81 – 83 Graystones, Broom Fell and Lord’s Seat – Wear and Tear
The bag I carry the wheel in was never designed to be taken up mountains. It is not waterproof and the padding it came with was not deep enough to protect my back from the hardness of the wooden structure of the wheel. So in the early days I created a cocoon-like layer of upholstery foam to cushion my torso and the wheel. I also bought a waterproof rucksack cover for the times when I might be caught out in a shower – with the intention not to walk out in driving rain. Both have been invaluable.
The padding is going strong and only showing minor signs of scuffing and compression. It will probably see me up another 70 Wainwrights before it needs renewing.
The more significant wear and tear has been to the zip on the front pocket. It is not the stitching between the zip and the fabric of the bag that has parted company, but the teeth of the zip from the tape it is sewn onto. I fear this will be a very delicate operation to stitch between each tooth, but possible.
So here’s to my bag and wheel (which has had a good dose of oil) and to the battle scars it has accumulated together with a heck of a lot of mud, Oh and a little redecoration in the freezing wind on Graystones!