Hi.
I've just got back from The Cairngorms and wish to register with the 'Argos
Tent Committee', my claim for the Altitude Record - 4005 feet at the Wells
of Dee on the Braeriach Plateau. I offer as evidence the following
photographs:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/james.ford60/wells_of_dee/wells_of_dee1.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/james.ford60/wells_of_dee/wells_of_dee2.jpg
(Views looking East across An Garbh Choire to Ben Macdui. Braeriach summit on
left.)
When I bought the tent last year, I was sufficiently impressed by the design
and build quality to consider using it for some serious high-level camping.
I used my Khayam Highlander tent as a base at the Rothiemurchus Campsite at
Coylum Bridge (highly recommended - fabulous new toilet/shower block) and
after a few days pottering arround Rothiemurchus, set out down Glen Einich
with the Argos tent. I don't really like the long Land-Rover track down the
Glen - it's a weary slog, but at the head of the Glen the path climbs to a
good 2700 feet corrie (Dhondail - NN922982), where I spent the night. The
following day, I took the stalkers path out of the the corrie, onto the
Braeriach Plateau, setting up camp between the Wells of Dee and the Falls of
Dee (NN941992 4005 feet - just 250 feet below the Braeriach Summit). The
temperature was 9 degrees C and the wind 30-40 mph gusting 50. It's a great
site - clean water and wonderful views. I've camped there a couple of times
before. Best of all, it's great to have the place to yourself from about 4
in the afternoon to 10 in the morning the next day! After 2 nights at the
Wells, I set of back to Coylum Bridge via Sron na Lairige, into the Larig
Ghru at Lurcher's Crag and then the weary slog through the seeming endless
Rothiemurchus pine forest.
The Tent:
Performed superbly - I would feel confident in it in higher winds than I
encountered (but not the worst the Cairngorms can produce!). It's well
designed and made. The only drawback (previously mentioned on this
forum) is the lack of cooking space in the porch.
Regards: Jim Ford