Some thoughts and reports from outings...
Blogs from some outdoor adventures.....
Glencoe Wild Camping I have had a few “microadventures” over the last couple of years, but none have been in the bracket of the 5- 9 category. So having not been out for a few weekends, I was feeling the need for escape so planned a 5-9 microadventure. In addition to needing to feed the rat, I also had my brand spanking new tent arrive a few weeks earlier which had sat unused since its arrival. I was itching to get out in the hills and try this out and had my eye on a camping spot with a view. With the Summer Solstice, I knew that this was the perfect time to do this so I finished up work at 17.00 hrs and headed north towards Glencoe. The car was parked at the Kinshouse and I was on my way a little after 18.30. The weather was great, sun was shining and the temperature was 17.5 degrees when I left the car. I had previously visited this hill many moons ago under a covering of snow and I remember the views being some of the best in the West Highlands and certainly the best in Glencoe due to the fact that it looks onto all of the iconic mountains. On reaching the summit at 20.00 the views were just as good as I remembered them: back towards the east , Rannoch Moor and its surrounding peaks (Schiehallion, Alder, Lyon, Orchy moutnains), panning North – the Trieg hills, Grey Corries and sitting above them all – The Ben, then immediately south and west and stealing the show the views down into Glencoe up past the three sisters to the might of Bidean, only outdone by The Buachaille itself!! An amazing sight! Although only a Corbett and seemingly a rounded lump – this hill has some of the best views I have seen – so not a bad spot to spend the nightJ It was now time to pitch up. My new tent was bought after my last tent was destroyed in an unexpected storm in the NW wilderness (an experience I really, really did not want repeated tonight!!- see video below of the tent wrecking storm!). I found a nice ledge about 10m west of the summit which looked down Glencoe and over to the Buachaille. Not a bad spot. Tent was set by 20.45 and the rest of the evening until about midnight was spent taking piccies and vids in an awesome setting. Most notably I remember being on the summit at about 22.50with still enough light for some pictures and the views over to Ben Nevis were stunning. The forecast for the following morning was not too great with a front moving in and bringing rain by 07.00hr, so I set the alarm for 04.20 (also in the slight hope I might get a stunning sunrise!!). I woke at 03.42!! and decided to get going. I looked out of the tent and the wind had picked up, pushing bits of clouds up and over the hill side – rather atmospheric. Anyway by 04.20 I was on my way back to the car – no stunning sunrise as the fronts cloud had pushed across the country – time to get home before the rain!! Back at the car by 05.20 and home ready for work by 07.10am. Rat fed, and a happy camper – awesome experience J
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WilkieMurraySome thoughts and reports from my outdoors activties... Archives
August 2017
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