Well, after much fevered planning (and hence, my absence from the net for a while *s*), I've finally got another trip in the wilderness planned for the early summer.
Some friends and I are going to Skye (an island off the west coast of Scotland, for all you auslanders) for four days, and hopefully taking in the entire Black Cuillin ridge as part of a walking programme that will no doubt include much debauchery, small critters barbecued al fresco and much, much intake of fine malt whisky.
The reason I'm letting you all know is that we're planning to spend at least two nights outside, without benefit of the traditional highland B&B and all the amenities therein.
This may not seem like a hazardous undertaking, but if you've ever been walking on a serious level in Scotland, especially the West coast, you'll know that to be complacent is to court disaster - people continue to die of exposure in the height of summer. It's often said that in Scotland, don't have seasons, we have weather, and I've seen it change quick enough to give disbelieving American tourists sweating their way up the tourist path on Ben Nevis the fright of their lives.
So, shelters must be constructed, and here's where my beloved khukuri comes in...
(as an aside, I've given in and started spelling it 'khukuri', NOT the traditional British Army 'kukri', as there's a Nepalses restaurant in Edinburgh by that name, and well, they know better than I do.)
Much chopping, butchery, whittling, and firewood collecting to be done over the weekend... I'll take photos of what should be a really enjoyable trip, and stick them up here... apart from anything else, you should see the views from the top of Sgurr Alasdair - they're awe-inspiring...
One final thing... is anyone else here familiar with the delights of PLCE webbing? if so, I'm customising mine and wouldn't mind a bit of feedback.
regards,
-cub
Some friends and I are going to Skye (an island off the west coast of Scotland, for all you auslanders) for four days, and hopefully taking in the entire Black Cuillin ridge as part of a walking programme that will no doubt include much debauchery, small critters barbecued al fresco and much, much intake of fine malt whisky.
The reason I'm letting you all know is that we're planning to spend at least two nights outside, without benefit of the traditional highland B&B and all the amenities therein.
This may not seem like a hazardous undertaking, but if you've ever been walking on a serious level in Scotland, especially the West coast, you'll know that to be complacent is to court disaster - people continue to die of exposure in the height of summer. It's often said that in Scotland, don't have seasons, we have weather, and I've seen it change quick enough to give disbelieving American tourists sweating their way up the tourist path on Ben Nevis the fright of their lives.
So, shelters must be constructed, and here's where my beloved khukuri comes in...
(as an aside, I've given in and started spelling it 'khukuri', NOT the traditional British Army 'kukri', as there's a Nepalses restaurant in Edinburgh by that name, and well, they know better than I do.)
Much chopping, butchery, whittling, and firewood collecting to be done over the weekend... I'll take photos of what should be a really enjoyable trip, and stick them up here... apart from anything else, you should see the views from the top of Sgurr Alasdair - they're awe-inspiring...
One final thing... is anyone else here familiar with the delights of PLCE webbing? if so, I'm customising mine and wouldn't mind a bit of feedback.
regards,
-cub
