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@M_V
There's lots of threads about long tours that people have been on but I reckoned it'd be good to have a place to discuss the smaller trips we are taking.
My tales might need to be inspiration for a longer trip for some of you guys but for those that are in (or at least not at the other end of the country from) London I figure a thread like this might be good so people can pick up ideas of routes/destinations etc. Also probably a good place to discuss equipment etc in relation to shorter trips.
On that last note, I have definitely yet to master the art of packing light. My kit has been bought on something of a budget so I haven't got a nice down sleeping bag that packs away tiny etc but I also figure that I could try and pack a lot less than I do and 'rough it' or I can take my tent and my big warm sleeping bag and the kitchen sink and enjoy my nights away a bit more. I did consider a bivvybag when I was buying the tent I got (Jack Wolfskin Gossamer) but given the run ins I've had with the midges I'm glad I decided to get the tent!
Until this year I hadn't been camping or even slept in a tent since doing so as a child so I'm definitely still finding my feet. That's probably the main reason I've only done single night trips, I hope to make some longer trips next year. The other reason I think I've only done single nights so far is that I go solo, I don't have any mates that are into touring/camping etc.
My first trip, camping on the shore of Loch Arklet with no midge repellant and nothing to start a fire, a couple lessons quickly learned there,
Camping beside River Almond between Newtonbridge and Loch Tay,
See what I said about not packing light, this was on the way to Loch Arklet again and this time I came back the very narrow and technical bit of singletrack that forms the West Highland Way between Inversnaid and Rowardennan, what a nightmare!
I'm planning to ride that bit of the WHW again but to stay in a backpacking hostel in Inversnaid this time rather than camping.