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Outdoor Section => The Outdoor and Survival Forum => Topic started by: Gareth on October 29, 2011, 03:13:24 PM

Title: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 29, 2011, 03:13:24 PM: Just thought I'd stick up a few shots from my last little trip away, into the Cairngorm hills this time.

Day one started of a little misty.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/011.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/015.jpg)

After a bit of a hike I was very glad to find this nice stone shelter at the top of the hill, especially as the wind was up a bit by this point. settled down to make myself a cup of coffee. :)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/022.jpg)
Better weather on the way though.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/020.jpg)

Lunch was inspired by Mike's eating habits. :D
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/034.jpg)

Day two was an altogether brighter day.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/040.jpg)
A wonderfully green loch.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/047.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/048.jpg)

Just to prove I was there. ;)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/066.jpg)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: nuphoria on October 29, 2011, 04:08:02 PM: How very lovely :)

That mist looks like smoke!
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on October 29, 2011, 04:47:15 PM: Yay, good to see you eating the food of champion mate :D

Stunning senery mate, must of been a good recharge for the soul :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Sean on October 29, 2011, 05:01:58 PM: Nice shots! I love the woods and spend a fair bit of time out gathering sticks and hiking around.
It's quite amazing how similar the area you took pictures of match the area around me here in
the Cascade mountain range of British Columbia. :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: MultiMat on October 29, 2011, 05:25:20 PM: Gareth beautiful scenery mate 8).
Did it get very cold at night :think: :think:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 29, 2011, 06:15:07 PM: Quote from: MultiMat on October 29, 2011, 05:25:20 PM
Gareth beautiful scenery mate 8).
Did it get very cold at night :think: :think:
not as cold as it's going to get, but yeah, pretty nippy.(http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/075/2/3/Cold_by_pro_amateur.gif)
Quote from: Sean on October 29, 2011, 05:01:58 PM
Nice shots! I love the woods and spend a fair bit of time out gathering sticks and hiking around.
It's quite amazing how similar the area you took pictures of match the area around me here in
the Cascade mountain range of British Columbia. :tu:
Well, in theory we're both in the Boreal Forest so I guess it's not a total surprise. Sadly though there really isn't much natural woodland left in Scotland and most of the 'forests' would better be described as 'tree fields'.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: badwolf on October 29, 2011, 07:12:14 PM: Lovely pics, looks like you had a great time :tu: and a good old pot noodle, home from home then ;)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: J-sews on October 29, 2011, 10:46:31 PM: Looks like you had a good time Gareth! :cheers: Did you meet many other hikers along the trail? (in my area, the trails are teeming with people June through August, but come September and October I pretty much have the backwoods to myself) :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 30, 2011, 12:28:56 AM: Quote from: J-sews on October 29, 2011, 10:46:31 PM
Looks like you had a good time Gareth! :cheers: Did you meet many other hikers along the trail? (in my area, the trails are teeming with people June through August, but come September and October I pretty much have the backwoods to myself) :)

I think the good weather must have encouraged folks out as there were lots of others out and about. Nice to see people of all ages as well, from young kids with their parents to old couples. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 30, 2011, 07:50:35 AM: Pot Noodle.. :ahhh

Very nice Gareth :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Sparky415 on October 30, 2011, 08:17:30 AM: Looks like a great trip and judging by your smile you had a good time :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 31, 2011, 06:31:20 AM: What stove are you using Gareth? It looks like a Monatauk Squall to me.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 31, 2011, 08:18:53 AM: Quote from: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 31, 2011, 06:31:20 AM
What stove are you using Gareth? It looks like a Monatauk Squall to me.
Not quite, though it does look near identical to that, the cut outs on the pot support arms are different. Mine is a Vango Compact: http://www.vango.co.uk/accessories/compact-gas-stove.html (http://www.vango.co.uk/accessories/compact-gas-stove.html)

I'm guessing that it's a re-branded generic product though, rather than something Vango have produced themselves. Whatever, it's cheap, light and works well. :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Threeme2189 on October 31, 2011, 12:30:49 PM: Quote from: Gareth on October 31, 2011, 08:18:53 AM
Quote from: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 31, 2011, 06:31:20 AM
What stove are you using Gareth? It looks like a Monatauk Squall to me.
Not quite, though it does look near identical to that, the cut outs on the pot support arms are different. Mine is a Vango Compact: http://www.vango.co.uk/accessories/compact-gas-stove.html (http://www.vango.co.uk/accessories/compact-gas-stove.html)

I'm guessing that it's a re-branded generic product though, rather than something Vango have produced themselves. Whatever, it's cheap, light and works well. :tu:

I think you're correct because I have that exact model, and it doesn't have "Vango" printed on it anywhere.
They do work well though :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 31, 2011, 02:02:39 PM: I've had my eye on one. I was wondering if the baffles make it more wind resistant as claimed.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 31, 2011, 07:33:18 PM: Quote from: Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! on October 31, 2011, 02:02:39 PM
I've had my eye on one. I was wondering if the baffles make it more wind resistant as claimed.

well I've never used it in a hurricane, but it does stand up to a good bit of a breeze without going out. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Millhouse on October 31, 2011, 11:20:08 PM: Nice pics. Can't believe you'd eat a pot noodle.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on October 31, 2011, 11:28:22 PM: Quote from: Millhouse on October 31, 2011, 11:20:08 PM
Nice pics. Can't believe you'd eat a pot noodle.
my only defence is that I had a bit of a cold and might not have been in my right mind. :-[
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: J-sews on November 03, 2011, 02:26:00 AM: Oooh, I forgot to ask about water. Did you use tablets Gareth, or a purifier? (and if so, which model?)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: theonew on November 03, 2011, 03:43:50 AM: Nice pics :tu:

I'm very jealous, haven't been out in awhile :ahhh
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on November 03, 2011, 05:56:17 AM: Quote from: J-sews on November 03, 2011, 02:26:00 AM
Oooh, I forgot to ask about water. Did you use tablets Gareth, or a purifier? (and if so, which model?)
I use chlorine based tablets. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: J-sews on November 04, 2011, 03:23:22 AM: Quote from: Gareth on November 03, 2011, 05:56:17 AM
Quote from: J-sews on November 03, 2011, 02:26:00 AM
Oooh, I forgot to ask about water. Did you use tablets Gareth, or a purifier? (and if so, which model?)
I use chlorine based tablets. :)

Ahhh, okay. I tried them once on a 5-day camping trip. They made the water taste kinda icky. :P It was okay for rehydrating meals or in hot chocolate, but the just plain water wasn't very pleasant to drink. :-\
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on November 04, 2011, 04:17:11 AM: Are you going on said 5 day trip this year? Its getting to be about that time...

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: J-sews on November 04, 2011, 04:59:21 AM: Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on November 04, 2011, 04:17:11 AM
Are you going on said 5 day trip this year? Its getting to be about that time...

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

They left for the island last Sunday, and they are due to come back on Saturday. Maybe I'll make it next year. :-\
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on November 04, 2011, 08:16:36 AM: Quote from: J-sews on November 04, 2011, 03:23:22 AM
Quote from: Gareth on November 03, 2011, 05:56:17 AM
Quote from: J-sews on November 03, 2011, 02:26:00 AM
Oooh, I forgot to ask about water. Did you use tablets Gareth, or a purifier? (and if so, which model?)
I use chlorine based tablets. :)

Ahhh, okay. I tried them once on a 5-day camping trip. They made the water taste kinda icky. :P It was okay for rehydrating meals or in hot chocolate, but the just plain water wasn't very pleasant to drink. :-\
It's true. :-\ I gotta say though I don't mind the taste so much, but if you really can't stand it you can get a 'neutraliser' tablet as well. Just let the chlorine tablet work for ten minutes and then add a neutraliser to take away the taste. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 16, 2011, 10:48:00 PM: I want to go there! Great pics Gareth. I might be mad, but i like camping/bush walking in the cold. Bleach works and is heaps cheap.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 12:28:10 AM: Cheers Peter. I'm definitely a cold weather walker myself, if it's snowing then all the better. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 17, 2011, 12:39:54 AM: Quote from: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 12:28:10 AM
Cheers Peter. I'm definitely a cold weather walker myself, if it's snowing then all the better. :)
Now your talking Gareth camping in the snow is the best. Before i F up my knee i use to do cross country sking/camping had soooo much fun. :cheers:Peter
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 01:03:01 AM: Here's a pic from a few years back, not that you can tell but I'm the one in the middle. :D

(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/CIMG0442.jpg)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 17, 2011, 01:23:08 AM: Now thats cool :D
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Heinz Doofenshmirtz on December 17, 2011, 01:33:32 AM: Gareth, I'm jealous!... I've been jonesing to learn to snowshoe and get out into the Sierras or the Trinities this winter... Don't think I'm going to have time this year though. :-[

Your stove reminds me I need to get a new compact system... my 20 year old Whisperlight is on its deathbed, literally sputtering and coughing trying to stay alive... I'm planning on a small JetBoil system. I normally dislike canister based stoves, but I'm older now and getting lazy and don't want to have to hassle with external fuel bottles anymore. And the JetBoils are very compact, light, and high powered.

And I'd love to go to Scotland some time... seems like it's still a pretty beautiful place. :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: badwolf on December 17, 2011, 10:00:29 PM: Quote from: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 12:28:10 AM
Cheers Peter. I'm definitely a cold weather walker myself, if it's snowing then all the better. :)
So I'm not the only looney, this was last year :tu:
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168227_173142472721711_100000778793894_345879_2540391_n.jpg)
Yep, shorts pretty much all year, what ever the weather :P
Quote from: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 01:03:01 AM
Here's a pic from a few years back, not that you can tell but I'm the one in the middle. :D

(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/CIMG0442.jpg)
This looks lovely, where is it :think:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 17, 2011, 10:45:14 PM: That was in the Cairngorms. :)

Here's a couple from two years ago, one of the most exhausting hikes I've ever done. By the end of it I'd pretty much lost the use of my legs. One of life's experiences that is far more enjoyable in hindsight rather than 'live'. ;)

(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/GEDC1130.jpg)

(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/GEDC1155.jpg)

this was on a hike between Mallaig and Glenfinnan.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on December 17, 2011, 11:04:34 PM: I want to get some proper hikes in once my backs better :)

Stunning scenery Gareth mate
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 18, 2011, 09:32:53 AM: I could move to Scotland just stunning. I do have a bit of Scottish blood running through my veins.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 18, 2011, 10:45:33 AM: I will admit I'm giving you lot the edited highlights. ;) I've done one of these trips where it did nothing but rain, hard, for 24 hours. :-\
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 18, 2011, 10:58:09 AM: All i ever remember is the highlights ;).
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 18, 2011, 11:06:35 AM: Quote from: Peter on December 18, 2011, 10:58:09 AM
All i ever remember is the highlights ;).
which is exactly why I can persuade myself to keep doing it every year. :D
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 18, 2011, 11:23:12 AM: Cool shorts Badwolf, nothing worse than wet cuffs.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Heinz Doofenshmirtz on December 19, 2011, 12:08:28 AM: Quote from: Peter on December 18, 2011, 11:23:12 AM
Cool shorts Badwolf, nothing worse than wet cuffs.

Thats' what gaiters are for!
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 19, 2011, 12:47:57 AM: Quote from: Heinz Doofenshmirtz on December 19, 2011, 12:08:28 AM
Quote from: Peter on December 18, 2011, 11:23:12 AM
Cool shorts Badwolf, nothing worse than wet cuffs.

Thats' what gaiters are for!
(http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/070/c/6/_nod_by_sml_e.gif)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Peter on December 19, 2011, 08:16:13 AM: I don't know i must just be a short man :D.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Sparky415 on December 19, 2011, 02:23:22 PM: I feel sorry for the dog! :o
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: badwolf on December 19, 2011, 07:22:21 PM: Quote from: sparky415 on December 19, 2011, 02:23:22 PM
I feel sorry for the dog! :o
She was okay, loves the snow, not so keen on the rain :tu: more pics here (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.173142436055048.32488.100000778793894&type=3) and here (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.173146826054609.32490.100000778793894&type=3) these are mainly from last year, some older ones too, don't use the FB much :)
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Screwtape on December 19, 2011, 08:24:35 PM: Quote from: Gareth on October 29, 2011, 03:13:24 PM
A wonderfully green loch.
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/047.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Scenery/048.jpg)

Great thread, sorry to be a bit late to the party great photos and I was wondering where's the loch? It looks similar to a place just south of Aviemore that I know. :think:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 19, 2011, 08:32:17 PM: Well it is close to Aviemore, but I'd say it's out to the East rather than the South. It's called "An Lochan Uaine" which, I am told, basically translates as "the green loch". :D
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Screwtape on December 20, 2011, 12:25:35 AM: Not the loch I thought it was, having checked the map it's a bit further out than I've ventured. Great spot mind, I'm genuinely envious
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Screwtape on December 20, 2011, 10:47:50 AM: (http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v151/195/51/694372048/n694372048_418784_2720.jpg)
Here's where I thought it might have been, believe it or not this was taken in late November about 4 years back. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather, a great place and some great times.
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: badwolf on December 21, 2011, 07:17:39 PM: Quote from: Screwtape on December 20, 2011, 10:47:50 AM
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v151/195/51/694372048/n694372048_418784_2720.jpg)
Here's where I thought it might have been, believe it or not this was taken in late November about 4 years back. Beautiful scenery and beautiful weather, a great place and some great times.
I love scenes like this, thanks for sharing :tu:
Title: Re: A couple of days away.
Post by: Gareth on December 21, 2011, 07:45:40 PM: well I can easily see why you'd think it was the same place, they're incredibly similar. :o

I had to double check where An Lochan Uaine is, luckily my memory is about right and it's out to the East of Aviemore.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Lochan+Uaine,+Cairngorms+National+Park,+Moray+AB37,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=57.188367,-3.644714&spn=0.405563,1.352692&geocode=FUkbaQMdrb7L_w&hnear=Lochan+Uaine&t=m&z=10&vpsrc=6 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Lochan+Uaine,+Cairngorms+National+Park,+Moray+AB37,+United+Kingdom&hl=en&ll=57.188367,-3.644714&spn=0.405563,1.352692&geocode=FUkbaQMdrb7L_w&hnear=Lochan+Uaine&t=m&z=10&vpsrc=6)