Bivy night

Some photos of a trip to one of my favourite coastal areas, in Sweden.

Cliffs of Hovs Hallar

More cliffs

Waves and rocks

Home for the night

Late evening view from the bedroom

Coastal Graffiti

The sun is leaving

Sunset

A wonderful 24 hr trip along a beautiful coastline.

Møns and Kongsbjerg

I had a chance to get away for a couple of days, much in the way that Ryan Jordan has described as 24 hours a trip completed in 24 hours. Well where I live there are not many options, so I decided to walk from Råbylillestrand to Magleby in the Møns Klint area approximately 200 km south of Copenhagen. The return trip including 8 hours on public transport amounted to 36 hours. The weather for this trip was to be cool clear and windy so it was time to bring out the Paramo gear: Third Element Jacket and the Velez Adventure Trousers.

The walk initially followed the trail along Råbylillestrand, after leaving Råbylillestrand the trail skirts farmland before returning to the coast to pass Busemarke Mossen (wetlands) . The coastal walking continues along firm sand until you reach Klintholm Havn where you return to the bitumen as well as passing a small supermarket and the local fish smoke house. Leaving Klintholm Havn along minor roads before returning to Mandemarke Haver and it two shelters, the walk along the stone covered coastline leads then through a cow paddock (have you ever considered the implications of wearing a Red Paramo Third Element jacket in a bulls paddock, I did) after which it is a short walk to Busene Have prior to arriving at the base of Møns Fyr (Lighthouse).


From here I was on familiar territory climbing towards the large chalk klints (Cliffs) of Møns. There are several excellent view points and whilst the wind was cold the clear views out to see made for an enjoyable walk. Soon I headed away from the coastline to find a spot in the forest to camp. My sleeping arrangement for this trip was a Integral Designs Sil Poncho accompanied by the the Integral Designs eVent Overbag (now with side zip, thanks Scottish Mountain Gear). I was pleased with this arrangement and with the trekking poles making a "V" (a great idea presented by Dondo at BPL a while ago) provided easy access to the tarp.

After a final stroll and a visit to the cliffs looking out to sea I was soon in to bed quickly noticing how much warmer it felt under the tarp.I soon nodded off to sleep to the sound of the Naturugle (Owl)

Thanks to the comfort of the Neo Air I never did see the sunrise, but quick cup of coffee on the Compact Caldera and MLD pot (wood stoves are not good when you are stealth camping) I soon set off the highest point in the trip Kongsbjerg at 135 m (the highest point in Denmark is Møllehøj standing at 170.86 m). After passing the fascinating birch tress with there root system exposed by the dried up sø (lake)

I soon arrived at Kongsbjerg which provided a rewarding panorama as well as the appropriately named thinking bench complete with words from Jim Morrison.


After spending some time thinking and photographing it was time to return to the forest and follow the trails to Magleby and then home.


It had been a short but rewarding trip which once again reminded me that visits to the outdoors help to reinvigorate the heart and mind.

Kust to Kustleden: Shelter reflection

Shelters I used on the trip along the Coast to Coast in Sweden are; the Golite Shangri La 3, Terra Nova Laser Competition, Integral Designs Crysallis Bivy and the Backpackinglight (USA) Vapor Bivy. The Vapour bivy and the Crysallis Bivy were used in shelters whilst the other two were pitched near shelters.
My preference? The answer is it depends. If I know I am using shelters all the time I would take the BPL Vapor as it is light (285 gms) , will keep the bugs away and protect against moisture and wind. The Crysallis is an ideal bivy for those who want to sleep in the outdoors without a tarp, as it is a very roomy bivy with lots of space to store gear. Camping then it would be the Laser Competition, which weighs a little more the the Shangri La 3 but provides better all round weather protection. A further advantage of the Competition is that it takes up less ground space than the Shangri La 3.

Sölvesborg to Östafors

Just back from a 2 day walk in Sweden, the beauty of this walk is that it is accessible by public transport from Copenhagen. It is a 2.5 hr train trip approx from Copenhagen Main Station to Sölvesborg and the return is a 20 minute bus trip to Bromölla and then a train trip of a little less than 2.5 hours back to Copenhagen. Note that Bromölla is on the the same line as Sölvesborg so the trip can be reversed if preferred.

Sölvesborg to Östafors is the easterly commencement point of the Skåneleden Kust till Kustleden with Sölvesborg being the most easterly point of the trail. According to the maps the trail commences at Yndre Rest Stop on the E 22 highway at Sölvesborg, however there is now a 2.5 km orange marked trail starting at the front of the Sölvesborg Railway station which leads you to the trail head at Yndre Rest Stop. Sölvesborg is also the starting point for the Blekingeleden a trail which heads north then east to Kristianopel and meets up with the Kalmarsundsleden which takes you to Kalmar.

After alighting from the 9 am train at Sölvesborg station and spending a few minutes adjusting the gear and acclimatising to the sunny but sub zero temperatures I commenced my walk following, and trusting, the orange markers as they led me through the central shopping area for any last minute food purchases before swinging north to meet the trail proper then enter the forest north of the E 22. The trail wanders around the easterly flank of Kopannan before ascending past a view point with extensive views to the east over Blekinge to Ryssbergsstugan a large cabin ideally situated on the trail (booking is required) water is available at the cabin as well as a spring about .5 km before the cabin. After passing the cabin the trail follows the ridge line firstly through the forest and then along a number of forestry roads. The cold but sunny day ensured that whilst I did not linger long it was apparent how quiet it was, it reminded me of my trip through the Simpson Desert (Australia) where at night time all you could hear was nothing, as strange sensation in this busy noisy world of ours.


As I approached the campsite for the night, Grundsjön, this silence was penetrated by the sound of chain saws and machinery, sadly many of the trails on the Skånleden pass through the forests which at one time or another will be harvested thereby impacting on the outdoors experience that we go for. However, the chain saw like many other human activities soon dissipate at "knock off" time and the area soon returns to its peaceful self. Upon arriving at Grundsjön and looking over the lake coated in sheets of ice my attention turned to water and whilst the provided tap was not working the well nearby was fine albeit a 4 metre drop of the bucket to get water. Having set up my Integral Design Crysallis bivy for the night with accompanying down quilt I was left to ponder the sunset along with the increasing cold.

Of interest also was the accompany wood shed which contained sufficient firewood for many days as well as a hand splitter for those who wanted a large fire to keep them warm, for me I was happy with my caldera stove and esbit tablets.

The next morning arrived with a crystal clear and cold sunrise, I was happily warm, but the wardrobe contained no more spare clothes. Walking quickly helped to warm the body and allowed the removal of a couple of insulating items. However, the day remained cold with frozen ground the order of the day. The days walk commenced with walking along forestry roads and trails but after about 7 km it diverted into forested areas with only the orange marked foot trail to follow, which was to set the pattern for the remainder of the day. Wandering though the forests to sound of ice crunching under the shoes was a pleasurable experiences given that warmer weather would have also meant mud. A climb to the highest point of the trail in Ryssberget provides a wonderful viewpoint of Näsum and surrounding countryside including Ivösjön which shone brilliantly in the sunlight. From this vantage point the trail descended gradually along footpaths and forestry trails before arriving at Route 116, where it is possible to catch bus 561 back to Bromölla or continue along the trail to the Östafors shelter on the banks of Holjeån and then beyond.

Sil Tarps and Ponchos

B bought an Integral Designs Sil Poncho about 3 years ago, in Copenhagen. Since that time she has used the poncho in Norway, Denmark, the UK, USA and Australia. I have been so impressed by the multiplicity of uses of the Poncho that I also purchased one for use when we travel together.

Poncho Mode
There are many poncho available on the market and but what has attracted us to the Integral Designs poncho is the quality of the manufacture, the robustness of the press studs when used in poncho mode and the elasticised draw cord which allows the wearer to pull the poncho tight around the waste thereby reducing the flapping in windy conditions and providing a pack cover. The hood on the poncho is roomy and provides ample space to wear hats or caps underneath the poncho.

Shelter Mode
The ID Sil Poncho has dimensions of 1.5 m x 2.4 m which enables it to be used as a minimalist shelter, the simplest structure us the lean to which provides a shelter length sufficient to protect the users sleeping bag and bivy, personally I would use a lightweight bivy such as that provided by MLD, BPL or RAB to ensure that the sleeping bags do not get damp from wind blown rain. However, if you have a more weather resistant bivy such as the ID Micro Bivy then other shelter arrangements are possible, my preferred arrangement is shown in the accompanying picture, this modified lean to shape provides shelter from 2 sides and allows the user to have a semi enclosed area that can be used for eating, cooking (with care) and other relaxation.
The disadvantage with this arrangement is that it requires some of the bivy to be exposed to the weather and as a consequence the increased weight of the bivy makes it a heavier proposition than the simple lean to or the A frame shelter.

For 2 persons, an alternative shelter is to connect the tarps together using the press studs, this provides shelter which is 3 m x 2.4 m albeit with a gap down the centre where the join is, however it provides considerable space for 2 persons in inclement weather.

Day shelter, perhaps one of the greatest advantages of poncho and small tarps is the capability to set them up as a lunch or rest stop shelter in bad weather allowing more than one person to be protected from the elements for a short time at least.

The poncho tarp serves a number of important roles in a hikers kit and even if you use a tent normally at night is multiple uses of rain protection and shelter make it one of the first pieces of gear that goes into my pack at all times.

And if the poncho is not your preferred option then the Integral Designs Siltarp is another option, weighing just 200 gm, it will provide shelter and some space for cooking etc.

Nowadays I prefer to use the Integral Designs Sil Cape and the Integral Designs Siltarp as my rain gear and shelter, the total weight for this combination is about 350 gms.

Integral Designs Unishelter

Whilst laying in my Unishelter watching the sun rise recently I begun to reflect on why I like this shelter. It is a bit more than a bivy and tarp and it weighs more than the lightest tents but for me it is my preferred option. As it provides an easy and quick solution to setting up camp, it provides that next to nature feel whilst also providing ample shelter in rainy conditions. It allows me to camp in small areas where a tent would not be suitable. The bivy has lots of space inside and it is possible to change clothes whilst inside the bivy. Entry and exit can be a challenge in the rain but a little planning can be helpful.

Things I have learnt are
1. Pack your sleeping bag and other dry clothes inside the bivy, it both saves a waterproof pack liner and allows you to assemble the bivy with your dry gear well away from the entry and thus moisture.
2. Plan at least one non cook meal if you bivy bound.
3. A container to save you midnight visits to the a nearby tree can be invaluable when it is raining.
4. Organise your gear for a quick exit in the mornings when it is raining.
5. Have your camera ready for those sunrises you will see whilst still half asleep.
6. Choose a site which gives the maximum benefits of seeing the surroundings and appreciating the stars and other sights at night.
7. A small tarp (or umbrella) can be used to protect you upon entry and exit in torrential rain.
8. Enjoy the experience and learn as you go along.