) to attempt a couple of scrambles on the Thirlmere side of Helvellyn. Decided to go off script and climbed the most part of a Ghyll instead. Thoroughly enjoyed it, extremely challenging, lots of loose rock, lots of weak footholds/handholds that broke off with body weight, despite stamping on them first to check, I still dropped five foot at one point when a foothold that passed my primitive stamp test gave way. Had to divert and skirt around the Ghyll a couple of times due to huge 'steps' that I couldn't see a way up, or didn't want to even try, not without some protection anyway. Would be much better to try it when it: 1) isn't chucking it down with rain and blowing a hoolie. 2) there is less water coming down the Ghyll 3) going with a friend to give some piece of mind if something did go wrong. As it happened my usual climbing/walking companion was working. Despite not even seeing the grade 1/2/3 scrambles I set out for, I was quite satisfied with the scrambling up 'Dry Ghyll'. Having defeated a few sections that definitely felt more like a rock climb than a scramble. Once on top of Helvellyn the weather got dramatically worse, the dog couldn't walk in a straight line and I had to constantly lean 30° or so into the wind. My supposedly 'waterproof to 20k mm' Helly Hansen jacket was letting in once on top, I suspect the rain being driven into the jacket was the main cause. Leggings were no better, they both kept it out up the various small waterfalls and streams that I passed up/under/through however. Character building stuff. I intend to travel to the same place again in the near future, head there with a friend this time and ascend the scrambles originally planned. And also to collect my map and book that I left on the Kings Head Hotel bar! On a rock climbing note: the climbing shoes must of stretched ever so slightly, they are bearable for three hours at a time now, with only by big toes going slightly numb! Hoping to start lead climbing tomorrow evening. Something that I am told is a whole new experience, challenging the climber due to the knowledge that if you fall, you will fall to your highest point of protection... Should be fun! I'll make sure I'm well 'seated' in my harness. JRJG

I'd watch that. JRJG

For sale is an excellent condition (used half a dozen times) 70lb Century Grappling Dummy. http://www.centurymartialarts.com/mobi/training-bags/century-70-lb-grappling-dummy. See here for details. The dummy is a bit dusty as it has been sat in a garage for the past few months, has a couple of scuffs, apart from that it is as good as new. Postage is not possible (due to size and weight). But I would be willing to drive twenty minutes from Preston (Lancashire) to meet. Offers around £100. Many thanks JRJG

Vast majority is rubbish in my opinion. Hence why I watch next to nothing on the television. My television is used mainly as a radio, the screen turned off and the sound played via a Bose system. Each to their own though, if you're happy watching it - go for it. I have better things to do that sit down and watch television JRJG

Sounds as though it is starting to give up then. May well be driveable for many miles more yet. You will have to adapt your driving perhaps slightly, avoid low rev foot down scenarios (much better to drop a gear and put your foot down once you've reached 2.5/3k), it is that initial torque that challenges the clutch the most. Start putting some pennies aside for a new clutch and dmf. A standard Sachs setup get good reviews. I wouldn't bother uprating if you plan on sticking with just the remap, the above clutch kit should be good for another 80-100k miles. JRJG

Hmmm... Are you putting your foot to the floor from low down on the revs to make it slip, or is the clutch slipping constantly whilst in sixth gear? Have you tested it for slipping in second/third? JRJG

Good grief. I took mine out all together at around 110k, there was some choking of it, but nowhere near as much as your's! Probably not even half the amount. JRJG

How many miles is this? JRJG

@ColinD Had a great night on Tuesday, I had been practicing the double figure of eight stopper knot at work with an old piece of rope, so had half an idea as to what to do. My climbing friend (Let's call him The Climber) was kind enough to show us very patiently and thoroughly what the basics were. We were soon belaying one another and making our way up steady '5+' sections. Not that I am particularly interested in the grade side of things. Just that anything less than 5 seemed a bit too easy really. My friend had bought a fancy Arcteryx harness from Ebay that turned out to be too tight on his thighs, fits me perfect though so that's one less thing to worry about buying! The shoes were tight, my big and second toes were numb after thirty minutes or so, but not extremely painful, definitely bearable. I noticed how easy it is to get distracted whilst belaying, and end up leaving slack, when belaying for The Climber I had to ask him to slow down as I am not fluid enough in belaying just yet to keep up with his pace, he seemed climb at a phenomenal rate, at least compared to the two of us there for the first time, to be expected I suppose. We constantly asked him and re-asked him if our knots, carbs, ropes etc were correct and as they should be. All in all it was a successful evening, we're off again next Tuesday to do the same, rinse and repeat, get it as second nature. The Climber wants to take us to a lead climbing level before we get signed off, he seemed fairly happy with our progress after just two and a half hours. I will be glad once we're signed off, so that we can come and go as we please just the two of us and not have to hassle him and have him keep check on us. In reply to your climbing tips: I watched a couple of 'How to Rock Climb' videos before going, they echoed what you have said above, climb with your feet, almost try to forget about your hands, 'Silent Feet', and the most effective technique which I tried to employ was keeping my body (and therefore centre of gravity) close to the wall, turning my hips sideways so that I could be close to the wall. It was definitely easier than hanging 'square on' to the wall. Our technique will obviously take years to master, I'm not sure if we will stick at it as long as that, we're more interested in the rock work as I have said previously, but currently we are both mad keen to get to the wall and sink plenty of hours into improving our ability and technique. The Lead climbing wall sections do look very exciting, just the fact that you're placing your rope ahead of yourself rather than top roping, I imagine there is quite a bit of fear and anxiety surrounding it to begin with, that's a good few weeks off yet anyway. Planning a couple of full days walking with plenty of scrambling opportunities mixed among it all. Not planning on roping up for scrambles just yet, so if it does get a bit hairy then we'll perform a d tour and get back onto the trail higher up, we can always go back to it at a later date with ropes and a few slings to make some anchors if it is looking particularly dodgy. Good news is The Climber is wanting to do some mountaineering/scrambling/easy outdoor crag routes, so our walking duo may well become a trio. We have also had a couple of other "happy to take you somewhere local" type offers from climbers, friends and friends of friends that we had no idea climbed. The climbing community seem to be very friendly, helpful and welcoming folk. Lots still to read on UKC still, lots and lots in fact. JRJG

Can't say I've heard of the make, but I would suggest calling a VaG trade parts place and asking them their opinion of Fahren water pumps. I know that VW pay to take back water pumps (with a surcharge), to then destroy them. When I asked why as I thought surely they could be reconditioned, I was told it was to prevent quality standards slipping. JRJG

I have spoken to a friend who has been climbing indoors for a long time. He is going to tutor myself and a friend in the basics of indoor climbing, tying on, belaying, etc and then onto lead climbing later on. I have bought some rock shoes (the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I have ever bought). The reason for the sudden jump into indoor rock climbing is the rope work, also I imagine some climbing moves/techniques may well come in handy in scramble situations in the future. Off there this evening to make a start at it. Once we are reasonably confident and competent at rope work indoors we plan on joining a local climbing/mountaineering club to move things outdoors. I didn't want to turn up at a club and have no idea what was going on, expecting them to teach me everything necessary to be safe on an outdoor climb, hence the indoor climbing to begin with. I have also bought a 'Scrambles and Easy Climbs in the Lake District'. Some really great routes described and illustrated. Looking forward to moving into the grade two and three scramble territory. I was interested to see that Striding Edge, Sharp Edge, Jack Rake are listed as Grade 1 scrambles. I look forward to tackling grade two and three! JRJG

Great advice, sounds as though you have a plethora of experience and knowledge in the field, expect me to be picking your brains! I will be signing up to the UKC forum too, so should have my reading material cut out for the foreseeable future. Starting at 0200 to simulate the early starts needed for full ascent and descents in the Alps and beyond? Or starting early in order to complete a much longer route than normal? Regarding a guide: Definitely for the Matterhorn, after viewing footage of the variety of routes and reading how the majority of unguided climbers end up being airlifted off the mountain! Not as convinced for Mont Blanc though, considering how busy it can be, I'd be happier leaving a hundred yards and following the endless snake trail up the mountain! JRJG

Limited Slip Diff Bigger Injectors Bigger Turbo Water/Meth injection kit... Still on 16" wheels? If planning to go for 17" alloys you could always upgrade the front brakes, some more stopping power is always welcome, Brembo's from a Leon, or Tarox 6 pots/AP racing calipers. JRJG

Exactly that. Be careful prising them out, try and prise from a few different angles, so as not to snap any of the clips. There are a couple of really awkward metal ones that hold the centre vents in place, take care not to drop them as you remove the vent, they're a right faff to find behind the dashboard, and if left - rattle like you wouldn't believe. You will have a better idea when you remove the trim and see what I mean. Also remember to unplug the hazard light behind it before you remove it all the way, to ensure you don't snap/stretch it. JRJG

Indeed. Best to rule out cheap/free/easy options first though. Can't imagine what in the gearbox would cause a flapping noise though, it's generally crunching/grinding/whining. Was there any vibration coupled with the flapping noise? JRJG

That makes sense, I have been in similar scenarios before but only briefly, waiting for a member of the group to struggle and scramble up a steep section. I assume the wait gets longer and longer once you factor in ropes, harnesses etc and actual climbing as opposed to scrambling. Definitely. Do you know any of the practicalities of it? The driving, rendezvous' etc? JRJG

£146 or something around there, then £20 back for your old waterpump. Not exact figures but roughly.

A VaG trade parts seller is my place to go. Genuine parts but without the dealer premium. JRJG

Also: Would training in a gym with an altitude mask be a good way of simulating low oxygen conditions or not? If it is starving your body of oxygen then surely it is the next best thing to being up a mountain? I was reading recently about a gym that has a 'reduced oxygen count'. -15% or -20%...

Would definitely be interested in both the Yorkshire 3 peaks (whernside, Ingleborough and pennyghent (sp) and the 3 tops of the UK. And would have my own and walking friend names' down immediately. JRJG

I have thought about Kilimanjaro but I would much prefer some quieter less known peaks if I'm honest. I would much rather climb some of the top ten highest peaks in the world than Everest (not that it will ever happen that is). How many days did it take for you to summit Kili then? What temperature is it up there, I imagine it to be shorts and t shirt's at the bottom, then hats gloves etc at the top? I have read a bit about the Matterhorn being treacherous on the way back down. Some of the statistics for the percentage of people airlifted off the mountain without a guide compared to those with a guide were shocking. Hence a guide for the Matterhorn would be a necessity. Friends that climbed Mont Blanc did so without a guide, there was a couple in the group that were seasoned and very experienced mountaineers, great navigators. Although they said that they didn't particularly need a guide as it was that busy, they just followed the snake of people heading uphill. Don't worry, if someone asks we've never met and we have just bumped into one another Where is it you are planning that is 6k+ ? I have been to ~3500m in the Alps skiing before, can't remember which glacier or mountain rang it was on though, can't say I ever suffered from any altitude effects. However I am well aware that even though skiing/snowboarding can get tough on the legs, it is a walk in the park compared to climbing up a mountain. Not to mention the fact that you're not doing any work going downhill. Then sitting one a bench/in a cable car to do the hard work uphill. JRJG

Gives me a good idea as to how demanding the climb is. I knew the Matterhorn was a definite guide only kind of climb. Easy to see why after reading that.

Some great reading material there, great tips (that I will be sure to try out), great pics and a very kind offer of 'showing us the ropes', pun intended. I wouldn't want to be completely ignorant to it all so I will at least strive to get some basics learnt and practiced before taking you up on your offer. A day in the Lakes/Peak district (wherever would be best for yourself) practising some low level climbing with yourself as a guide/overseer would be brilliant. I will have a look on EBay for those books and get them bought and read. Many thanks for such a thorough and in depth response. I shall be in touch. JRJ