76 He has a Haglöfs Spitz 2 waterproof jacket for wearing in the cold or on mountain tops, plus Berghaus Paclite leggings, an additional outer shell. “In cold conditions, I’d also wear a woolly Mammut fleece cap, and a buff from Mammut or Zermatt to cover my face and neck. The buff makes a huge difference in the cold. All these layers mean I never get soaked in the rain. Only my feet can get soaked. I also use lightweight gloves by Mountain Hardwear and by Rab. I once lost a glove on Iveragh and had to purchase work gloves in Cahersiveen, because you depend on every item of your gear. If things go wrong, you adapt. “On evenings at camp, I wear a light T-shirt, OMM racepants and an extra layer when cooking, a lightweight down jacket from TK Maxx,” says Aidan. Does he wash his clothes? “I don't have to,” he says, “because I have two sets, and I will get to change them anyway every two to four days when I overnight in pre-booked accommodation and pick up the parcels I, or my wife Emily, posted to my B&B or hostel.” I dare not ask how he washes himself, but he volunteers some pertinent information. “I carry three towels: a J Cloth to clean the cooking pot, and two super-light quick-dry towels, one for my feet, the other to dry my face and body.” He shows me the bigger of the two, made by MSR. It is barely the size of an A3 sheet of paper and almost as thin. “I bring a toothbrush, a mini-tube of toothpaste and a toothpick, but no comb; I cut my hair short before I set off.” Luckily for him, he has a thick head of hair and doesn’t have to worry about sunburn to his scalp, though he does apply sunscreen to exposed skin. Pictured this page: Spot gen3 satellite tracker for keeping in touch with family when out of phone coverage. Photo: Aidan Ennis MOUNTAIN LOG HIKER EXTRAORDINAIRE
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