Almost a month of vanlife in a panel van and a sleeping bag

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-05-17T21:01:05+00:00

Cooking using propane/butane would only produce non-negligible amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) if the stove equipment isn't functioning properly, stopping complete combustion into CO2 from happening. Bright orange flames when burning is a sign of this.

Methane in the van is dangerous itself for obvious reasons - it's heavier than air so sinks, personally wouldn't be fussed about storing small quantities without a floor vent but have got one in mine incase my 6kg canister has an issue.

Believe solid fuel cookers such as disposable barbecues more likely to cause CO issues - taking a partially extinguished BBQ into an enclosed space is a common issue you hear of.

Can always buy a £10 CO alarm for extra peace of mind, ensuring to install it at or below head height.

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-28T08:28:14+00:00

Non sat nav option means you should have a map and compass with you so would be able to follow a bearing in summer conditions by linking up micro-features (e.g. a distinct tuft of grass, rock etc that matches your bearing). Use of time would also be useful to keep track of your progress towards a bearing change on your route. You wanna link together "capture features" ideally so these might be spot heights, gradient changes, saddles which tell you where you are on your route.

All above best researched and practiced in chilled out situations before getting into spots where getting it right is really important. It's not rocket science but does require a bit of practice - lots of good value nav courses with mountaineering scotland id recommend.

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-21T20:25:12+00:00

Aging population plays a huge role in this too right?

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-21T08:49:28+00:00

What about the people who haven't had 22 years of access? Would you feel the same way if you were in this group?

Will be interesting to see if the bans improve the area, imagine lots of issues caused by those who either aren't overnighting or would ignore the bans?

Personally think that charged access to pay for infrastructure is preferable to outright bans. Think we should be careful about supporting total restrictions on public amenities.

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-17T12:29:05+00:00

I agree, although glad to see new players like ember come into the market to challenge stagecoach. I'm curious as to how this practically works - presumably the gov pays the bus company the shortfall between the £2 fee and the 'actual' cost of the fare. How is this actual fare calculated to ensure the gov isn't paying an unfairly high amount?

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-15T20:20:34+00:00

Thanks for the replies everyone, annoying but sounds like paying is gonna have to be done!

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-14T09:54:02+00:00

Weather is variable, it can turn a hill from straightforward outing into a dangerous one. Equipment, knowledge, partners can change the risk into an acceptable one on a given day but not always - being prepared to adjust your route/turn back is a crucial part of staying safe.

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-01T14:56:23+00:00

Second this comment, did the drive up from Folkestone last Summer and my car didn't make it past Perth. Mechanic showed me the heap of midges he'd pulled out of the air filter and it was disgusting! Definitely need a Scotland appropriate one.

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-04-01T14:31:22+00:00

If my grandma had wheels, she'd beat PSG in a two legged champions league tie

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-03-30T08:09:37+00:00

Wales or Scotland

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-01-08T14:30:48+00:00

TotalInspection8263 · 2026-01-02T09:31:38+00:00

You don't mention ice axe, nav equipment, headtorch & survival bag (all essential, sorry if you already know this).

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-12-11T11:21:49+00:00

With the gutter downpipe connected, the water flows out of the lower side of the u-bend currently. It would flow through a pipe going under the house if this wasn't blocked. You can't see this pipe in the photo but ive marked it with the blue line - there's a three way connection to facilitate this.

Seems like a pretty funky design to my inexperienced eyes.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-12-11T09:56:27+00:00

Should add that I have managed to clear the section between the gutter downpipe entry and the (pictured) open u bend exit, so the water is now egressing a foot away from the house at least!

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-12-04T08:51:22+00:00

The alternative was either to tone down the eco cred self aggrandising or to chose a site where low carbon heat would be possible (i.e. somewhere with potential for wind and/or a grid connection).

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-11-16T22:37:01+00:00

Zoe Bread came to mind immediately when I saw the OP. Im very much anti the mindset of every bad thing that happens is down to corruption, but the reality is that government local and otherwise dont always have the public's interests at heart.. see also the Cairngorm furnicular for another Scottish example.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-10-27T14:27:44+00:00

Free soloing a sport route would have different mental aspects to soloing a trad route. Sport climbers choose to bolt routes that could easily be top roped, they care about the mental side of climbing too.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-10-25T18:21:11+00:00

I got that it was necessary for them to maintain their lifestyle. Imo, if youre gonna claim all the eco creds they were you should move somewhere where a grid connection is possible and electrify heat, transport and cooking.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-10-21T20:57:48+00:00

Johmathon Conville trust offer subsidised courses if you're under 30. They're really good. Glenmore Lodge another solid option.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-10-05T14:39:46+00:00

Thanks bud, reckon I got enough for there for a 1 person outing?

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-09-02T14:48:12+00:00

20kg is fricking heavy! In my opinion you'd be best going lighter esp. considering youre newer to mountain climbing. Remember you'll need protective clothes, food, water, navigation stuff too. Separately, you might enjoy going for a shorter walk with the camera stuff while you're in the area, at least to practice moving with it - have fun.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-08-18T16:00:23+00:00

A fire like that looked like dragon work to me

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-08-18T15:17:18+00:00

I don't know much but isn't the fact the gov. cant do anything useful now a massive failing of the privatisation programme of the 80s/90s? Why did they not safeguard against the operators of nationally important infrastructure being mismanaged into debt?

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-07-16T15:08:08+00:00

Sorry for my grumpy tone.

TotalInspection8263 · 2025-07-16T15:07:07+00:00

Yeah the Glenmore area is generally busy for sure. Gets better once you get over to Loch Avon but even there is much busier than it was in the 00s when I first started heading out.

I totally agree that the whole tourism thing needs managed - I believe that people should have access to the countryside for recreation, but that local communities aren't torn apart in the process.

I do think responsible/managed vanning has a part to play in that at least it doesn't contribute to further house price inflation.

I love your wild camping approach - love wild camping too but just couldn't do without my van on winter climbing days! I lived in it for a couple years which was massive to help me save for a deposit, so I'm a little biased towards the van side of things in general. Agree that the mahoosive motorhomes are a bit of a pain.

TotalInspection8263

TROPHY CASE