Monday 11 August 2014

Exploring the West Coast (Scotland)


Just back from a 4 day short trip exploring the West Coast around Applecross/Ullapool. Went on my own on a 19992 DR650 which was ideal for the roads in the area.

First day was from Troon to Applecross going across on the Dunoon ferry, through Inverary, Glen Orchy, Ft William, Lochcarron etc.

On the Dunoon Ferry, Looks Like Rain!!


Glen Orchy

Clunie Dam, Raining Again but a Chance to get 'Off-Road'



Back In The Sunshine 
Rain Again? Surely Not.
Bealach na Ba

Applecross Campsite

Potatoes On the Boil


Day 2 took me to Torridon , Lower Diabeg, Poolewe, down to a disused WW2 coastal battery at the mouth of Loch Ewe and from there to Ullapool.

Turn Left Past The Applecross Inn and Keep Going

Turn Left At Torridon, 9 Miles Down and 9 Back to Lower Diabeg

Lower Diabeg

Looking Towards Torridon on the Road Back from Lower Diabeg

Beinn Eighe
Gairloch

WW2 Coastal Battery, Loch Ewe

Memorial to Those Who Lost Their Lives on the Arctic Convoys, One wreath was to those lost on the HMS Maharatta 

Broomfield Campsite
MSR Whisperlite Intl, and Trangia 27 Kettle, 25+ Years Old and Still Going Strong
Loch Broom

Day 3 was the start of the return route, I went from Ullapool across the country to Muir of Ord, Beauly, along Glen Affric to Cannich and from there to Drumnadrochit and on to Ft William.

Tim & Nick, Father and Son from North Dakota, talking Bikes in Drumnadrochit

Cooking Under the Flysheet in Glen Nevis


Relaxing, lying on half of the 'Footprint' 
 
The Best Motorcycle Boots I've ever had, Haix Goretex Lined, German Army Issue. Waterproof & Breathable 10/10  

Still Raining


Standing Water in the porch at @5.00am After 12 hours of persistent rain followed by a Thunderstorm.

Stopped Raining at Last.

The last day saw me leave Ft William and go by Glencoe, a detour down to Loch Etive and back then continuing along Loch Lomond, over the Erskine bridge and down to Troon via Greenock, Inverkip etc.

Stopped for Lunch at Glencoe 

Glen Etive

Glen Etive

Glen Etive



The advantage of having going lightweight when backpacking was that my gear fitted in a 35L roll bag and small ammunition box which I'd bolted to my luggage rack. That might seem like a fairly large amount of kit but on a motorcycle I need to carry tools and spares that I wouldn't carry when walking. I also took real cooking kit including a Petrol Stove (I can use fuel from the bike) so that I could actually cook rather than use freeze dried meals.

My gear was all stuff I've used in the past, still using the Phreeranger in spite of having bought a TN Laser Comp, Wild Country Zephyros 1 and Robens Mythos Solo since I last posted on the blog. I also used my PHD Ultra Minim, a Multimat Self inflate mat and MSR Whisperlite. The only problem I had was after the thunderstorm in Ft William, the sewn-in groundsheet on the Phreeranger isn't waterproof but I've always managed using a Silnylon footprint. Unfortunately during the 5.00am thunderstorm the ground couldn't take the amount of rain and with about half an inch of standing water it got between the footprint and sewn-in groundsheet and then soaked through to the inner. Thankfully my kit remained dry (the important stuff anyway) as I was on the sleeping mat, only my bike jacket and trousers were slightly wet. It's something that needs sorted properly though but in the meantime I'll have to use the Robens Mythos Solo even if it is a significantly smaller than the Phreeranger.

12 comments:

  1. Welcome back :-)

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    1. Thanks, I know it's probably something that isn't of interest to most of the folks like yourself who followed the blog in the past. Had a bad couple of years due to life being what it is, I'm just happy to get away for a few days any way I can.

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  2. Great to see your posting again RMac, always enjoyed your reports.
    Using the motorbike you certainly get some miles covered, and good to see the Phoenix going strong. We wont start another conversation of 'why does no-one make these now with modern materials'... :-D
    El Manana

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    Replies
    1. LOL, no I think we've done that one to death a few times :-)

      Come to think of it, why does no one make a .................... ;-)

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  3. According to this thread...
    http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/classifieds-section/wanted-phoenix-phreeranger-tent/63560.html
    Www.trekkertent.com do Phoenix refurbishments of some description....might be worth an enquiry.
    Regards
    El M

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for that, I'll have to e-mail them to see what exactly it is they're doing.

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  4. Welcome back from us too.
    Looks like a very appealing return from the pictures.

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  5. £170 for new fly r_Mac, 300g lighter:
    http://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/10-phoenix-phreeranger-replacement-flysheet.html
    Read about it here:
    http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/gear/restoring-an-old-tent-am-i-mad/62707-2.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for the link, I've been in touch with Trekkertent, as you may have seen the also offer the EB version of the Phreeranger, I guess someone must have sent an Phreeranger EB to use as a pattern ;-)

      I'm extremely grateful to you for the heads up, this will certainly be my last solo tent, :-)

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  6. Great R_Mac :-) are you getting an inner made as well?
    Make sure you get some pics posted, I'm very interested... I'd be great to think full phreerangers and phreebooters might be available in the future.
    El M

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    Replies
    1. If possible it'll be a complete new tent, as soon as I can I'll get some pics and a write up done. Can't wait.

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