World Challenge

Chesham Grammar Team 2 in Southern Tanzania, 2 treks, a project in a primary school, a safari and R+R at a beach on the Indian Ocean, camping in tents throughout. Here are the 'letterbox crops' I used for my report, will upload full pics in due course. Thanks for a great trip, 7 hours on a coach without DVT socks, giz.

Sisi Kwa Sisi

Nicko and Japhet provided guiding well above and beyond the call of duty – arranged all transport, patiently guided us on food missions including markets and wholesome local cafes. Late evening sessions round the fire drinking coffee and discussing everything from culture to the cosmos, poultry to politics were punctuated by deep belly laughs as I remarked that our sky tracked south rather than north like theirs.

Departure

All shiny at Heathrow

Field-test 2 for Tanzania

Whilst Jenny is leading a World Challenge expedition to the Tatras mountains in Poland, I'll be in Africa leading 15 students with 2 teachers from Chesham Grammar, also for World Challenge.

The month-long trip includes two treks, a project in a primary school and a safari. We camp nearly every night and carry our own gear on trek (no porters but we have to hire an armed guide in case of rogue elephants).

I lugged my kit up to Battersby Moor to see if it needs fine-tuning.

The tarp/inner combo is luxurious for solo camping and will provide shelter for group cooking in foul weather (no cooking in tent porches allowed).

I will be living off the Caldera Cone and will write a review when I get back.

I have been scouring Beyond Backpacking to remind me of Ray's wisdom, ultralight backpacking is not about the gear you buy but what you leave behind. Anyway haven't had a weigh-off yet but need to be sub 20kg including 30m rope.

Field-testing kit for Tanzania

Nipped over the garden fence to try the Golite Shangri La 1 Nest which I hope to use a mozzy-net in the hostel in Dar es Salaam when we arrive, as well an inner for my tarp when we camp.

Found that it needs to be pitched taut on the height to keep the mesh away from your face to protect you from nocturnal gnashers.