I did half of the Pennine Way (8 days) with a friend last year and loved it. We stayed in B&Bs every night along the way but are now interested in a bit more of an ambitious challenge, a 7-day hike with one or two longer stages where you camp overnight. We still want to travel as light as possible and not take a tent. Can anyone advise if it's doable to bivvy down during summer, also, suggestions where? Other possibility might be in mainland Europe where the summer weather is more predictable, e.g. Alps with mountain huts? We are not advanced mountain climbers but we're pretty fit, have good common-sense mountain skills and are adventurous.
The Picos de Europa in Northern Spain would be possible but the mountains are a very serious undertaking when the Pennine Way is your only other outdoor experience. I would be tempted to recommend that in any of the larger mountain ranges you might be better going guided for the first time(or tag along with more experienced climbers/walkers). In England, Offas Dyke is probably doable with B&Bs/YHs and the odd overnight. Similiarly, South West Coast Path. Both should have reasonable weather.
Rob
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Quoted message said:
I did half of the Pennine Way (8 days) with a friend last year and loved it. We stayed in B&Bs every night along the way but are now interested in a bit more of an ambitious challenge, a 7-day hike with one or two longer stages where you camp overnight. We still want to travel as light as possible and not take a tent. Can anyone advise if it's doable to bivvy down during summer, also, suggestions where? Other possibility might be in mainland Europe where the summer weather is more predictable, e.g. Alps with mountain huts? We are not advanced mountain climbers but we're pretty fit, have good common-sense mountain skills and are adventurous.
Thanks for the advice Rob. We have been on a few guided things before and done a fair bit of outdoor pursuits, so I think we'd be ok. We are appropriately serious and cautious (which is why we are asking this). We just don't want to get into a situation out of our depth, which would probably mean ropes, shovels, guns, ...
The Picos de Europa you mention might be good - will look into that.
Cheers
Steve
Rob Devereux schreef:
Quoted message said:
The Picos de Europa in Northern Spain would be possible but the mountains are a very serious undertaking when the Pennine Way is your only other outdoor experience. I would be tempted to recommend that in any of the larger mountain ranges you might be better going guided for the first time(or tag along with more experienced climbers/walkers). In England, Offas Dyke is probably doable with B&Bs/YHs and the odd overnight. Similiarly, South West Coast Path. Both should have reasonable weather.
Rob
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I did half of the Pennine Way (8 days) with a friend last year and loved it. We stayed in B&Bs every night along the way but are now interested in a bit more of an ambitious challenge, a 7-day hike with one or two longer stages where you camp overnight. We still want to travel as light as possible and not take a tent. Can anyone advise if it's doable to bivvy down during summer, also, suggestions where? Other possibility might be in mainland Europe where the summer weather is more predictable, e.g. Alps with mountain huts? We are not advanced mountain climbers but we're pretty fit, have good common-sense mountain skills and are adventurous.
Sounds like the TMB - Tour of Mont Blanc would be ideal... good cicerone book available and clear paths/maps also..
High altitude but pretty safe - ideal for July
Steven said:
Thanks for the advice Rob. We have been on a few guided things before and done a fair bit of outdoor pursuits, so I think we'd be ok. We are appropriately serious and cautious (which is why we are asking this). We just don't want to get into a situation out of our depth, which would probably mean ropes, shovels, guns, ...
The Picos de Europa you mention might be good - will look into that.
Cheers
Steve
Rob Devereux schreef:
Quoted message said:
The Picos de Europa in Northern Spain would be possible but the mountains are a very serious undertaking when the Pennine Way is your only other outdoor experience. I would be tempted to recommend that in any of the larger mountain ranges you might be better going guided for the first time(or tag along with more experienced climbers/walkers). In England, Offas Dyke is probably doable with B&Bs/YHs and the odd overnight. Similiarly, South West Coast Path. Both should have reasonable weather.
Rob
<[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I did half of the Pennine Way (8 days) with a friend last year and loved it. We stayed in B&Bs every night along the way but are now interested in a bit more of an ambitious challenge, a 7-day hike with one or two longer stages where you camp overnight. We still want to travel as light as possible and not take a tent. Can anyone advise if it's doable to bivvy down during summer, also, suggestions where? Other possibility might be in mainland Europe where the summer weather is more predictable, e.g. Alps with mountain huts? We are not advanced mountain climbers but we're pretty fit, have good common-sense mountain skills and are adventurous.
