Hi folks.
Thought I'd share a few pics I took on Wednesday when I finally got up to the Cairngorms to try out my recent bargain buys, courtesy of the group buy's!! (thanks to all who arranged them!)
Location: Up near Derry Lodge, Braemar side of the Cairngorms. Left Aberdeen in the mid morning on a scorching day, and after spending too much money (again!) in Braemar Mountain Sports and the Hungry Highlander, drove off to the Linn of Dee carpark, loaded up the bike and after a fierce 25 min cycle (not been on the bike for 8 months), got to one of my fav spots- Bob Scott's Bothy.
The track form the carpark
Derry Cairngorm in the distance
One of the locals was hanging about the bothy and surprisingly didn't scarper when I arrived- figured it was hoping I would leave so it could finish the whisky someone had left in the bothy!
After much knot tying (and slipping and re-tying) got the hammock and tarp set up. The bothy (as a backup incase!) behind
Now to play with the stove and get a brew on...
Although there were no midges really, decided to set up the net too- for practice
Sunset looking back towards the carpark
The views from my bed!! Carn a' Mhain on the left
It was a very clear, cold night and I can see the point of the under-blanket and quilt set-up for sure. Although I hardly slept (a wee bit chilly and kept sliding down into the middle and almost off my wee airik mat), I had an amazing night sky to watch and was a valuable exercise in setting up the kit, knot tying and fine tuning everything.
Learning pints:
1) Need a bigger tarp- no rain forecast so the smaller one was set up to try and shield the hammock from the wind but no real rain protection.
2) Think about winter bag if going again soon... otherwise under-blanket at least..
3) Try different climbing tape as the stuff I bought was useless- would not hold intended knots at all- tried figure of 8 slippery hitch and taught-line hitch- ended up just looping the trees, tying the ends together and attaching the carab's straight onto the tape- not as elegant or quick to undo, but it worked well- just as well the trees were exactly the right space apart too.
4) Learn the prussik knots to tension the tarp better.
All in all a great night and I am keen to get back out there and spend a few nights with some good company, good food and good whisky- all welcome!!
Best wishes to all
Stuart
Thought I'd share a few pics I took on Wednesday when I finally got up to the Cairngorms to try out my recent bargain buys, courtesy of the group buy's!! (thanks to all who arranged them!)
Location: Up near Derry Lodge, Braemar side of the Cairngorms. Left Aberdeen in the mid morning on a scorching day, and after spending too much money (again!) in Braemar Mountain Sports and the Hungry Highlander, drove off to the Linn of Dee carpark, loaded up the bike and after a fierce 25 min cycle (not been on the bike for 8 months), got to one of my fav spots- Bob Scott's Bothy.
The track form the carpark
Derry Cairngorm in the distance
One of the locals was hanging about the bothy and surprisingly didn't scarper when I arrived- figured it was hoping I would leave so it could finish the whisky someone had left in the bothy!
After much knot tying (and slipping and re-tying) got the hammock and tarp set up. The bothy (as a backup incase!) behind
Now to play with the stove and get a brew on...
Although there were no midges really, decided to set up the net too- for practice
Sunset looking back towards the carpark
The views from my bed!! Carn a' Mhain on the left
It was a very clear, cold night and I can see the point of the under-blanket and quilt set-up for sure. Although I hardly slept (a wee bit chilly and kept sliding down into the middle and almost off my wee airik mat), I had an amazing night sky to watch and was a valuable exercise in setting up the kit, knot tying and fine tuning everything.
Learning pints:
1) Need a bigger tarp- no rain forecast so the smaller one was set up to try and shield the hammock from the wind but no real rain protection.
2) Think about winter bag if going again soon... otherwise under-blanket at least..
3) Try different climbing tape as the stuff I bought was useless- would not hold intended knots at all- tried figure of 8 slippery hitch and taught-line hitch- ended up just looping the trees, tying the ends together and attaching the carab's straight onto the tape- not as elegant or quick to undo, but it worked well- just as well the trees were exactly the right space apart too.
4) Learn the prussik knots to tension the tarp better.
All in all a great night and I am keen to get back out there and spend a few nights with some good company, good food and good whisky- all welcome!!
Best wishes to all
Stuart
