Advice Needed for 3 Nights in the Cairngorms

[forest_girl]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice. University finishes in a week and I'm planning to head up to the Cairngorms for some winter bushcraft and wild camping for a few nights, and was wondering if anyone has any recommended spots?

I'm looking at getting the train to Aviemore, and to spend time either in Abernethy forest or Glenmore forest. Whichever is quieter and more out of the way really.

I'll be backpacking in but I'd like to do two of the nights in one place, with more of a basecamp setup, and spend a day staying close to camp practicing bushcraft and doing some landscape painting. So preferably wherever I camp would be tucked away enough that nobody would really stumble across my camp while its set up all day.

Anyone have any suggestions for where to go, or anywhere I should particularly avoid? It seems to be exclusively scots pine forest, anyone know of any birch pockets, or any sections of woodland up there with a wider variety for bushcrafting?

Never been up in that area so some advice would be appreciated!

 

[Nice65]

Not much help, pub with a log fire and a big window. Brave girl for getting out there.

 

[Fadcode]

There is a good information Centre in Aviemore, who would advise you of the Area, remember the days are short up there at this time of the year, and it can be very cold, and I do mean very cold, it is also not advisable to be on your own, especially if the weather turns bad or you get hurt,, Why not stay at one of the many camp sites and, just go out for the day, there are plenty of good sites along the river spey to practice your bushcraft skills,and at this time of the year there wont be many people about,and your permanent site will be safe in the camp site, regarding the tree types, there is an abundance of Birch and other trees up there, the whole of the A9 is lined with birch trees,

 

[forest_girl]

Haha Nice69 pubs aren't really my scene, prefer a good patch of freezing deserted woodland!!

Thanks for the advice, I've done a few trips to the pentlands already during that cold spell, a few nights at -4 were cosy and it got me used to the short days too. I'm expecting it to be colder than these trips so packing accordingly, I also don't plan on heading up into the mountains alone. I'd like to take a friend anyway. Good to know about the trees - from a lot of the pictures I saw I could only see scotts pine!

 

[dewi]

Can't give any advice on location, but perhaps you could request a second or even a third to join you on your trip? The more the merrier type of thing.

 

[tiger stacker]

Cold at night with great landscapes, http://cairngorms.co.uk/# is the official site. The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd is one of the best books to read up on the area. Enjoy yourself if it is your first time there.

 

[Rabbit leg]

I did a few days there in September. I just had a look at Google earth and it was south east of Glenmore Lodge. On the map it looks thin with trees but there was more than enough cover.
You will not be bothered in this area and any camp you make could last undisturbed for next year. I came across a few but they were near the trail.
I came across lots of silver birch near the streams. Plenty of water around.
Wood ant nests. With maybe stag beetle larve inside. Need to confirm that.
Caught trout in Loch Avon. Tasty over a log fire.
Basic supplies at the campsite/pub shop. Avimore has camping shops and supermarkets.
Reindeer and deer in the forest.

If you are painting then there are some beautiful, twisted old/dead trees in this area. I took loads of pics - it's quicker.

 

[forest_girl]

I did a few days there in September...

Thanks thats all really helpful! Sounds amazing, your description is getting me excited to go! Do you need a fishing license to catch the fish though?

The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd is one of the best books to read up on the area. Enjoy yourself if it is your first time there.

That is actually one of my favourite books I have read it twice now! Its what inspired me to look into the Cairngorms initially.

 

[johnnythefox]

You need to be very,very careful you should go with someone experienced Definetly not alone.

this area is like the arctic in places there is nowhere else like it in the U.K. It can be extremely dangerous, people die.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/25718485

 

[Squidders]

So much advice to just stay home or book into a hotel. Very strange - I thought bushcraft was about getting out there and active.

 

[rik_uk3]

A member here posted on another forum that it was -10 up there this morning; not the place for a solo camp.

 

[forest_girl]

So much advice to just stay home or book into a hotel. Very strange - I thought bushcraft was about getting out there and active.

I hear that! Its strange, winter is my favourite time to go camping!

I should clear things up. I am experienced, I am fully aware of the climate, though that article was about the plateau, which as I already mentioned I will stay away from, sticking to the forests north of the mountains. That being said, should I experience conditions such as these, I will be prepared. I am fully aware of the dangers.
I will be traveling with an ultralight tipi hot tent, arctic seeing bag etc. Know that I have the equipment experiance and knowledge for -10 to be a temperature I get excited about, not one that puts me off. Don't worry - in not planning to go there with nothing but a wool blanket a knife and an axe and the skills in my head! I love traditional bushcraft but I know its place is firmly cemented in the warmer months without very specialist knowledge.
This was simply a post looking for first hand tips about specific locations, I wasn't looking for advice on not going at all.

 

[johnnythefox]

its also about being sensible the Cairngorns can be much more dangerous than the Alps, they don't get arctic conditions.

 

[johnnythefox]

I hear that! Its strange, winter is my favourite time to go camping!

I should clear things up. I am experienced, I am fully aware of the climate, though that article was about the plateau, which as I already mentioned I will stay away from, sticking to the forests north of the mountains. That being said, should I experience conditions such as these, I will be prepared. I am fully aware of the dangers.
I will be traveling with an ultralight tipi hot tent, arctic seeing bag etc. Know that I have the equipment experiance and knowledge for -10 to be a temperature I get excited about, not one that puts me off. Don't worry - in not planning to go there with nothing but a wool blanket a knife and an axe and the skills in my head! I love traditional bushcraft but I know its place is firmly cemented in the warmer months without very specialist knowledge.
This was simply a post looking for first hand tips about specific locations, I wasn't looking for advice on not going at all.

you are an adult its your choices, it would be remiss of us to not tell you of the dangers.

Ive seen and heard it all before, ask the mountain rescue chaps how many experienced people who have the skills they have risked there lives to save.
No ones saying don't go, we are saying be sensible.

 

[Rabbit leg]

No midges. A perfect time to go.

Have fun.

 

[Limaed]

You might want to look at walking in to Ryvoan or Ruigh Aiteachain bothy where you will have a warm dry shelter and fire and a place to paint. Neither are too far from the roadhead and you should be safe as long as you don't do anything daft, they should be quiet until Christmas. Their locations are listed on the MBA website.

I'm with the other guys in that you need to be very careful if you're out on your own or even with a friend - tenting might not be ideal, don't forget its dark for about 17 hours a day now. Cold isn't your enemy its the wind, wet and coldthat is. I would say we're overdue some winter storms and the Cairngorms take a real hammering when the weather breaks. If you do head out please tell somebody where you are and when you intend to come back.

 

[Fadcode]

So much advice to just stay home or book into a hotel. Very strange - I thought bushcraft was about getting out there and active.

Bushcraft is about knowing the dangers out there , as well as enjoying them, a lot of people die of stupidity by trying to beat the elements when its not possible.You also need to think about putting other peoples lives at risk trying to find and rescue you. No one is saying don't go, but just be careful and to consider the dangers you may face,and be prepared, and to have the sense to stop when the going gets tough not to carry on regardless, I am sure forest_girl, knows what she is doing but better safe than sorry. it would also be very remiss of members on this BB not to point out the dangers and not to give advise.

 

[dewi]

This is why I recommended a second or a third to go along... a group camp is always better than a solo... perhaps not for the peace and quiet, but the safety aspect.

That said... you have some great gear FG... you have everything you need to stay warm and dry... so perhaps its the adventure of a lifetime waiting to happen.

I'd still take a mate along all the same, just to be sure... but that just me. I'm a wuss

 

[Squidders]

Bushcraft is about knowing the dangers out there , as well as enjoying them, a lot of people die of stupidity by trying to beat the elements when its not possible.You also need to think about putting other peoples lives at risk trying to find and rescue you. No one is saying don't go, but just be careful and to consider the dangers you may face,and be prepared, and to have the sense to stop when the going gets tough not to carry on regardless, I am sure forest_girl, knows what she is doing but better safe than sorry. it would also be very remiss of members on this BB not to point out the dangers and not to give advise.

I didn't see anyone asking about forest_girl's experience and skill level which makes all the advice unsolicited, rude and presumptive. Are any of us more experienced than she? Perhaps we should be asking for advice sometimes instead of spewing it out so readily. I saw no indication that she was wandering off into the woods ill prepared or equipped.

Of course there are dangers... any sane person would do a risk assessment, figure out where the dangers were and try to limit them, let someone know your plans and expected route and time of return and make sure adequate provisions are taken and equipment and any insane person will ignore every bit of advice anyway.

I don't know how much experience you have, if you have first hand knowledge of the conditions and terrain in the area and I wouldn't teach you to suck eggs because it's rude, you don't know if I do either and that's fine but the dolling out of advice with the assumption that the recipient needs or wants it is pretty much just spam as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Squidders]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice. University finishes in a week and I'm planning to head up to the Cairngorms for some winter bushcraft and wild camping for a few nights, and was wondering if anyone has any recommended spots?

I'm looking at getting the train to Aviemore, and to spend time either in Abernethy forest or Glenmore forest. Whichever is quieter and more out of the way really.

I'll be backpacking in but I'd like to do two of the nights in one place, with more of a basecamp setup, and spend a day staying close to camp practicing bushcraft and doing some landscape painting. So preferably wherever I camp would be tucked away enough that nobody would really stumble across my camp while its set up all day.

Anyone have any suggestions for where to go, or anywhere I should particularly avoid? It seems to be exclusively scots pine forest, anyone know of any birch pockets, or any sections of woodland up there with a wider variety for bushcrafting?

Never been up in that area so some advice would be appreciated!

What temperature does your paint freeze at?