All went well, I had a bit of a flat spot during the day and just couldn't get my **** in gear but managed to pack my stuff after about 3 attempts to condense and reorganise/relocate things.
My bag went tits up because I decided to take my Issue dossbag which takes 3/4 of the sack.
I had to fashion a PLCE side pouch on the back for more stuff (which now i'm back didn't really need).
So later last night we went for a walk and I took my bag just to see how it handled in the ice, turned out good so I decided to go even though it was dark by now.
Took me about 30 mins to set up the tarp(between 2 trees and pegged in each corner)and sleeping-bag I ended up just shoveling as much snow as I could out from under the tarp. because it was dark I didn't find much to lay on.
After a brew I turned in. Left my boots upside down near the entrance(semi-blocked with rucksack) and settled in.
This took me a while. I couldn't get comfortable at first as my arms kept going numb. This turned out to be my baselayer constricting blood flow round the tops of my arms.
Once removed it was all good. slept in running shorts and ron hill tracksters with wollen socks on too, didn't have any problem with cold and slept pretty good until about
7.30 this morning. My base layer was dry first thing. boots were good, Water bottle was frozen so it must have got cold, Damn glad I took the issue bag rather than my merlin softie 3. I need an expander panel because it just too tight on me and would have spoilt my night for sure.
Temp gauge reading 0 degrees C, Had a quick brew and thought I would try and light a fire to toast a muffin on, I had some birch bark in the back pocket of my trousers and set to work.
Cleared a bit of earth and made flat, Found a few twigs in the trees and setup a few sticks as a base. I scratched at the birch bark to get some tinder and tried my firestick.
A few times Later just as I was about to reach for the Hexamine it got a flame. Ace I thought, Fire started. Only had it burning for 30 mins or so as there was a great deal of dry fuel around but it was enough to heat some sausage and muffin. After making sure the fire was out and leaving no trace, I headed Home.
So all in all it was a good experience, but It really does deepen my respect for the people that live in these conditions all the time, I think another night out would be harder seeing as by now most of my gear was damp after packing up.
