Clachnaben wild camp

The first decent spell of summer weather and it was off to Clachnaben for a wild camp with my new bivy bag (Rab Ridge Raider) and summer sleeping bag (Vango Venom 300).  I left the house at 7 pm and parked at Glen Dye car park before 8 pm.  The walk started with a walk through a lovely forest before emerging close to Glendye Lodge.  Clachnaben was visible silhouetted against the low sun that was still giving out a lot of warmth.

The path crossed Miller's Bog which was actually quite dry and some trees on the south side of Mount Shade had to be negotiated.  The map showed a path on the north side of the trees but it was pretty invisible so I took a bigger path that went through the middle of the trees.  This was hard work and my (lack of) fitness began to show.

Once past the trees the path was very clearly defined all the way to the top - lots of conservation work making the path dry but slippy in places.  By now I was feeling the pain in both my legs and lungs!  Several stops required!  Thank goodness I was on my own with no witnesses.

I made it to the top still in glorious sunshine but at the tor there was a fierce wind from the south-east.  I searched for a bivy spot and there was only one that was reasonably sheltered and flat.  Once unpacked I had a quick tour for photos at the top before the sun went down.  The sky was a beautiful orange colour and as the sky became a deeper blue I got into my bivy about 10.30 pm in order to keep warm (the temperature went down to 10 degrees overnight).

bad moon rising

The new sleeping bag was proving to be good and very soon I had to take off my second top leaving only a merino t-shirt.  Despite the wired hoop I had no sense of claustrophobia and I was glad to have made a couple of wise purchases.  However, it was strange to feel the bivy slapping my head and legs in the gusty wind.

After the usual poor sleep I was up just after sunrise to get some photos.  Breakfast was water, cereal bar and nuts - no stove on this trip.  Packing was brilliant - I rolled up the bivy bag with the sleeping bag still inside it and it easily went into the rucksack.

sunrise over north sea and aberdeen

I headed south-west on an ugly path that had been gouged out of the hill - the only saving grace was that it avoided most of the peat bogs.  

looking back east to clachnaben

Shortly the bothy at Charr came into view and what an attractive spot - clear stream, bridge, pine trees and a 5-star bothy.  I went inside and hoped I wouldn't wake anybody and thankfully it was empty.  

glen dye and charr bothy

Leaving the bothy I followed the track back along Glen Dye until it met the path I had used the day before near to Glendye Lodge.  Nearing the car I passed about 8 walkers heading out - one said he was going to Mount Battock.  It would be very hot for him!
 

pano looking north and west

Back at the car I finished my water and had a handful of nuts - what a brilliant adventure it had been.