Expect to be cutting wood for a good two to three hours a day if you want to stay warm in Winter. Go prepared. If you don’t carry it in then you won’t have it. Always take a back up shelter just in case the Bothy is full or locked, or maybe damaged. A bothy normally has a couple of basic chairs, a table, a fireplace or wood burning stove, if your lucky a couple of roll mats or a campers bed. Sometimes some candles, dried food items, maybe a can of beer may have been left by the previous visitors. Pray that there is some dried wood left in the bothy. If not then search for 'dead' wood near to the bothy, NEVER cut live wood. Carrying a bag of house coal in is hard work but house coal burns slower than wood and gives off more heat. Bothies can be draughty, cold and in some case damp places. At night it gets very, very dark outside. Remember you have to find a good water source, and don't forget their are no available toilet facilities so practice digging holes in the dark and rain. Starting a wood fire is an art in itself so do your research and practice because wood can be damp, wet and just plain stubborn to burn at times. Never leave your rubbish, you carried it in so carry it out. Respect other bothy users, treat the bothy with respect, clean and sweep it out before you leave. Lastly support the MBA (Mountain Bothy Association) who's volunteers keep these bothies going, the MBA is a charitable organisation and needs your support, at least get membership which I believe in 2020 is only £25 for a year. Hope this helps.
9 фев 2020
