Hi VVS, they're actually not that bad in the experiences I have had. I do tend to find the direction the wind is coming from and aim the foot corner (where the white stripe touches the corner) into the wind. Between that and the side guys on top of the walking poles, it does hold up well. I have experienced a little guy line slip when you have the combo of wind and rain but that has been less than I can care to consider. Overall, I would say that this is better suited to low level / sheltered spots rather than winter summits where a geodesic frame would suit better. I hope this helps a little.

Hey Robbie, that's amazing to hear for me and I'm just glad I've got my research right. It's an awesome ruin and a phenomenal example of a castle from this period. What a job you have, to look after castles! I'm sure there's worse things in the world to do. Is there any others that you look after in that area that you would recommend I visit next? I'm always looking for places to explore so I'm open to your recommendations. Thanks for watching and I'm glad I've described it well.

Firstly, congratulations on completing the route!! It's a fantastic achievement and even more so when solo. I found it one of the best (if not the best) walking experience I have had to date and often think about this trip. I'm glad to hear that you liked the series as I loved making it, both the walking and the editing. I've not been out much this year with other life events going on but they're slowing down and I'm finding more time becoming free to get back out and get some more hills in the bag. I have a list of routes that I want to complete but I think they'll not be met this year with all I have going on. That could absolutely be true for the cairn as there wasn't a plaque on it so who knows, it very well may be a boundary marker. I'm absolutely going to walk it again (possibly tackle a winter attempt) but I don't know that I'll be as lucky with the weather as I had it. My cousin has recovered from his injuries now and I do think we'll have another bash at the WHW to get it complete together. All the best on your future walks and thanks for the comment too, it's gave me a wee boost to get back out and get some hills in the bag again.

Hi, thank you for your reply, walking solo is definitely a much different experience than being accompanied by even one person. I found solo walking very relaxing, I suppose you only have yourself to consider and all the decisions are for you made by you. I will also walk the WHW again, I may do bridge of Orchy to Fort William again later this year as that was my favourite section. I think it’s a great idea to get out and do some more walks, although I understand how a busy life can get in the way but sometimes we need a break from the life smothering effects of stress and anxiety. Treat yourself, do some walking, you deserve it and make sure you look after yourself. Take care, best regards, Chris. 🍻👍👍

Hi Prusak, they are basically old buildings that have mostly been taken on by the MBA (Mountain Bothy Association), whose volunteers maintain and upgrade the buildings as and when they can. There are some privately owned bothies around but depending on the land owner they can be varying in their state of repair. Some of the bothys have plenty of wood (like Luib Chonnal in this video) and tools as the estate manage it well. Others are very remote and it's up to you to carry in wood etc if you want to have the fire lit. It works on a principal that if you use something (like wood or canned food that has been left) then you re-stock / replenish before you leave. This is so that someone who may need the space if they are caught in poor weather have the chance to shelter before continuing. You should definitely give it a try but remember that there may be someone else to share with and mice can get to your food and equipment if not hung off of the floor. And you must take some whisky with you!

Hey RoamingWylde, thanks for watching and it's nice to see people are still getting something from this video. I ended up speaking to OS and everything about this and you're absolutely right, the signpost was correct and the map simply hadn't been updated (apparently this is only done every new evaluation / run of a certain map, which is understandable as the land changes all the time). I'm not sure if you have watched it but I did the route in the opposite direction too and started over Kames Hill. There is something about this wee route that I absolutely love doing. Again, thanks for watching and happy adventures.

I am indeed, well spotted. It's tough to shake a lifetime of certain phrases when they work 😂

@@AScotsmanOutdoors yeah that's true

@AScotsmanOutdoors I remember the bog walk on the flat section of this walk.. it was pissing down 😄 aye mate its good to record our days on the hills, you would forget half of our adventures you did if you didn't 😄

Thanks Mark, that brings the self-esteem up a little 😂 It was one of those little instant slips but it did bring the Mrs a barrel of laughs when she saw it, so it wasn't all bad.

Thanks Gus, it feels great to be back at it. I aimed to get these two back in 2019 but never managed / decided not to get them both with the poor conditions. I was keeping them for a time to get the entire four on one two day trip but it was plans like that which kept me from getting any at all. This year I'll be getting whichever hill when I can, with some multi-day trips in amongst it. Keep an eye on that forecast, strike when the iron is hot and get them in the bag but don't weigh yourself down with the views others get either (that's something I've learned). Just climb your hills and grab your good days and views for yourself.

@@AScotsmanOutdoors that's good thinking, I think that why I have not managed loads of trips cos it try and make it epic and involve too much

It definitely is, the mind and the soul. You can't beat a day on the hills (unless it's teaming it down horizontally).

Thanks for watching Theresa and it's nice to hear the narrative wasn't too much. I'm always questioning how much is too much talking, should I let the scenery do the talking etc etc. So thanks for the feedback. I think if I get the right conditions then skipping is definitely not off the cards but maybe not on the Aonach Eagach ridge though. Thanks again for watching and I hope I can bring more videos you enjoy in 2024.

Thanks Mayles. Sgor Gaoith is still on the list so here's hoping I get similar views, with a little less wind. I hope you keep getting great views through 2024.

@@AScotsmanOutdoors I meant similar views, as in the view you got right at the summit, i.e. No views 😅 Hopefully you fair better when you do Sgor Gaoith, as it's supposed to be spectacular, when not inside a cloud!

And to you too Derek. I hope 2024 is good to you. It's nice to be back in a space I want to be and back out on them there hills.

Cheers Paul! I've struggled yearly to keep any consistent training but time to really start again. I've accepted I'm not running another marathon any time soon, so slow and sure is the order of the day. Thanks for watching and commenting.

I am more cyclist than hiker, although enjoy both, and every January fitness hits a rock-bottom and its time to somehow start again!

Amen! I feel like I've been re-setting every January for the last 9 years now. The Army had something to say about it every year before then 😂 I do enjoy cycling but I couldn't even claim for it to be any type of fitness now I have an e-bike. I do enjoy it but it's not doing me any fitness favours.

Funnily enough I have been eyeing up Ben Challum recently for a wee outing so good to hear the conditions. There's a few I'm looking at doing over the frozen period to avoid the bog. I wonder if that infamous Ben Lui bog is frozen 🤔 I never did much Scottish hiking in my younger days as I was off galavanting the world with the Army so didn't get much consistent home time so have started my journey later on. Keep up the good work my friend and here's to getting fitter on the hills.

Ah, a fellow "non-skipper" 😂 My tendons were described by an Army physio at 21 years old as "ohh, they're squeaky" and at 31 (while sat down with straight legs) "ohh, you could get a bus under those knees" 😂. Apparently it's just how I'm built. I just need to have a word with the builder although think I'm past my warranty period 🤷🏻‍♂️ Looking forward to the trip too mate. I'll be in touch to plan.

@@AScotsmanOutdoors haha, you’re definitely not built for speed then. 😜 will be good to iron out some plans. 👍🏻

I'm like Donkey Kong and Bowser in Mario Kart. I take a bit longer to get to full speed but when I'm there you best not be in my path 😂

Cheers Kev 👍🏻 It's been a busy year but it felt great to be back out after taking care of everything we had planned this year. Now that it's all finished I can get back to the hills. It's sometimes good to take a break and then remember what it was you enjoyed about it when you head back out. Thanks for watching and maybe we'll bump into each other in 2024 🤷‍♂️

Hey mate, I'm just glad it's given you food for thought. It's a great tent and I'm still loving it almost two years on. I hope if you go for it that it serves you just as well. Thanks for the sub too, I've got a better year of recording planned for 2024.

Thanks for watching and giving me a reason to rewatch the two videos. It's a great reminder of why I do these videos (so I have the memory to look back on) and it was amazing seeing "wee" Harris again. He's not just so wee now. Thanks again for watching and I'm glad you liked it... and yes you're right, Harris is cute.

@@AScotsmanOutdoors Cheers. My Tarptent Stratospire 2 arrives tomorrow. They do amazing tents. Planning a walk from Garve into the mountains next year. Have a good Christmas.

Thank you Jake! You too!

Hey JakeMay, where's your walking series taking you? I have re-watched this series back so many times because I absolutely loved this trip (except where my cousin had to bail). I constantly run the trip around in my mind from time to time and hope you get to do the same too with your travels. If you haven't already done so, I have to urge you look into doing the WHW.

What's that price for? The device or the subscription plan?

Thanks JakeMay, I haven't been out much this year with a busy family life but I'm getting more free time so should be back out soon and just in time for winter. I'm glad you enjoyed my wee film and I look forward to seeing where your trips take you.

Hi DrawingNo1, apologies for the late reply as I have been so busy this year (hence the lack of uploads) but I'm glad you liked this video. It's taken me back to remembering the day and how good it was. The pull at the start is sharp but it soon levels off to become bog (and humid if it's sunny like I had) before that great walk through the type of pass and along the edge to give great views back. Yeah, I think the campsite is under new management now but, as you say, I think too that it's good practice to support local businesses where possible (and if they're welcoming). I hope you get out through the winter and hopefully I'll be back out again soon in the winter conditions.

Cheers Ervin, it is a great bag and ideal for those days just out filming.

You and me both. I dare say that if I were in receipt of billions that a good number of others would benefit too.

Hey, yes it's absolutely fine for the times I've had it out and some of those were driving rain. Have a wee you tube search of hydrostatic head on KZfaq and there's some good videos out there on it. They show just how much water the material can actually take before it seeps through. Did you do a drive and camp of the NC500?

Thanks so much!

Hi Peter, thanks for watching and glad you took something from it. I use this for long distance hikes and have no issues placing a 55 litre rucksack in the gear store. It does touch against the fly-sheet but it's definitely not noticeable or a hindrance.

Oh I've had my fair share of soakings on the hills so can sympathise completely! I really enjoyed Ben Chonzie but that could have been because it was a simple ascent, the weather was great, it was my first one after lock-down restrictions eased or a combination of them all. Between all of that and being not long after my dad had passed away, I have to admit I had a brilliant day as it was such a de-stressor.

A wedge of cheese... green cheese? 🤷🏻‍♂️ I'll be getting this one out soon again I feel. I've been eyeing up Sierra Designs' Flex Capacitor rucksack after seeing a few but still not sure if I'm into it completely yet.