Guest Post - Neil Reid, Save Garbh Choire Refuge:

Neil Reid writes the Cairngorm Wanderer blog.  I have met Neil and he has a passion for the wild land of the Cairngorms. In this post he set's forth his dissertation to why we should be supporting the preservation of the Garbh Choire Refuge in the Cairngorms.  

I have not used this refuge, but have camped outside it. Located amidst magnificat mountains, it is a place of refuge in times of danger.  A refuge that needs to stay. 

Cross Fell and beyond:

Trip report.  North Pennines March 2012

Day 1       9.20 km 298m  ascent

Day 2     19.20km  620m  ascent

Day 3     25.10km  302m  ascent

I had some spare time, a friend who was up for a backpack; we had also found what looked like the best spot to make the most of the weather forecast for the days we planned to walk.  A good combination.

Cross Fell. It's the highest land in England outside the Lake District.  Sitting across the Eden Valley with views of the Lakes on a clear day.  I had walked it once on the Pennine Way, along with another trip when I had planned to explore the far side but mist marred the views that time - I changed the route and the wild land beyond Cross Fell still was unknown to me.

I had arranged to meet James at Garrigill to walk to a bothy he knew of and spend the night chatting, drinking and just enjoying the outdoors.  We would then go our separate ways as James only had one day free,  where I planned two more days walking with Keith.

Home and happy:

I arrived home last night from a great time in the North Pennines.