Enjoying your Fan Dance updates. Why not go old school with the watch choice? Your anOrdain is more capable than anything Sir Hilary used, and it's from the UK. There's nothing more British than completing a rough and tumble venture, then walking into a pub for a pint, and casually checking the time on the "dress" watch you just used.
Good stuff Jason. You’re inspiring me to try to get back towards the fitness and lifestyle I had ten years ago.
As for watches, I would double wrist. Garmin plus either of your front runners, the CWC or the Tudor. And honestly, I’m not sure I can help on which one. That is a very personal choice, and you’re the person…
Thanks for sharing the adventure and Godspeed with the training.
Either double wrist with the Garmin and FXD or if you’re so well in tune with your training by the time the event comes around, just go with the FXD.
I’ve always had issues with cramping while doing a lot of exercise, especially my calf muscles. The supplements that work the best for me are Sport Legs. They’re hard to find, but I’ve tried most of the popular brands and Sport Legs work the best.
On a dive boat in the Andaman Sea I learned about Schuessler Tissue Salts from an Australian diver. She let me try some of her pills and now their Nerve Tonic Comb 5 has now almost displaced the Sport Legs. Shipping from Australia is a bit pricey, but these things really work.
Finally, Totum Sport Hypertonic Solution. It tastes like a shot of seawater and is expensive. I only use this when I’m on my absolute last legs and need a boost to get me back to the car on those longer, harder days.
Having recommended those, I really think that body chemistry plays a huge role. Someone might swear a Hammer Nutrition product is awesome, but for me they weren’t very effective.
I would highly recommend GU Roctane capsules for electrolyte tablets. They are super easy to use- just take with water, they are just electrolytes with a bit of ginger root to help with digestion. I have used them going up the Cascade Volcanoes and a 150 mi traverse of Wyoming's Wind River Range. Very easy to keep in a strap pocket. They are on Amazon. Like any of this try them while your training to see how you tolerate them. A lot of ultra runners use them but for some complain of stomach distress. This will be a great adventure.
I have used both a Suunto and a Garmin for this sort of alpine adventures and they can be invaluable. I think you will want the training data for this adventure. One of my big years I did 500 miles of hiking 600 miles of running and over 100k of elevation gain and it was very cool to have that. On a normal year I don't really care.
I agree that as much as I love my Garmin Fenix 5X with it's color screen and maps seeing it sitting on my desk does not make me think of summits or adventures in a sentimental way like your Explore. You don't have to wear the watch to record the advent. I'm sure you could have it in a pack pocket running and just of the mechanical on wrist. If you want HR I have worn a chest sensor a lot since they are way more accurate than the wrist sensor.
A lot of the fun of these adventures is the preparations and pondering these discissions. I sure it's going to be a great adventure. Look forward to hearing more about the training/prep and the adventure itself
Pretty big fan of nuun. It was created and founded by a buddy and my wife ran the company for about 10 years before it sold to Nestle. Still a great product with plenty of flavor options.
I don't recall if you ever mentioned owning an original Smiths Everest or Smiths Deluxe (the ones made in England, not the new ones). I have a vintage Smiths Everest (shockproof) from the early 1960s which evokes both English industrial history and maybe the most impressive mountain adventure ever. Just a thought.
I vote for the Pelagos. It’s one you’ve held out for and finally (a timely purchase?) seized. I think this adventure befits such a watch—what a christening. And to think the automatic rotor will be swinging and accumulate revolutions while you’re inching up and back down is all the more special. You’ll both feel the effort.
My two cents: Do you really care about your heart rate and other data points during the Fan Dance? I suspect not. Unlike monitoring speed/distance for a marathon runner or for U.K. SF recruit (not too fast/not too slow if you want to finish and qualify), your Fan Dance or any hard day hike is really about the experience. A personal watch definitely will add to that experience. No amount of “data” will make any difference.
Your watch will be a piece of kit in a forced march (or to use the Brit term a “TAB”) so it needs to be rugged. Ideally, it needs to be on a NATO so that you can wash out the sweat when you are done. So, any one of the watches listed will do just fine and any decision will be the right decision.
Far more important will be your boots and your ruck (especially the shoulder straps). Those will be the key to “enjoying” the event.
One last point: buy a scrim scarf. It will be perfect for either a hot day or a cold one.
Jason, as you know, I double-wrist 7/365, from the time I roll out of bed in the morning until I turn in at night. I wear my Garmin fenix on my right wrist and whatever flavor of watch-of-the-day on my left.
So my recommendation is your Descent on one wrist and your FXD on the other. And make sure you knock the FXD on a few rocks along the way, just to have some specific patina to point to in 30 years.
BTW - several commentators here have invoked Great Britain as the brand origin of choice. But Tudor is owned by Rolex, and Rolex was founded in England. So...
That's my two cents... I'm eager to learn what you finally choose. I'm also interested in whether you attach a strap compass to the chosen ticker, and which one, if you do.
I’ve been double wristing for a while. Being a fitness nerd, the data I get from my smart watch is a great training tool. Being a watch nerd, my mechanical watch is the one that helps to inspire me to go out and do more things, plus is the one that will carry the memories into the future.
Since I'm in the club of any watch over $100 has quickly diminishing returns, I say go buy a G Shock and forget about it. The idea of wearing a $4000 mechanical device with springs and gears on what you're about to do doesn't make alot of sense. I don't think special forces get issued Tudors anymore. Any luxury watch in that price range is just a luxury that happens to tell the time. But on the other hand if you want to do it in style.... Tudor it like David Beckham baby! Lol Any of my wifes $2500 earrings or $4000 diamond rings are totally unnecessary but they do make her look good. Good luck!
As a guy that doesn’t own any smartwatch technology of any kind, I can only say the question is here is; how many watches do you want to hold the most special memories? Do you want memories spread across all of your watches or do you want that baller watch that did all the big stuff with you?
Diving Hermes and climbing Rainer are pretty big adventures Jason… so I’m saying 14060 or your CWC and turn one of them into your legend…
I also struggle with the double wristing quandary quite frequently myself. I enjoy the metrics and data my Apple Watch provides, but find it falls flat for simply checking the time, especially within the activity screen, as the time becomes relegated to a small readout as opposed to being prominently displayed. As such, I started reframing my thought process. It’s ostensibly a dive computer on land, and many people will wear a dive computer AND an analog dive watch on the opposite wrist without any judgement. Why shouldn’t the same rationale apply to terrestrial exploration as well. As such, that’s how I’ve started wearing my Apple Watch. That mindset has proven liberating. I’ve got all my metrics and such for hikes, but if I need to see the actual time, I just look at the other wrist. Is it something I would do all day/every day? No. But I’m not concerned with tracking my every movement 24/7.
Enjoying your Fan Dance updates. Why not go old school with the watch choice? Your anOrdain is more capable than anything Sir Hilary used, and it's from the UK. There's nothing more British than completing a rough and tumble venture, then walking into a pub for a pint, and casually checking the time on the "dress" watch you just used.
Good stuff Jason. You’re inspiring me to try to get back towards the fitness and lifestyle I had ten years ago.
As for watches, I would double wrist. Garmin plus either of your front runners, the CWC or the Tudor. And honestly, I’m not sure I can help on which one. That is a very personal choice, and you’re the person…
Thanks for sharing the adventure and Godspeed with the training.
Surprised the bronze Vertex didn’t make this list - that would be my choice, for its British military heritage and ruggedly good looks.
I would double wrist it. The memories with the watch digital track of where I went with the Garman (if that’s how it works) would be perfect.
Either double wrist with the Garmin and FXD or if you’re so well in tune with your training by the time the event comes around, just go with the FXD.
I’ve always had issues with cramping while doing a lot of exercise, especially my calf muscles. The supplements that work the best for me are Sport Legs. They’re hard to find, but I’ve tried most of the popular brands and Sport Legs work the best.
On a dive boat in the Andaman Sea I learned about Schuessler Tissue Salts from an Australian diver. She let me try some of her pills and now their Nerve Tonic Comb 5 has now almost displaced the Sport Legs. Shipping from Australia is a bit pricey, but these things really work.
Finally, Totum Sport Hypertonic Solution. It tastes like a shot of seawater and is expensive. I only use this when I’m on my absolute last legs and need a boost to get me back to the car on those longer, harder days.
Having recommended those, I really think that body chemistry plays a huge role. Someone might swear a Hammer Nutrition product is awesome, but for me they weren’t very effective.
The CWC is the clear choice worthy of a yomp on the Brecon Beacons. Not the time for technology.
I would highly recommend GU Roctane capsules for electrolyte tablets. They are super easy to use- just take with water, they are just electrolytes with a bit of ginger root to help with digestion. I have used them going up the Cascade Volcanoes and a 150 mi traverse of Wyoming's Wind River Range. Very easy to keep in a strap pocket. They are on Amazon. Like any of this try them while your training to see how you tolerate them. A lot of ultra runners use them but for some complain of stomach distress. This will be a great adventure.
I have used both a Suunto and a Garmin for this sort of alpine adventures and they can be invaluable. I think you will want the training data for this adventure. One of my big years I did 500 miles of hiking 600 miles of running and over 100k of elevation gain and it was very cool to have that. On a normal year I don't really care.
I agree that as much as I love my Garmin Fenix 5X with it's color screen and maps seeing it sitting on my desk does not make me think of summits or adventures in a sentimental way like your Explore. You don't have to wear the watch to record the advent. I'm sure you could have it in a pack pocket running and just of the mechanical on wrist. If you want HR I have worn a chest sensor a lot since they are way more accurate than the wrist sensor.
A lot of the fun of these adventures is the preparations and pondering these discissions. I sure it's going to be a great adventure. Look forward to hearing more about the training/prep and the adventure itself
Pretty big fan of nuun. It was created and founded by a buddy and my wife ran the company for about 10 years before it sold to Nestle. Still a great product with plenty of flavor options.
I don't recall if you ever mentioned owning an original Smiths Everest or Smiths Deluxe (the ones made in England, not the new ones). I have a vintage Smiths Everest (shockproof) from the early 1960s which evokes both English industrial history and maybe the most impressive mountain adventure ever. Just a thought.
I vote for the Pelagos. It’s one you’ve held out for and finally (a timely purchase?) seized. I think this adventure befits such a watch—what a christening. And to think the automatic rotor will be swinging and accumulate revolutions while you’re inching up and back down is all the more special. You’ll both feel the effort.
Jason,
Only watch nerds need apply to this article!
My two cents: Do you really care about your heart rate and other data points during the Fan Dance? I suspect not. Unlike monitoring speed/distance for a marathon runner or for U.K. SF recruit (not too fast/not too slow if you want to finish and qualify), your Fan Dance or any hard day hike is really about the experience. A personal watch definitely will add to that experience. No amount of “data” will make any difference.
Your watch will be a piece of kit in a forced march (or to use the Brit term a “TAB”) so it needs to be rugged. Ideally, it needs to be on a NATO so that you can wash out the sweat when you are done. So, any one of the watches listed will do just fine and any decision will be the right decision.
Far more important will be your boots and your ruck (especially the shoulder straps). Those will be the key to “enjoying” the event.
One last point: buy a scrim scarf. It will be perfect for either a hot day or a cold one.
Cheers, mate
Jason, as you know, I double-wrist 7/365, from the time I roll out of bed in the morning until I turn in at night. I wear my Garmin fenix on my right wrist and whatever flavor of watch-of-the-day on my left.
So my recommendation is your Descent on one wrist and your FXD on the other. And make sure you knock the FXD on a few rocks along the way, just to have some specific patina to point to in 30 years.
BTW - several commentators here have invoked Great Britain as the brand origin of choice. But Tudor is owned by Rolex, and Rolex was founded in England. So...
That's my two cents... I'm eager to learn what you finally choose. I'm also interested in whether you attach a strap compass to the chosen ticker, and which one, if you do.
I’ve been double wristing for a while. Being a fitness nerd, the data I get from my smart watch is a great training tool. Being a watch nerd, my mechanical watch is the one that helps to inspire me to go out and do more things, plus is the one that will carry the memories into the future.
Since I'm in the club of any watch over $100 has quickly diminishing returns, I say go buy a G Shock and forget about it. The idea of wearing a $4000 mechanical device with springs and gears on what you're about to do doesn't make alot of sense. I don't think special forces get issued Tudors anymore. Any luxury watch in that price range is just a luxury that happens to tell the time. But on the other hand if you want to do it in style.... Tudor it like David Beckham baby! Lol Any of my wifes $2500 earrings or $4000 diamond rings are totally unnecessary but they do make her look good. Good luck!
As a guy that doesn’t own any smartwatch technology of any kind, I can only say the question is here is; how many watches do you want to hold the most special memories? Do you want memories spread across all of your watches or do you want that baller watch that did all the big stuff with you?
Diving Hermes and climbing Rainer are pretty big adventures Jason… so I’m saying 14060 or your CWC and turn one of them into your legend…
I also struggle with the double wristing quandary quite frequently myself. I enjoy the metrics and data my Apple Watch provides, but find it falls flat for simply checking the time, especially within the activity screen, as the time becomes relegated to a small readout as opposed to being prominently displayed. As such, I started reframing my thought process. It’s ostensibly a dive computer on land, and many people will wear a dive computer AND an analog dive watch on the opposite wrist without any judgement. Why shouldn’t the same rationale apply to terrestrial exploration as well. As such, that’s how I’ve started wearing my Apple Watch. That mindset has proven liberating. I’ve got all my metrics and such for hikes, but if I need to see the actual time, I just look at the other wrist. Is it something I would do all day/every day? No. But I’m not concerned with tracking my every movement 24/7.