Top 5 Wild Camps of 2013

I've not had the opportunity to get out for a while so over the last few days I've been looking through some of my photographs from 2013, this has brought back many great memories from the last 12 months and as such I've put together a bit of a shortlist of my favourite wild camps of 2013. 

@Munro277's final Munro

Back in September I headed up to the Mamores in Scotland with Peter & Lee, aka @Munro277 & @Leerockwell15. After what he describes as "a long campaign" @Munro277 had just one Munro left to complete, Am Bodach.  With that in mind a route was planned around the ridges of the Mamores taking in Peter's final munro as well as a few others. 

Backpacking Ben Lawers

I've just got back from a fantastic weekend up in Scotland with @Munro277 & @Leerockwell15. Rather than sit on the photo's etc until I have time to write a proper trip report I thought I'd post a super quick edit from the weekend...

@Munro277 taking in the sunrise on Sunday morning

*Updated 16 Nov 2013 - Photo's and route added*

*Updated 3 Dec 2013 - Extended video added*

Day Walk - A birthday wander up Helvellyn

It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago so the Mrs and I headed to the Lakes for a few nights. No wild camping this time as I was being treated to a couple of nights in a lovely B&B not far from Ullswater. It was mostly a nice relaxing weekend, plenty of good food, a few ales and a short wander up Helvellyn on the Saturday, good stuff :-)

Swirral Edge leading to Helvellyn from Catstye Cam

Day Walk - The Chalkland Way

I'd originally planned to be in the Lake District when this day walk took place but for one reason or another I ended up having only a single day free to get out for a bit of a wander. Not wanting to use up half the day driving to the Lakes or up in to the Dales or North York Moors I decided on a circular walk closer to home, the Chalkland Way.

First look - Klymit Inertia X-Lite Camping Mat

I've owned the Klymit Inertia X-Lite mat since around January but due to the extended cold weather at the start of the year I haven't had much chance to use it, as such this isn't a review, more of a quick look and some of my thoughts to date.

Trip Report - 2 days around Eskdale

Ok not so much a trip report, just a few photo's from a backpack around Eskdale with @Munro277. 

Trip Report - A few days in the Western Fells - Part 2

Following a great couple of days around Ennerdale and the Loweswater Fells (see Part 1) I woke early in the Wasdale valley and made my way to Overbeck Bridge at the base of Yewbarrow close to the shores of Wast Water.

Wast Water from Yewbarrow

Trip Report - A few days in the Western Fells - Part 1

At the end of June I had a few days off work so decided to head to the Lake District and target a number of the Western Fells I haven't been to before. My route and camps changed a little from those planned and I had a couple of minor kit failures but had a brilliant few days which included something new for me, wild camping and walking with others.

Wainwrights completed: 19 - Fellbarrow, Low Fell, Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Hen Comb, Mellbreak, Starling Dodd, Great Bourne, Grike, Crag Fell, Yewbarrow, Red Pike (W), Steeple, Scoat Fell, Haycock, Seatallan, Middle Fell, Buckbarrow. 

A weekend in the Scottish Borders

Not really a trip report, just a couple of photo's from a short trip to the Scottish Borders a few weeks ago.

Woodland Ways Weekender

For my birthday last year I received a voucher for a weekend long Woodland Ways Bushcraft course. I attended the course back March and have now finally got round to posting this write up of the weekend. 

The course I attended took place down in Derbyshire and ran from Friday evening to mid day Sunday, the web site describes the course as 'An ideal starting course for the beginner and for those who wish to try their hand at something different. It is also relevant for those who have an outline understanding of the concept and techniques of Bushcraft & Survival but wish to practice their techniques' and I'd say this is a spot on description. 

Wanting to miss the Friday rush hour traffic I arrived down there early and had a rather ropey sandwich in a nearby pub before heading to the woodland venue. After a quick hello to the others attending the course we took a short wander up to the woods where we found the fire alight and the kettle boiling. We sat and had a brew whilst listening to the introductions etc, these included being given a Bahco Laplander saw and a Mora knife as well as the necessary safety information to go with them. After this we were all given a tarp and some instructions regarding how/where to set them up and off we went to set up for the night.

My bed for the first night:

Top 5 Trailstar Pitches

I've had my Trailstar for nearly six months now and in that time it's been with me on pretty much every trip. I've been super impressed with how stable it is in the wind and how easy it is to set up and have really enjoyed using it. So for no real reason and in no particular order here are my top 5 Trailstar pitches to date:

Quick look - MLD DuoMid

A couple of weeks ago I took delivery of a MLD DuoMid in Cuben Fiber, It's the first shelter I've owned which is made from Cuben so I was pretty excited about receiving it. As soon as it arrived I was straight out in to the garden to try it out. 

A couple of days in the Snow

I managed to get back to the Lake District last week, a friend and I had originally planned a couple of easy days around Ennerdale with our hammocks but he was forced to cancel due to illness, as such I decided to change the plan and do a bit of walking/camping instead. Due to the late cancellation it was a bit of a last minute trip but I had a really good few days in the snow so I thought I'd share a few words and photo's from my trip. I didn't cover a massive amount of miles but the hills climbed inc Glaramara, Allen Crags, Scafells, Seat, High Crag, High Stile, and Red Pike (Buttermere).

Due to working nights on Tuesday I had a bit of a late start on the Wednesday, that and busy traffic on the way over meant I didn't leave the car until around 3 o'clock. As soon as I did though it was great to be out again and I soon got in to my stride. I made my way up to Styhead Tarn which was partially frozen and looked great in the sunshine.

First Look - Mountain Equipment Xero MM Sleeping Bag

For a while now I've been on the look out for a new lightweight sleeping bag for summer use. I really liked the look of the Rab top bag but these seem to be quite hard to come by and still command a premium second hand, the other bag I had my eye on was the PHD Minimus which I'd pretty much decided to buy, but on trip to Manchester and a visit to the Mountain Equipment (ME) store I came across the ME Xero MM bag and decided it could be the bag for me.

I didn't buy the bag there and then but was definitely intrigued by it and the possibilities for it, I returned home and scoured the net to read all I could about it. There doesn't seem to be too much info available online re these bags, but I liked what I'd seen so went ahead and ordered one which arrived yesterday.

MYOG Lantern

A while ago I decided I'd like a lantern to use in the tent/hammock/shelter etc, just something to read by and to provide a little bit of softish light for around camp or in the tent on an evening.

First Wild Camp of 2013

With a couple of days off work last week I finally had the chance to get out for my first wild camp of the new year. I decided to head to the Western Fells of the Lake District and had initially planned on a two night trip, unfortunately I needed to get some life admin done on my first day off so the trip turned in to an overnighter, but what a couple of days!