A Quiet First Camp Of The Year

Late January and stormy weather followed a thaw of the deep snow that fell in the first half of the month. High up the snow continued but in the glens there was rain. Not wanting to battle a storm high up I decided on a quiet forest venture for my first camp of the year. Enjoying the peace of the woods was preferable to struggling through snow and mist on the tops.

As I set off the Cairngorms were hidden in cloud but the lower summit of Meall a’ Bhuchaille was a bright white cone rising above the woods, the greyness just brushing the summit. Light drizzle drifted down, enough to dampen my clothing slightly but not enough for waterproofs.

There was no snow left in the forest but Lochan Deo was still partly frozen. In places it had flooded its banks. On my last visit, in September last year, much of it had been dry (see this post – scroll down for a picture). The contrast was startling.

Rivers and streams were full too. The Am Beanaidh was roaring down under the Cambridge Club Footbridge. In September I could have easily forded it. Like this I wouldn’t consider it.

I camped on a pleasant site by some magnificent old pines. I’d used the spot several times before, most memorably in 2013 when making the Cairngorms in Winter video with Terry Abraham. On that occasion a big winter storm had forced a retreat from the Lairig Ghru. We’d camped here as it was initially quite sheltered. The storm followed us down though and we had a wild night, ending with my tent almost collapsing at dawn. (See this post for the full story).

This time the storm stayed high above. I could see the clouds tearing across the sky but down here there was no more than a light breeze and I had a peaceful night. Light rain fell, so light that I couldn’t hear it on the flysheet.

At dawn there were patches of blue sky and as I started to walk back out of the forest the sun shone briefly, turning the trees warm and glowing. This didn’t last and soon the sky was overcast with light rain falling again.

Reaching Loch an Eilein I was suddenly exposed to the storm which was funnelling down the loch. The water was choppy with waves crashing on the shore. A flock of Mallard ducks bobbed on the water. I was lashed by rain and wind. Once back in the trees all was calm again.

Soon I was back at the car, reflecting on a low-key but pleasant and satisfying first trip of the year.

I made a little video of the trip with a look at the tent and stove I used.