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Baz Roberts - Outdoor
Re-use, repair and recycle;
a way out of recession
Columnist and adventurer Barry Roberts looks at a positive way out of
recession that might help us all look at things differently…
T
he value of the pound against the metal). Whilst we’re dealing with sharp things
Euro, dollar and most other major we may as well discuss how to sharpen and
currencies has hit rock bottom. wax skis and re-gluing touring skins, Then it’s
Unemployment is rising. Stock prices on to bikes; how to perform a basic service,
have crashed. Pension funds look ropey. change brake blocks and cables, chain
Saving rates are dismal; even Premium maintenance and repair, greasing and oiling.
Bonds look like a poor bet. House prices I’d get an expert in to discuss climbing ropes,
have slumped. It’s all doom and gloom. harnesses, helmets and hardware; how to
Or is it? Could there be silver, or even a clean gear, how to spot dangerous wear and
copper lining to this very dark cloud? Is tear and when to retire stuff. If time
there light at the end of what feels like a permitted I’d also like to discuss stove
very dark tunnel? maintenance (a personal favourite).
Maybe the prevailing conditions will serve I’d hope to attract not only gear freaks, but
to reinforce our appreciation of our individual others who just lack a bit of confidence and
places in the global village and the knowledge in how to look after their own
interconnectedness that increasingly binds us equipment without resorting to paying a shop
together; financially, environmentally and technician to do it or worst still, neglecting
socially. If so, what might that mean for our their kit to the point where it becomes
behaviour? Will we increasingly “act locally, uneconomical to repair and has to be
think globally”. Will “fair trade” buying replaced. I’d encourage students to bring all
become more meaningful than a snappy guilt- the outdoor kit they no longer want with
ridden label? Will consumers increasingly them and we’d practice all these new skills
“reuse, repair and recycle”? and service what was salvageable and donate
it to a worthy youth group, ski club or porter
A Cumbria-based company that specialised in the repair of technical protection group. I’d go so far as to guarantee that students will quickly
outdoor clothing and equipment recently went bust. They were outstanding recoup the modest course fee. We’d drink some real ale in the evening and
at what they did. They once repaired my favourite pair of salopettes that have an “open mic night” (maximum 5 slides each to tell a travel or
were sliced up around the ankles from skiing (bad technique I know). They adventure story). After, we’d keep in touch via a new Facebook group and
unstitched the damaged panels and replaced them with thicker Cordura build a community of outdoor people willing to share their top repair tips.
ones and returned them to me as good as new – if not more fit for purpose
– for £15. I don’t know why they went under but I expect that not enough Maybe this course will engender a greater sense of independence too. My
people knew about what magic repair work they did. students will organise more adventures themselves and not through guide
bureaus or expedition companies. The premiums they’ll save will fund even
I’ve been running a broad range of commercial outdoor-related courses more adventures or the replacement of genuinely worn out kit. As a frugal
for 20 years (ski courses, expeditions and medical courses) and I’m thinking mentality really takes hold, those who would normally stay in a hotel for
of adding a new course to my portfolio; “How to fix and service all your their Scottish winter walking will book a B&B. Those who use B&B’s in the
outdoor toys”. I could easily fill a dark winter weekend with fascinating Lake District will use youth hostels (no daily chores any more!). Those who
practical topics for the multi-sport outdoor aficionado. I’d start with the normally hostel will camp. You get the trend.
basics, like how to clean and re-proof your Gore-tex clothing and shoes.
Then we’d move on to making minor fabric repairs and sewing 101. It’s Reuse, repair and recycle could just be the mantra that helps us all climb
easy; I made my own belts, stuff sacs, a rucksack, gaiters and climbing out of the current financial abyss and reduce our impact on the environment
breeches before I was 20. Then we’d look at sharpening ice axes and without curbing our time in the hills. That would make me feel good at a
crampons (by hand, never with a grinder which ruins the temper of the time of great fiscal unease.
14 SGB OUTDOOR JANUARY 2009
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