I was asked for advice regarding overnight expeditions so I thought I'd post my answer here:
Doing overnight expeditions has a number of advantages. For instance it allows you to make use of the evening and early morning meaning you don't have to write off an entire day work or family-wise and yet get a good length expedition in. You also tend to have the hills to yourself & get to see lots of sunrises and sunsets!
Equipment I use is as follows:
- Goretex Bivibag (of course you could take a small tent instead but the bivibag is much easier and you don't need to worry about finding a pitch. Anywhere flattish 6 x 2 feet will do!)
- Warm sleeping bag (I'm using a 5 season down at the moment but will downgrade once the Spring arrives)
- Thermarest (I use the ultra small one and stick my rucsac down the bottom for my feet (if it's dry otherwise a fleece or something)
- 2 or 3 rucsac liners (for wet kit/stashing boots outside, etc)
- I don't take a stove, just butties, etc. But this is personal preference!
- I do totally overdo it on warm clothing. Many layers, down jacket, spare gloves, spare hats, balaclavas. However, this probably applies to SOTA expeditions in general not just overnighter!
I am finding 80m a great band to use for overnight trips. Very reliable early morning and evening. I have done some Top Band but find it is often quite late before the band wakes up and I'm snoozing by then!
Even if I am not acitvating in the evening (say getting onto a top late), then I still try and set up the antenna since it gives the luxury of operating from the sleeping bag in the morning without having to get up first!
I don't want to paint too rosy a picture. This is roughing it! And if the weather is bad it can be quite a trial. For instance, at 6'3" I *really* struggle to get dressed and kitted out inside my bivibag so if it is chucking it down outside, that's a pain.
Obviously, it goes without saying, stay within your comfort zone and experience hill-wise if you are out on your own. If I had to stress one point it would be warmth, warmth, warmth. Take lots of layers. And be careful with down in Scotland. I use it, but it is useless if it gets too damp. Always seriously overengineer the layers/hats, etc. You definitely don't want to be caught out alone and hyperthermic. Keeping weight to a minimum is moderately important but over-rated especially in the British hills. More of an issue in Alpine Climbing, say, where speed is of the essense, but if you are wondering whether to put in the extra fleece, etc: Put it in!!! Warmth should always win out over weight if you are solo. Just think, a small injury could have you waiting a long time in the wind and the wet and you have no friend to lend you his spare fleece!
The other thing of course is (especially in the winter), much of the walking is in the dark. So you must be comfortable with night navigation in anything but the very simplest of trips.
When solo be much more cautious than you would be when with others in all respects- take your time, stay well within your hill experience and ensure someone knows your exact plan, proposed bivi spot, and possible diversions/escape routes.
Having said that, enjoy! I have had hugely rewarding experiences in these less travelled hours of the day.
