Not the best photos, but here are two pictures from my Buckden Pike summit campover last month.
I noticed the new structure, the sheep didn’t seem so impressed. I’m glad I set my tent up on the other side of the wall to the sheep! I set the tent up as it was getting dark.
73, Colin
Thanks Nick.
Wow - stainless steel - 818 or 316? Never been up there in my life and never seen a British Bench like that one anywhere. I should try it but not in sub-zero.
John
Impressive Colin,
Love the tent. Looks really modern and it’s good to see you’re taking on summit camping. I’ll look at your log to see who you worked. There were no sheep when I camped up there earlier in the year and no new structure either. Looks damp but there again it very often is. Hope you had a good night.
Well done, John
I have a perfectly good Vango Banshee 2 man tent which I like very much apart from the bright blue flysheet! I bought the tent ex demo many years ago for an attempt to do Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Pillar with an over night stay. I remember consulting with you about my plans and you helpfully gave me lots of useful information including detailed photographs. I ended up aborting my attempt and didn’t try again until a few years ago, when I was finally successful.
Great Gable G/LD-005 behind my little blue Banshee.
The Vango Banshee 200 is a really good tent, it’s small but has enough room inside for storing gear, although the headroom is very limited. My Banshee is lighter than the specs say, it’s well under 2kg, can’t just remember the exact weight.
I took the Banshee to the Hebrides this summer where it performed well.
I saw the Alpkit Soloist tent on display in the Ilkley Alpkit store and I just fell in love with it. My son expressed a desire to go to the Hebrides with me supported by bicycle, so it meant we’d need another tent as the Vango isn’t big enough for two blokes. I procrastinated for quite a while but then eventually bought the Soloist tent during a sale.
Unfortunately my son’s term at college started earlier than expected and the 2nd Hebrides trip couldn’t happen.
I’m hoping to get back to the Hebrides supported by bike next Spring. We’ll see.
I gave the Soloist tent a try on Buckden Pike just to see how it was. I like the colour! The tent was OK and will be great for minimalist camping as needed when supported by bike, but for mountain camping, I think the Banshee has the edge.
73, Colin
Thanks Colin.
Interesting. I looked up about the Banshee-200. Odd that they overdo the weight in the spec. You’d think that would be in the top three selling points. It can be kept together for quick pitching. That’s a big advantage considering some of the wind speeds I’ve had to solo pitch my tent in on summits. It won’t break the bank which is a pos feature for a Yorkshireman like me. Weight is no more than my ridge tent with inner included. In fact a bit less. A review mentioned that if you’re over 5ft 10inches get something longer and I do exceed that. No bother though - shrinking fast! HI.
I didn’t realize or had forgotten (the latter more likely at my age) that you backpacked round the Gable range. Very well done on that as you’d have to carry quite a bit of weight, albeit your station is lightweight. Water is heavy and in summer there could be an issue as there aren’t that many streams.
I’ve been round most of the Hebrides for radio but not for SOTA. I’d love to go back but it likely won’t happen. I used to take my sons (one at a time) on similar jaunts with the bikes and walking when they were still in single figures and later. Our Shian Bay camp on Jura comes to mind. Brilliant island that is. Also HF QRO camping/ WABing in the Cairngorms etc.
Thanks again,
John