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Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 1: Land |
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 2: Water |
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 3: Detailed Kit |
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I headed over to Mangersta, Uig for a SwimCamp at Skebadale bay. It's a short 25 minute walk out and after pitching my Trekmates Squall Bivi I went for a swim in the sea where I managed to get through the arch but found it to be a bit swirly so I headed back through again. Lot's of different kinds of bird's about and some make the oddest of noises (like a yelping dog - listen to the video). It rained through the night and was gusty too but the Squall stayed firm although there was a bit of condensation inside the bivi but I put that down to me. The sunny morning made me feel like going for a dook in the sea in my pants and rash vest which I really enjoyed and it freshened me up. I got spooked by an eagle on the drive back home near Loch Croistean as it flew down the road towards me and over the top of the van. What an end to my SwimCamp adventure All music is by Alex Blue Ps, thanks to Shona for letting us know it's a Common Sandpiper making it's presence known Click here to view the YouTube Video from the outing.
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Dave, Stuart and myself had our first SwimCamp outing in Point, which was in the village of Sheshader, starting with a hike over to a bay for a swim through some crystal clear water (check out the arch that Stuart and myself get through) before heading up to the top of Dun Dubh where we camped for the night. The views from the summit are just outstanding even on a rainy misty day. We'll definitely be back there again... All music is by Beluga Lagoon - Click here to visit their website Click here to view the YouTube Video from the outing. Awesome SwimCamping outing with Joseph (who paddled alongside me) to the end of Seaforth Island. The water was very clear and there was an abundance of sealife to be seen below. After picking a spot to set camp we had dinner then got a wee fire going to keep us warm. In the morning, Joseph and myself hiked up to the summit to get the views, which are spectacular, before heading back across to mainland Lewis and to our vehicle's. It's a beautiful island that's for sure but it can be boggy and slippy in places. Mind your step ☺️ Thanks to Joseph for keeping me company and for the photos which are at the end of the swim clips (in the video). All music is by Beluga Lagoon Click here to view the YouTube video from the outing. *Amateur video alert* My first pitch of the Vango Neon UL1 Tent. Yes, I should have read the instructions before putting it up. Yes, I'll be swapping the insanely light/bendy/easy to lose pegs that came with it for my own preferred pegs. I'll certainly be practicing pitching the tent a few more times before I use it for SwimCamping. To be honest, I'm a 3 season camper so I'll probably not get to use the Neon now till next year but it definitely was a good bargain in the sale. Music is by Diverse music. Click here for the link to the YouTube Review video Click here for the Vango Neon UL1 link Click here for the Sea to Summit Sleep Matt link Click here for the Vango Cobra 200 Sleeping Bag link Click here for the Sea to Summit Aeros light inflatable pillow link A fantastic time trialling out my new Alpkit Elan bivi bag on top of beinn mhor, aird ranish, north lochs. After having a look at the weather, I could fit in a quick overnighter between my shifts at work. so all good. A wee 15-20 minute swim over to the usual bay, taking time to maneuver past the kreel ropes whilst making sure that none got tangled on my Lomo rucksack. Then it was around a 30 minute walk over to and up beinn mhor. There is so much to see from up on the hill with the bivi being the ideal piece of kit for the SwimCamp. Bivi'ing under the milky way, seeing a faint glimmer of the northern lights over broadbay, shooting stars, satellites bumbling along, sunset and boats out on the minch were just some of the highlights of my short time on the hill. I'd definitely agree with other bloggers who say that there's a time and a place for a bivi (especially without an extra tarp cover), thankfully this was the right time and place for me. Was great being able to sit up or lie down in my sleeping bag, on top of my mat with the Elan slightly unzipped, so I could enjoy the views around and/or above. Loved it. Click here for a link to the YouTube Video from the outing. Thanks to BestOutdoors for a mention in their online magazine article about SwimPacking/SwimCamping/SwimHiking. Click on the paragraph below to be taken to the full article: As wildswimming becomes more and more popular, those looking for the next level will find them self looking into swimpacking (Swim packing), swimcamping (swim camping) and Swimhiking (swim hiking) for their next level swim fix. Just as backpackers and bike packers take everything with them in one bag to sustain their wild adventures, swimpackers do the same. Hiking across remote areas, swimming across rivers, lochs and bays to find the perfect location for exploring and camping. This allows swimpackers to enjoy swimpacking adventures, places and experiences that very few people have. Like a 100 mile adventure up the west coast of Scotland, where no roads or lack of transport will hinder the adventure. Or deciding to swim from island to island in a large lake or off the coast. If you are a seasoned open water swimmer and you’re now inspired to try some swimpacking then read on for our full swimpacking gear guide.  A well and truly epic SwimCamp adventure with Stuart and Dave going from the eagle observatory path at mhiabhaig out past lochs scourst and bhoisimid (the loch that gave jm barrie the idea about mary rose. We even met the owner of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle) then after coming off the path we bumbled down the river in the part's that was safe to, towards tota choinnich and on to our base for the night at ceann loch reasort. Stuart spotted a white tailed sea eagle. Setting up camp on the Uig side of the river, we had a look around both settlement's. The midge's were fairly rife but thankfully we had our net's to cover our heads. In the morning we swam round with the outgoing tide to dirascal (settlement) and hiked over to loch uladal for a swim through it then we hooked up with the path (we spotted an eagle up near sron) and plodded on to loch aiseabhat to swim along it (misty in parts) to meet up with the path again. Stuart and myself swam part of loch chliostair, obviously keeping well away from the dam. Then the 3 of us headed back to the car at mhiabhaig. A full 20 mile loop of breathtaking scenery in great company. We had a laugh coming up with name's for the route such as "where eagle's don't dare", "next of kinlochreasort", "the last reasort"..... final thanks goes to Kellie, for taking around 60 tick's out of me. Click here for the link to the YouTube video from the outing. Fantastic SwimCamping outing from traigh na beirigh via Siaram mor to pabaigh mor with Dave (kayaking) and Catherine on a day trip. Once Landed, we headed over to the lagoon area. I had a look in the cave, Catherine and myself got a swim through the arch (Dave didn't have his swim kit with him at the time) and a quick swim in the lagoon before Dave and myself saw Catherine back to traigh na beirigh. Then it was an about turn for us back to pabaigh mor to setup camp at the beach near to the remains of St Peter's church. We missed the sunset but a hearty dinner along with a couple of beers before it was time for some shuteye. Up at a relatively decent time, after decamping, Dave paddled round to the main beach where I met. We had a quick dook before heading back to our vehicles. Amazing weather and company. We'd met folk who came to say hello and find out what we were doing, which is always nice. Fantastic to have these opportunities on our island's and it doesn't cost us anything to do. Click here for the link to the YouTube video from the outing. The Isle of Lewis has some stunning coastline which I love to explore. On this SwimCamping outing, Stuart and myself walked out to Skebadale bay, camped overnight and had a morning swim in the sea, checking out some of the Uig caves, channels and a natural arch. The place is teaming with sea life already and the water is so clear. Duckman was saying 8.2 degrees average. Thanks to Stuart for some of the photos. Click here for link to the YouTube video from the outing. Superb SwimCamp over on Eilean Ewart. Had a wee look at Taigh a' Gheumpaill (Lone House) plus a swim round stac a'bhaigh. The view's are just amazing on the island. Landed at the bay at Seanna-Bhaile (Old town) and walked through Taigh Geal which is now used as a sheep fank. You can learn more about the history of the island by clicking here. Click here to view the YouTube video from this outing. |
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