Wildcamping

[Ant]

As mentioned in my blog, I'd like to go to Scotland to do some wildcamping next summer. However, as I've never done any wildcamping before I'd like some info on any easy routes I could take. I am unsure what the timescale would be, Probably 2-4 nights on a circular route from a train station.

To make it easier for me I would prefer to stay low level but would be willing to take in some easy hills/mountains.

[MariaD]

Any preferred area? Corrour Station might be a good place to start a circular wildcamp route. You'd have a choice of sticking to the valleys or up the hills & you could head over the Mamores, or up to the Grey Corries. The accessible routes in that area are walks rather than scrambles, but they will be strenuous. To make it slightly easier on the legs, you could set up one or more base camps during your trip rather than carting your tent to the summits.

http://streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=235480&y=766360&z=5&sv=235480,766360&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=235480&ay=766360

However, if you really want easy routes, you might be best off sticking to the Trossachs area, where the hills tend to be smaller & more accessible. Tarbet or Crianlarich would be good starting points for there.

[MariaD]

Once you've decided your rough area, buy the OS map for it and work out something linking footpaths together to make something that looks fun. Whatever route you decide to take, make sure you have a shorter & easier alternative for if the weather turns foul!

I always think that half the fun of planning trips like this is poring over the map and imagining what it all looks like on the ground.... I often deviate from my planned route on the spur of the moment, but that's what I love about the hills.

[Ant]

Thanks Maria.

So, If I start planning for the summer now, I'll be able to spend plenty of time studying the map of the chosen area.....Sounds good.

As for carrying everything. well, I plan to get the vaude taurus ultralight and a lightwaight summer sleeping bag.

[Ant]

Well, I think I shall go to the Corrour Station area.
Now just need to plan everything.

[MariaD]

Fantastic - have you set a date yet?

Have fun and let us all know how it went when you get back.

[Ant]

I'll probably go in august when I'm off.

I need to buy an os map/s of the area still though, so I'll still need to come up with a routeplan.

[Special_K]

Hey all, thougth I may as well throw one in here.

Going up to the lakes for some wild camping 29th 30th Dec with the plan of going up Scafell before the end of the year. Any suggestions welcome for wild camping spots.

Thanks

[MariaD]

If you're planning to go up Scafell, there are 2 spots I would recommend - either somewhere around Great Moss (loads of good spots there, although it can be boggy in places) or off to the SE of Sprinkling Tarn (on the other side of the big bump there's a nice flat bit just before the steep drop & path heading NE). I wouldn't camp right by the side of the tarn as it's used too often by other people and might be unhygienic. You should have the hill to yourself at night in December though.

[Special_K]

Fantastic Maria :D will look at those spots on a map and see how they fit in with my route planning to take.

Yeah can't imagine many crazy people like me being out there that time in December :)

[Ollie]

This is where we organise a GoXplore meetup on the 29th - 30th December on Scafell... :p

[MariaD]

I would definitely come if I hadn't already booked a cottage in the Cairngorms for that week! It's a great hardship, I know... :p

[Ant]

Prob give this a miss now. Can't really afford to go, will stick to Wales... Clocaenog forest should be a good place (100 square km of open access forest... surely I can find some quiet spot in there).