First time - 3 day wild camping in scotland advice needed!

[skarfish]

Hi all!

I am a young guy who has just finished uni and was looking to go on a weeks adventure in scotland. I live in london and just want to get away from here for a while. My background is in sports mainly cycling and I occasionally like to rock climb, however I have always had a keen interest in camping and learning bush craft skills, but untill now, have not had a chance! So finally got some time to go in august.

I will be driving up from london on sunday in to hopefull start early on monday morning.

My plan so far:
Day 1: Attempt the peak at Ben nevis via the CMD arete route. Descend then have dinner and hotel that night,
Day 2,3,4: To leave early, park the car and go out on a 3 day wild camp route.
Day 5 : Return in the morning back to car; and then on for another excursion/site seeing.
Day 6: Sight see morning/afternoon return to car and drive back down to boring london.

Questions!

Day 1: I need advice on navigating our way to the peak of ben nevis via CMD route, is it easy or do I need a map etc? I really do not want to do the tourist route.

Day 2,3,4: It is my first attempt at wild camping, but I really want to do it because next year I plan to go cycle touring norway and need practice. The main problem here is, I need to find a circular route that would take 3 days 3 nights (and 1 morning) to do at a reasonable pace. As we are with a car and need to return to it. Also within 1-3 hours drive away from ben nevis area.

What I really want is to be able to camp in different terrian (no campsites), ie a night in a forest, a night by a loch/river or high up somewhere. Also the journey inbetween to be engaging and not too easy with beautiful scenary, and not too flat (highlands) All of this in a circle back to the car!

Day 5,6: Recommend an excursion please!


So my main worry is the circular route for the 3 day hike/wild camp.
If anyone could provide me with some advice I would greatly appreciate it! Please also forgive me incase I set my expectations too high or im just being naive!
Thank you!

 

[jacko1066]

I'm sorry I can't give you any plans for routes or etc.

What I can say is beware of the midgies that time of year pal!!

My advice would be to camp up high!!

 

[BorderRover]

For your wild camping, I would recommend driving south from the Ben Nevis area to the Scottish Borders (about 2hr drive). the landscape is more rolling and gentle so your camping options are much greater (as opposed to the steep and extreme terrain further north).

The landscape also allows you to roam, without the need for all the specialist gear you would normally require for a walk in the highland terrain, though obviously the usually sensible kit & precautions need taken.

 

[Elen Sentier]

I'm sorry I can't give you any plans for routes or etc.

What I can say is beware of the midgies that time of year pal!!

My advice would be to camp up high!!

+101 to that !!! Camp as high as poss with a breeze ... +midge net, take midge-net-hat and loads of midge-guard !!! Otherwise enjoy, it's fabulous country

 

[skarfish]

Thanks guys, i found another forum more suitable to planning a journey in scotland. Could you then advice on a starting set camping/bushcraft, things like a knife etc, not the cheapest, but something that will carry me on for many trips to come.

 

[BorderRover]

make sure, if buying a midge net, that it IS a midge net and NOT a mosquito net!

The mesh on mozzie nets has bigger holes and midges can get through them!

with other kit, it's like all hobbies. don't go for the best or most expensive, go for something that will do the job. you might find that suits your purposes and you will at least find out what you do and don't like. You might spend £70 on a hand axe then find you actually prefer to use a second hand £4 bow saw (like i did!)

 

[Dogoak]

Brain dead at the mo so I can't think of a 3 day camping trip at the mo, to be honest the Highlands are your oyster.

The ability to navigate on the Ben can not be underestimated. If the weather closes in and you can't navigate, your in trouble, many, many people have just walked over the edge!

All the best with your trip.

 

[Harvestman]

If you need to ask whether you need a map, then you need a map. Don't underestimate British mountains. You can get lost in cloud even on a clear path, and then you walk over a cliff or into a spot that it hard to get out of. More to the point, once you have a map make sure you know how to read it and navigate with it, which means having a compass too.

With good weather you will have a great experience, but if the weather turns less than ideal you need to know what to do.

Oh yes, and believe everything anyone says about how bad the midges are.

Kit wise there are lots of good threads on the forum already for starter and basic kit. Put those terms in the search engine and see what turns up.

All the best. I envy you your trip. I'd love to be doing something like that, and wish I had done when I finished university.

 

[jiffi]

The cmd arête is not easy and it is not for beginners I say this as I don't know how much experience you have and don't want to hear of you being airlifted off!!!!