Winter bivvy, Scotland

[JimmyG]

There’s a massive area near Samye Ling on the side of the timber haulage road that’s big enough to park in.

Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Xg4KV6Y4v3fxoMWQ8

Maybe a hundred yards up the hill from that lorry.
[/quote]

Have now checked this out on GE. Cheers Alasdair.

[Alan63]

When we went to Greensykes in January, we parked in Eskdalemuir. There is a small car park opposite a modern cafe/visitor centre. The folks that run the place were happy for us to park there. The cafe did a good Sunday lunch.

[Borderer]

There is a carpark just to the south of Samye Ling, but that is for the temple only - you can't park there. About a quarter of a mile south of that is a small carpark (ten cars maybe) opposite the tea rooms that is free and you can park there overnight.

If you are coming from Moffat then I would suggest avoiding the hellishness that is the Romans and Reivers route at Gorrogill. It's very, very steep, never ending and slippery. I absolutely hated it. If you really must come that way then take your bags off the bike at the bottom and get the bike up before going back down for them.

[Alan63]

There is a carpark just to the south of Samye Ling, but that is for the temple only - you can't park there. About a quarter of a mile south of that is a small carpark (ten cars maybe) opposite the tea rooms that is free and you can park there overnight.

Sounds like the same place I'm talking about. .

[Ray Young]

If you are coming from Moffat then I would suggest avoiding the hellishness that is the Romans and Reivers route at Gorrogill. It's very, very steep, never ending and slippery. I absolutely hated it. If you really must come that way then take your bags off the bike at the bottom and get the bike up before going back down for them.

"Stop being soft". Ha ha, only joking, that Garrogil push really is a bugger!

[Borderer]

If you are coming from Moffat then I would suggest avoiding the hellishness that is the Romans and Reivers route at Gorrogill. It's very, very steep, never ending and slippery. I absolutely hated it. If you really must come that way then take your bags off the bike at the bottom and get the bike up before going back down for them.

"Stop being soft". Ha ha, only joking, that Garrogil push really is a bugger!

I nearly wrote something like - of course if you feel the need to prove your manliness in pointlessly difficult tasks then by all means go ahead....

[fatbikephil]

If you are coming from Moffat then I would suggest avoiding the hellishness that is the Romans and Reivers route at Gorrogill. It's very, very steep, never ending and slippery. I absolutely hated it. If you really must come that way then take your bags off the bike at the bottom and get the bike up before going back down for them.

"Stop being soft". Ha ha, only joking, that Garrogil push really is a bugger!

I nearly wrote something like - of course if you feel the need to prove your manliness in pointlessly difficult tasks then by all means go ahead....

Sounds good to me, always up for something pointlessly difficult plus the walk will be good for my knees 'twill be even better riding back down it

[Ray Young]

'twill be even better riding back down it

, , .

I've only come down it once and I walked most of it. I must stop being soft, I must stop being soft, I must stop being soft.

[fatbikephil]

'twill be even better riding back down it

, , .

I've only come down it once and I walked most of it. I must stop being soft, I must stop being soft, I must stop being soft.

You need a dropper post, then you can get down anything

[Borderer]

Please wear a gopro so that we can all watch and laugh as you ride down that thing, or fly down it....

[Ian]

Count me in. Haven't worked out where "where" is yet, but I have plenty of time to work it out :)

With a bit of an unforeseen diary clash, I can't make the official weekend now - apologies. Was looking forward to meeting a few new faces.

Planning to head out this weekend instead, and as I'm down in Cumbria this Friday, might see if I can plan a route with this bothy as a destination.

[fatbikephil]

Weather looking a bit yukky, hope no-one else is in the Bothy.....

[Alan63]

Unfortunately Fraser and I will miss out this weekend. Struck down by the lurgy. Have a great trip for those who go.

[thenorthwind]

Weather looking a bit yukky, hope no-one else is in the Bothy.....

Does look wet, and cold enough to be unpleasant, but not quite cold enough to snow/freeze (during the day at least).

I'm still intending to ride in from Langholm. If anyone wants company from Eskdalemuir, I'll try to time my arrival to meet at Samye Ling. Otherwise I'll just see you at the bothy.

I'll bring a tent, but hoping not to have to use it!

[JimmyG]

So who's going? I'm driving down from Edinburgh with Jamie P and, based on earlier advice on here, will park up at the cafe in Eskdalemuir and ride in from there. We'll have something to eat there then aim to be at the bothy before last light. In case of a. Another party having beaten us to it and b. Snorers(!), I'll be bringing my outdoor sleeping kit to cover all options!

[fatbikephil]

All being well I'll be there. Still debating whether to ride in from Peebles or Moffat. Should arrive early evening ish.

[Blair512]

I'm out I'm afraid gents, nowt to do with the weather, we just moved house 2 weeks ago and it's turned into a far larger task than was anticipated.

[Borderer]

Just getting my gear together here.

[AlasdairMc]

I was unable to attend for DIY reasons too.

[Borderer]

Hey guys, one of you left your keys behind at the bothy. I have them and have now left the bothy and am on my way to eskdalemuir via the Romans and reivers. I should be there by 2pm, after that I will head back to Hawick via buccleuch.

[JimmyG]

Hi Bridget. As per our PM exchange, seems they were left by a previous visitor. Thanks for letting us know, though!

[stucowp]

Forgot this was on this weekend, only happened to remember when I saw you all coming down the trail from Black Esk Reservoir cracking weather all weekend you’ve had for certain.

[thenorthwind]

I thought I recognised your face Stu but couldn't place it! We met on the Yorkshire Winter bivvy a couple of years back.

Aye, cracking weather... I'm only a little bit disappointed by the lack of snow. Seems to have been the best weather of any of this year's winter bivvys - in the Borders, who'd have thought it.

Will post some photos sometime next week - got DIY to do myself. About to do some plastering before bed!