Well, after a couple of weeks of rediscovery and the odd inward look, it's time for a change of direction.

 

This weekend sees our first forays into the world of mild camping. Yes, after years of crawling into a lowline tent at the end of the day, and scrunching up cross legged with a small stove in the Akto, it's time for some luxury. Maybe it's an age thing, or maybe it's a confidence thing, but I've re-examined camping so much over the last couple of years and perhaps it's time for a bit more logic. The TGO Challenge has made me take a serious look at kit, and a move to a more lightweight style for the long and self contained trips. Titanium's moved in and pushed good old aluminium out of the picture as grams have been shaved here and there. Everything I carry must be guaranteed a use, and preferably two.The minimilist approach, within reason, is undoubtedly the right approach when you're carrying everything, and the choice comes down to practicality, although this hasn'#t always been the case.

 

There's something of a whiff of reverse snobbery, however, when it comes to camping. I'm as guilty as anyone, so no immunity, but when you're pitching your nice little Akto or F10 on a "proper" site there's a tendancy to look on some of the larger "family" tents with disdain. Not for you the trappings of home under canvas - you wouldn't be a "real" camper then would you? The fact that you've arrived on site by car, will make regular use of the shower, undercover washing up area, and probably the pub don't assimilate you into "them". But why not? If you're going to arrive by car then why not make life easier?

 

The incursions started slowly, as they do. First it was the realisation that if you're not carrying your kit then a few more grams for an extra comfortable thermarest isn't a problem. Then food gets the treatment with dehydrated being replaced by fresh. In these little stages you still keep hold of your image - you're still "hard" and "real". The transition has moved to the other end of the scale this weekend, with a BIG tent - 20ft long and with 7ft of headroo. The jetboil's redundant as the double burner takes over on its foldout kitchen and larder. Folding chairs and windbreak are in the car, and I really don't think badly of it. I'm not particularly going for the "camping" experience this time - how much of it is left anyway when camping on a commercial site? In reality all I'm after is shelter for a base from which to head out and return to each day - so yes it'll be nice to stand up, cook decent food on a stove that lets you do two things at once, sit around with mates without having to be on the ground. What matters is the days out on the hills and being with friends, and inside I'm still at heart the lightweight camper - but in its place. You can't recreate the feeling of wild camping on an organised camp site - so why try! I may not have that inner glow you have when you look down on those in the big tents as you "rough it" - but I don't need it any more. I may be in a big tent with a few luxuries, but come midday I'll still be on those same high points and keeping my link with the beauty that draws me back time after time - and that's where it matters.

 

Next weekend will be back to normal, with small and lightweight, but this weekend it's time to give it a try. Four full days without a computer is going to be a culture shock, and it's going to be strange having that feeling you're going to miss someone again. It's going to be great to catch up with Stu, Jules, Dawn, and Cherie again, and share some quality time with matt in the outdoors, but a part of me will no doubt be thinking of Scotland.