Hi, Im Annie Le. Im a scottish outdoor adventury type person. I have done bikepacking and bikerafting expeditions all over the world, including Iceland (summer and winter), Nepal, Greenland (summer and winter) Lapland and Patagonia. I am most often found in tent somewhere in the scottish highlands. I love moving through and exploring new landscapes by bike, having time to absorb the small details and understand my surroundings. I am also an instructor and coach, working for Backcountry.scot in Aviemore. I love helping people find thier own journey to adventure so give me a shout!
how is the floor of the mesh insert? Could you set up a compact camp chair in it? Do you cook in in as well? Contemplating the ½ insert, but would love the bug protection from where I use it. Thanks.
Such an incredible looking area. Are or were you using Alpack Caribous rafts? You guys look to have a dialed in kit. My second watch as I just got into bikerafting
I prefer a Trangia spirit stove over gas any day of the week. Does it take longer? sure but what's the rush? get camp set up while it's going. Still nice and fast to boil water for a drink and takes up 1/4 of the space as the monster jetboil. Mine fit's inside my Titanium cup which fit's inside my Titanium pot.
I'm not doing the whole 550, but i want to ride from Thurso to Inverness via either the coast or inland section of the 550. Which would you recommend? TIA
Brilliant, I love a good snowhole! This year was hopeless in Scotland so I went to Norway with my son to find snow, and there was plenty there. Just a suggestion; it’s a really good idea to have a chimney hole above your stove to allow steam out and ensure ventilation. If you put a walking pole or similar through it you can keep it clear. In drifting conditions it really helps avoid the serious risk of suffocation. I love the bike!
Hey Charles thank for watching! Yes, it been a rubbish winter, i live at the base of the cairngorms and havent managed a snow hole this year. Glad you found snow elsewhere. You cant see it in the video, but i have my probe through the roof above the stove creating a vent and as the weather was calm i made a large doorway and left it open to allow plenty of ventiliation :)
@@annieleoutside6044 glad to hear it; I’ve been snowed in and had to dig out once or twice and it’s not very nice. The first trip I made with my son was when he was 12 and I carried all the kit and dug three holes in three days; he’s 27 now and the balance has swung the other way! I’ve invited my daughter many times but she just thinks it’s madness.
Amazingly inspirational video, i had no idea you could do this in Scotland! Camping in a snow hole is now on my list! Thank you so much for making this video. Great camera work and views too 👏🏼👏🏼😊
Thanks so much! Its not been a very snowy year this year, so much harder to find the right conditions to snow hole. But hopefully you will have the opportunity in future :)
Nice trip! How do you prevent rust on your bike transmission in such conditions? Maybe you apply "Minger" on your chain? 😆 Speaking of cheese, you're warmly welcome to France to taste some feet-flavored ones 😋
Hi there just watched your wee adventure in the Cairngorms in your snow hole. Looked amazing and i am so jealous lol well done you. Are you doing more adventures 🎉
Beautifully done! I like how you balanced both the challenges and pleasures of bike packing!! Dreaming of this route for next year! Thank you for putting this out and all the amazing pink dots!!!
Great video giving a very realistic view of what the route involves. Is it usual for women to wear their cycle helmets in the bar and restaurant in Scotland? Is there some danger I don't know about?
This is the best ht550 video I've seen. Well done to all who have taken part, you're very inspirational. I'm going to do the ht550 in September this year, when I'm 66, as a retirement present to myself. Old but definitely not out!!!!!
Hi Annie ... quick question. Would I be right in saying a XC bike is the tool for HT550 for those at the pointy end How do you think you'd go with a heavier trail MTB? ..and is there anything in the thought that a shiny carbon framed XC bike might get beat up on the HT? LOVED THE VID, of course!!! 😊
Hi, the race has been won on a heavy rigid singlespeed as well as full sussers with all the fancy gear. So im not sure the bike is that important as long as its comfy for you riding long rough miles..
I love this. I am weary of the faster, longer, stronger, conquer narrative of so many adventure films. I much prefer the slower, thoughtful, persevere, reflect, accomplish and grow story line. Thanks for focusing on strong women and inner dialogues.
Thank you, im really glad that that came across. Theres nothing wrong with the other narrative, but there is so much more to adventures and racing than that and it was nice to have an opportunity to show another side
Brilliant video Annie, especially great highlighting the women's field from last year. I think you just inspired me to get back home to the UK and tour that route!
Very happy to hear Nay Nay talk about working out how much you need. Lithium is amazing but doesn't change that you have to see how much power you use in a day. Once you know that multiply by the days of autonomy you want. That's the battery size. Now knowing the battery size you can size a solar setup to replenish on a good day!... pretty straight forward!,we were off grid for 8 days last summer!! 👍
What a great video! I was in the Cairngorms a week ago and had possibly my best ever wild camp next to a frozen Loch Etchachan. Ben Macdui was covered in snow and I used crampons but I want to do a proper winter skills course and stay in a snow cave too!!
I went on a snowholing trip with my college mountaineering club in 1994. We dug snowholes in the same place as you, just below the summit. I wish I'd had a cool bike like that to descend with. The advice back in the day was just to bury your poo. Excellent to see this place again, thank you.
