walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilderness

Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilderness


Postby Petr Dakota » Mon Jul 20, 2020 10:34 pm

Route description: An Sgarsoch and Càrn an Fhidhleir

Munros included on this walk: Càrn an Fhìdhleir (Càrn Ealar)

Date walked: 20/07/2020

Distance: 41 km

Ascent: 694m

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Movie of the Adventure - Night in the Wilderness, great pitch-view point:




Finally Lockdown lifted and the rules allowed to enjoy the oudoor fully again ! After the day out with my daughter Cheyenne in Glencoe & Glen Nevis incl. Steall Falls shortly after the lift and then our family hike on Ben Vrackie another week I had the opportunity to do something longer where I can stay one night. Because of upgrading some of my camping stuff, which I tried only in our garden during the lockdown, I was excited to go to the mountains and test it properly in the wilderness ! :D Decision made and after checking the weather which was not so good for the sunday, but offered some dry and clear hours in the South of Cairngorms, I planned the trip and wanted to enjoy as much freedom as possible so an remote area with the feelings of solitude would be the best ! Unfortunately the lockdown lifted, but the weather got back to the "normal" in the same time as we axperienced probably the best sunny and dry days in the time of restrictions...but nothing can stop us now, after the long time of waiting !


Photo - story:

20200719_085902.jpg
Nice nature friendly mini memorial just before Braemar
20200719_085824.jpg
20200719_091003.jpg
Beautiful place for the headstone between Braemar and Inverey
20200719_095122.jpg
Linn of Dee car park, ready to go !
20200719_100750.jpg
Initial view just after the forest
20200719_101915.jpg
Along the way...
20200719_102631.jpg
20200719_102850.jpg
Very long way ahead !
20200719_104334.jpg
Sign of the previous winds
20200719_104442.jpg
20200719_113505.jpg
...a few miles later
20200719_113958.jpg
The ruins of Ruigh nan Clach
20200719_115125.jpg
Bothy in the view
20200719_115145.jpg
closer...
20200719_115845.jpg
...and from behind
20200719_120413.jpg
the Bothy back in the distance...
20200719_121506.jpg
Waterproof on as weather was changing many times, sun, rain, wind, fog, clear again...and again...and again...
20200719_123911.jpg
Spotted the forest and after checking the map, which shows it's the last one on the way, decision made - probably best place for the night !
20200719_125611.jpg
This would be the place...
20200719_125617.jpg
...with this view !
20200719_140309.jpg
Done !
20200719_135244.jpg
The forest is a great shelter from the rain and wind, it has hard and dry ground and hidden from the road view
20200719_135315.jpg
20200719_135352.jpg
happy with the viewpoint also !
20200719_143305.jpg
Camouflage :-)
20200719_200702.jpg
Can you spot it ? Jus if you know about it ;-)
20200719_150405.jpg
Time ( limited ) to continue towards the hills
20200719_152213.jpg
Geldie Lodge ruin
20200719_152320.jpg
Looking back, hill"walkers" left their bikes there...
20200719_152354.jpg
Another angle a few metres later
20200719_162300.jpg
Closer to Carn an Fhidhleir
20200719_164440.jpg
The pathless, boggy terrain later on
20200719_172357.jpg
Looking back from the slope...there is my tent in the forest in the distance
20200719_173238.jpg
Sometimes dry...and sometimes wet !
20200719_173756.jpg
far from the tent
20200719_195815.jpg
...and back, closer to the tent again !
20200719_201842.jpg
Time to enjoy the camping ;-)
20200719_205607.jpg
...and relax
20200720_065530.jpg
No trace left in the morning
20200720_074042.jpg
It was a great trip, enjoyed my solo wild camping after many years as I'm mostly doing one day trips ( with crazy night starts if distance to get back home the same day and caring about my daughter Cheyenne ).
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Mon Jul 27, 2020 7:56 pm, edited 5 times in total.
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby sultan » Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:20 am

Loved this with the music. These hills are certainly in 'the big country'.
User avatar
sultan
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 6
Munros:282   Corbetts:1
Fionas:1   
Sub 2000:12   
Islands:12
Joined: Oct 8, 2012

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:48 pm

sultan wrote:Loved this with the music. These hills are certainly in 'the big country'.

Thank you :D
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Sgurr » Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:06 pm

A long carry in. Couldn't persuade my husband to repeat these with me, so had to do them solo on a bike...almost wrecked my tourer as this was pre my mountain bike. Think your way would have been better as at least you got a nice camp. if not an orchestra.
User avatar
Sgurr
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 5679
Munros:282   Corbetts:222
Fionas:219   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:569   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:58
Joined: Nov 15, 2010
Location: Fife

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Sunset tripper » Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:08 pm

A great adventure petr, and great video also.
That looks like a cracking sleeping mat too. :thumbup:

What is it and how heavy, if you know? Cheers :D
User avatar
Sunset tripper
 
Posts: 2965
Joined: Nov 3, 2013
Location: Inverness

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Marty_JG » Wed Jul 22, 2020 2:31 pm

The mat looks like a generic Chinese one, £30, they're about 650 grams.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Deeplee-Inflatable-interconnected-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/B07RGD799B/

There are also some large/curved £45 Trekology pads, about 550 grams, that a lot of people are liking:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Trekology-Camping-Mat-Sleeping-Mattress/dp/B07N4KK854/
User avatar
Marty_JG
Backpacker
 
Posts: 1223
Munros:10   Corbetts:2
Fionas:2   
Sub 2000:3   
Islands:3
Joined: Sep 12, 2016
Location: Glasgow

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:47 pm

Sgurr wrote:A long carry in. Couldn't persuade my husband to repeat these with me, so had to do them solo on a bike...almost wrecked my tourer as this was pre my mountain bike. Think your way would have been better as at least you got a nice camp. if not an orchestra.

The bike is really useful on this route to do the two Munros in one day and still keep some energy after :) I was optimistic to walk so far with the heavy stuff as I did not want to stay too close of Linn of Dee where some campers had the base, I wanted to enjoy the solitude for my camping, the forest was best option in the weather, didn't fancy to wake up on opened windy area and very wet grass. My later start from the car park and my reduced fitness level after the 4 month of gap as I must admit, allowed me just to get close to the 1st summit, then turned back to at least enjoy the relaxing camping as it was something I missed for years :roll: :lol: Shame, so close, but the Munros will wait for next and it will be as light packing as possible :lol: Bike considering, but still prefer the walk in...
I had dilemma if continue to finish the two then get back to my tent in darkness and just sleep, but carrying it all so far camping was priority after many years, to enjoy more in the rest of daylight. The lack of time and also my energy gone in the steeper pathless slope...

I enjoyed the camping in the peace of forest and the opened views, great refresh ! :D
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Fri Jul 24, 2020 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Fri Jul 24, 2020 7:03 pm

Sunset tripper wrote:A great adventure petr, and great video also.
That looks like a cracking sleeping mat too. :thumbup:

What is it and how heavy, if you know? Cheers :D

Thank you :D Despite the light matt the rucksack was still too heavy especially after the long gap :lol: :lol: :lol:

I used this one: TRINORDIC Forest Green Ultra Light 520g
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRINORDIC-Ultralight-Inflatable-Lightweight-Backpacking/dp/B07X6RCM9M/ref=sr_1_3?crid=Y2DCLGSI3DD1&dchild=1&keywords=trinordic+camping+mat&qid=1595613484&s=sports&sprefix=trinordi%2Csports%2C148&sr=1-3

Really happy with. light and comfortable :thumbup: and THIS PRODUCT PLANTS ONE TREE :D
Thanks for watching the video
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Fri Jul 24, 2020 7:06 pm

Marty_JG wrote:The mat looks like a generic Chinese one, £30, they're about 650 grams.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Deeplee-Inflatable-interconnected-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/B07RGD799B/

There are also some large/curved £45 Trekology pads, about 550 grams, that a lot of people are liking:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Trekology-Camping-Mat-Sleeping-Mattress/dp/B07N4KK854/


As above :wink:
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:33 pm

Just added photos and descriptions finally, after the lack of free time
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Mon Aug 17, 2020 12:42 pm

Wow ... beautifully put together. We had to laugh at this because we just got home from a very similar trip yesterday. Your report doesn't mention the midges :shock: :shock: :shock: Never in my life have I suffered such a sustained midgie attack - hot weather, no wind and bog - they loved it, and me :lol: :lol: (I look like a bad case of measles :lol: )

Massive walk after months of lockdown though, thank you for taking the photos and the movie :clap: :clap:
User avatar
Huff_n_Puff
Walker
 
Posts: 1083
Munros:278   Corbetts:20
Fionas:10   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:19   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:1   Islands:19
Joined: Apr 13, 2012

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby R1ggered » Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:16 pm

Great viewing again Petr. :clap:
R1ggered
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 130
Munros:175   
Joined: Nov 28, 2012

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Aug 18, 2020 5:54 pm

Huff_n_Puff wrote:Wow ... beautifully put together. We had to laugh at this because we just got home from a very similar trip yesterday. Your report doesn't mention the midges :shock: :shock: :shock: Never in my life have I suffered such a sustained midgie attack - hot weather, no wind and bog - they loved it, and me :lol: :lol: (I look like a bad case of measles :lol: )

Massive walk after months of lockdown though, thank you for taking the photos and the movie :clap: :clap:

Thank you for watching the movie :) I was lucky to manage it without the midges :D I think the wind helped a lot so no any problem with them that time there :lol: :lol: :lol:
But one week ago on Ben Wyvis with my daughter Cheyenne, it was a different story !!! :roll: Midges everywhere, giving us the pace...any stop or any slowing down was properly rewarded by their "massage" :lol: My both hands are still spotty and itchy up to elbow :lol: :shock: :lol: :crazy: :lol: :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Aug 18, 2020 5:55 pm

R1ggered wrote:Great viewing again Petr. :clap:

Thank you :)
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Solo Wildcamping in remote Mountains,41 km in the Wilder

Postby ere1 » Wed Aug 19, 2020 1:49 pm

Hi Petr,

What a nice walk! For now, I will not be able to enjoy hiking or swimming in the Highlands. I'll catch up with all that I have missed in Scotland, when the Coronavirus is past and it is safe to go again. By the way, I like your hip flask. :wink:

Peter
User avatar
ere1
Walker
 
Posts: 233
Munros:51   Corbetts:2
Sub 2000:1   
Islands:7
Joined: Mar 23, 2013
Location: Rijswijk, The Netherlands

8 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: FraserHughes, Graeme D, Inyergub and 73 guests