Enduro Plus Hydration Pack Review

I've used the great looking Enduro Plus Hydration Pack from The North Face for my last two ultras. It only arrived two days before the Lakeland 100 where it did a great job through 38 hours of effort. I then took it to Chamonix for the 60 mile CCC where it again behaved flawlessly.

It's a very short and squat design that sits low on my back and does look a bit strange when fully laden. However it is incredibly comfortable and I've had no issues with chafage or the pack bouncing. My back bears permanent scars from racing with packs with a longer back length but in 165 miles of racing in extremes of heat and 'dampness' I've not had a single problem.

Finishing a soggy Lakeland 100 with the low sitting Enduro Plus under my waterproof

I like my comforts so had it stashed pretty full for both races but with a bit of work its 9.5 litres should accommodate a very lightweight mountain marathon set up. its just a wee bit small for working in the mountains (bothy bag, first aid kit, spare jacket etc) but I'm finding it ideal for most of my own running and cycling adventures 

For me the Boa anti slosh tightening system to secure and compress the water bladder worked as it should but solves a problem that doesn't really exist. Certainly the water bouncing and sloshing about is not something I've ever worried about in any other pack as expelling the air before sealing the reservoir also does a pretty good job. The wire and dial system adds weight and complexity and I had a few issues on the Lakeland 100 when with cold and wet hands kit was snagging on the exposed wires.

I used the mesh pocket on the back for a water bottle on the Lakeland 100 and for my windproof on the CCC and it worked very well being easy to locate with a bit of practice. I find the side pockets on some race packs, which are placed up towards your arm pits, rub against my arms when I'm running but are awkwardly placed when trying to grab a drink or replace your bottle. Placing this feature on the back of the pack makes far more sense ergonomically. On this pack some form of closure would be useful for when carrying gloves, arm warmers etc and a second staggered holder would also be an interesting development.

The included water bladder was very good with a two litre capacity and a large opening. The valve was about average in terms of water flow but it didn't feel like hard work to suck even when working hard and the nifty little magnetic holder for the tube is a great innovation and worked incredibly well. If it's a faff to drink while racing then you won't so little design features like this work incredibly well in the real world. I'm not usually a fan of racing in the heat but coped surprisingly well on the first day of the CCC remaining well hydrated throughout which I can probably attribute to this pack.

The website mentions stash pockets on the chest harness but I think they meant on the waist belt which features two spacious pockets. The lightweight floating harness did get twisted when putting the bag on but once everything was secured then the pockets were perfectly positioned and a pretty good size. An internal loop in th epockets for clipping compasses / GPS would be a welcome development.

The fashion is currently very much for race vests but if you are looking to carry a bit more equipment and like a more traditional pack with some very modern features then the Enduro Plus is certainly worth a look.

Thoughts on the CCC - Kim Collison

Adventure racer Kim Collison (@CollisonKim) is another newcomer to the UTMB event.  A third place in an un-recceed 2013 Fellsman means he's going to be quick over the CCC course. Unfortunately illness stopped his attempt on the Lakeland 100 while at the front of a strong field but a recent good showing in the English Fell Running Championship counter at Turners Landscape showed a welcome return to form.

Why do you run ultras?
I really enjoy challenges which stretch me and the feeling you get from overcoming these challenges.

Can you give us a quick overview of your running history / ultras etc?
Initially I ran a lot as a kid going to a running club and competing in cross countries and road races. This drifted away through university and travels abroad. After settling back in the UK in 2008 I started to run, bike, paddle again. I started to get into orienteering, adventure racing and fell running.  My first foray into ultra running was the completion of a Bob Graham round in 2009 following in my fathers footsteps but with injury following soon after ultra running did not feature again until this year really. Instead my focus was changed towards Expedition adventure racing competing in races in the Lakes 2010, South Africa 2011 and finally in 2012 going to the World Championships in France with Team Mountain Hardwear coming 15th. 2012 was also a good season for me in fell running terms placing in the top 10 in the English Championship series. In 2013 the AR World Championships is still a priority but with the race not until December I wanted to target some personal ultra challenges this summer. This included the Lakeland 100 and the CCC. In preparation for my debut 100 miler, I have participated in several other mountain ultras building up to July. In December Tour de Helvellyn 38 miles, March Wurthering Hike 32 miles, April Dawn to Dusk 42 miles, April Fellsmen 61 miles.  

Do you know the route at all? Are you planning to recce it before the big day or just enjoy what comes?
I will have to just enjoy the course as it comes with little if no time to recce the course, this sometimes can add to the adventure, with the discovery of the unknown.

How has training being going? Can you give us a sample of your program?
Training went well early season getting in some big 100 mile weeks and more recently closer to 60 mile weeks. After a couple of races in June I've struggled with some muscle fatigue and a cold and my form has faltered a little but with some rest I feel rejuvenated and have bounce in my step ready for the Lakeland 100. I will rest for a week after the 100 and then get three 60/70 mile weeks, work dependent before resting for the CCC. 

What's the key bits of your equipment. Are you a fan of poles?

Key equipment for me is a MHW Blazer waterproof, really light and breathable and the MHW Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket, super light, warm and can use in the wet. A Petzl Nao great lighting for running through the night. Will be using poles as they are great assistance on those ascents, just hope I can learn to use them effectively.

Cushioned or natural running shoes?
I believe in natural running and used barefoot running to come back from injury and to work on technique but I will be wearing a shoe with a little bit of cushioning with low differential and lightweight. Still trying to maintain a natural style.

Any thoughts on nutrition. What are your secret ingredients?

I try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg, fish,  good fats and a reduction in simple carbs, not quite paleo but towards that direction. However I love eating so probably eat too much!!

Do you have a target time?
I think a sub 11 hour time would be realistic and with the hope of pushing closer to ten. This will depend on how I manage to recover from the 100 miler and what impact the altitude will have on me.

Any plans for the UTMB in the future?

Hopefully 2014!!

Lakeland 100 - A race of two halves

The finish! :)

38 hours and 8 minutes! At the third time of asking I've managed to get round the 105 miles of the Lakeland 100. It wasn't pretty and very slow but it was all about finishing. Very hot and humid conditions gave way to torrential rain and thunderstorms on Saturday evening neither of which were condusive to moving fast in the hills so I'm very happy to have made the finish with a couple of hours to spare. The stats tell a tell with 124 finishers from 274 starters. The full results can be found here.

I started slowly in the heat anticipating I could pick up some time in the cool of the nightime. The usual stomach problems slowed my pace from Black Sail onwards but I was picking up places on the climbs and descents and holding my own on the flat. I arrived at Dockwray, my 2011 end point, feeling stronger than I'd ever felt at this stage of the race but the wheels did  come off slightly on the long leg to Dalemain after i miscalculated on the water and ran out. My aim had always been to arrive at Dalemain before the Lakeland 50 race started which I managed with a couple of minutes to spare arriving at 59 miles in 17:28. It also meant the magical experience of being clapped into the checkpoint by 750 runners!


The lowest point of my race came around the 65 mile mark. Despite stuffing my face at Dalemain I hit the wall again and ran out of water dropping into Howtown. I took 20 minutes to sort myself out but was still moving slowly on the leg over to Mardale losing 50 minutes on my 35 hour schedule. Apologies to the Howtown check point volunteer who walked in as I was fixing some chafeage issues!


Crouched in a clump of bracken off the trail for a quick break I heard a 50 mile competitor quip "Look - he's evaporated" on spying my bag dumped by the side of the path. I wasn't far off in the heat of the day and was looking forward to the rain promised by the black clouds which were ominously building. The first crash of thunder and driving rain came 30 seconds before the Mardale checkpoint at just over 24 hours gone. From here it was head down in full waterproofs and keep moving. the checkpoint was incredibly busy with everyone trying to get under cover so I grabbed a couple of sandwiches and set off quickly feeling strong in the cooler condition.

My stomach problems had now resolved themselves and I set a comfortable pace through the darkness. The rain was bouncing knee high and there was a river coming down Garburn Pass. Ambleside was a welcome sight although the crowds from earlier in the day had headed home. Accepting that my target of 35 hours had slipped away in the conditions I opted to spend a bit longer in the checkpoint to ensure I was in good shape to get to the end. However on the climb out of Ambleside the sleepmonsters arrived for the first time. There had been plnety of frogs and toads on the path enjoying the rain but now they were everywhere and all different sizes!


The Langdale checkpoint loomed out of the rain like a mirage. Sofas, open fires and a pounding soundtrack.
The marshalls were all only wearing shorts and t-shirts so it must still have been pretty warm but there were a lot of cold competitors huddled under space blankets. I started to get cold quickly so opted to head back out in to the weather wearing everything I had. A calculated risk as I didn't think I had much in reserve to deal with any problems but the fear of an embarrisng rescue by my old Mountain rescue team should push me that little bit further or at least out of the valley!

Dawn arrived suddenly at Blea Tarn but the rain didn't let up and many of the trails were still ankle deep in flowing water. Foolishly I'd never recceed the final leg from Tilberthwaite to Coniston despite hearing plenty of horror stories about the nav and the stone staircase. I drank my thirteenth and final cup of coffee and quickly set off. My constant companians from Ambleside were a team of young ladies running the fifty as a team of three. I'm afraid I wasn't very sociable by this stage but I'm sure I gave them something to laugh about as I fell asleep on my feet with my head resting on my cheat sticks. Helena had stopped to deal with an unconcious competitor with a head injury just before Mardale but had caught up with her team mates Ann and Judith and was marshalling them (and me) towards the finish.

The final descent was long and painful as my body suddenly tightend up and seemed very fragile. I lost one place just before the end, beaten in a 'sprint' finish after 104 miles! Good effort Gary.

I managed a trot to the line where a few brave souls waited in the rain. However the reception on entering the John Ruskin School was pretty amazing with a couple of hundred folk cheering people home. I was cut free from my shackle (Sportident band) and received my medal and t-shirt. I lasted about 40 minutes before I fell asleep in my chair but enough time for a very welcome bacon sarnie! A couple of hours sleep in the van and back up for the final presentation and story telling which marked the culmination of a great event.