Dan Middleton - BMC - Live on UKC

5th August, 2010

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Dan Middleton - BMC Technical Officer © Dan Middleton Collection — Dan Middleton - BMC Technical Officer
© Dan Middleton Collection

Dan Middleton is the BMC Technical Officer. He knows all about gear. How it works, how it breaks and how it is made.

Dan is going live on the UKC Forums on Monday the 9th of August (that's next week!) to answer your questions on anything gear related.

Dan's expertise covers all technical climbing gear and also bolts, so if you want to know how to place them - or even how to take them out - he's your man.

Dan has been climbing for many years and before working at the BMC he worked in outdoor retail and also at Lyon Equipment, the distributor for Petzl, La Sportiva and several other brands.

Dan will be going live on the UKC Forums in this Forum Thread between the hours of 9 and 5. You are of course welcome to ask Dan questions outside of those times, and he'll do his best to respond either on the forum or via email.

You can read about who is who at the BMC on their BMC Staff Page.

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Comments

alex

9 Aug, 2010

Hi Dan Can you tell me a little more about GPSs? I'm thinking of getting one for walking - what should I look out for?

Dan Middleton, BMC

9 Aug, 2010

There will be an article on GPS in the next issue of Summit (you should know being the editor) It's best to decide how you are going to use the GPS. If you intend to navigate using a map and compass, with the GPS for back up, emergencies and confirmation of your position, then look for a basic weatherproof unit. If you plan to navigate using the GPS, with the map and compass kept in your pack as a backup, then you'll need one with a large screen into which you can load the appropriate maps. Good battery life and software for loading routes in via you PC are also useful if you going to do this.

Jack Geldard

9 Aug, 2010

Hi Dan, Thanks for coming on the forums. I have a question, although I am not sure if it is your area. I have been looking at the Steripen water treatment thing - as boiling or iodine treatment is a bit of a pain. I was just thinking of using it when travelling abroad, but read recently that UK mountain streams might not be safe to drink. I have been drinking them all my life with no ill effect <ahem - watch it!> and just wondered if you knew anything about that sort of thing? Steripen review here: http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=1131 Jack

Gazlynn

9 Aug, 2010

Hi Dan Could you please solve a problem that I have when winter camping in Scotland. I have a good sleeping bag that is rated to comfy at -18 and a thermarest 4 and a Vaude tent (not 4 season). I feel very cold from the ground up. Could you give me a solution to stop this from happening? cheers Gareth

Dan Middleton, BMC

9 Aug, 2010

Hi Jack, I've always done the same as you - my rule is only drink water high up, that's fast running. But it's always a risk, so something like this might be worth considering. As far as the technology goes, I can't claim to be any expert on this. All the different methods (micro filters, chemicals, UV) have their pro's and con's. This particular method won't filter out particulate contamination, toxic material etc. The water needs to be clear and without colour, otherwise UV doesn't work very well. But, for disinfecting clear mountain stream water, it looks like a good lightweight option.

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