Thanks mate! what a great day! a fantastic evening and an interestingly windy night! great company and look forward to the next tour! cheers Stripey! Paul.
Wow great hike that Paul. The plateau at the top great for pitching a tent. The smooth rock and boulders are amazing. Shame the stunning day was followed by a wild night, thats Scotland for you 😊 Loved all the photos, thanks for sharing ........Alioban
Thanks so much!!! My one and only time walking in Arran and I loved it! The scenes from the top of that mountain were amazing eh!! The weather was crazy through the night but what an adventure!! Thanks again Alioban! Paul
What a wonderful place and beautiful landscabes. Great trip and cool video.Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed it very much. Hope to see more from your channel. Have a great sunday.
Thanks very much! A cracking wee corner of Scotland! I think Arran is sometimes called Scotland in miniature! Thanks for watching and thanks for the e comments! Cheers Paul
Mate !!!!! Wow this is awesome.whay a landscape. That's the spirit get ya socks n shoes off. Unreal mate. Look forward to a hike with ya big man. ATB Simon.
Cheers Simon! What a fantastic spot we had and those views! Yeah love getting the old feet out for some fresh air on these camps! Cannae beat it! Yeah look forward to it mate! Cheers and hope all is well! Paul
Great video with some stunning shots. That's got me worried about my Access 1, thinking I may have to use a short walking pole on the guy line facing the wind to stop that end folding , thanks for sharing . A
Thanks Andrew! A fantastic setting and hard to go wrong with those mountains! Yeah I have lost a bit of confidence in my only tent! 🥴 I think the wind speed was only around 25mph and that back panel just collapsed. I would be interested in your thoughts? I couldn’t see a way to secure the poles as they are obviously internal? Do you think a poke would stop this? Here’s me looking at a new tent now! 🥴🥴🥴Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 because I use walking poles I was thinking collapse it to it's shortest length , stab it in ground a foot away from the fly, leaning away from the tent then loop your guy line round the handle of the pole before pegging it as normal further out and that should stop the hub folding in ?
Top notch Paul. Arran really is a special place and with great rocky terrain! My childhood memories are from Arran as my parents had a caravan and cottage there from 1979 to 2004. I’m actually just back from Arran today. Was up Goatfell on Monday with my son and daughter scattering my dads ashes at the summit. It was his wish for this to be his final resting place! So many Great memories of Arran and the rocky summits there! ⛰👍👌
Thanks Andrew. This is my first time walking in Arran and I absolutely loved it! What a place. Lovely wee story. Sad but nice to be part of such a beautiful range of mountains 😞😊. A lovely place and I definitely hope to be back soon although not in that weather 🥴🥴cheers mate and hope you are well! Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 yeah all good cheers! My first hill walk was Goatfell in 1979 when I was 7 so I guess that’s what sparked my interest ! Hope all good with you.
We are pretty spoiled up here for access to the hills and what a fantastic wee corner this is! A bit of everything here.....mountains, tors, crags, sea views and some wind! A great wee day out and a place you should definitely put on your bucket list!,,, cheers. Paul
Incredible craggy rock. That drone footage at the nine minute mark was spectacular. Those windy nights may not provide a lot of sleep but they can be sporty in their own way...
Thank you very much Brian! It's a fantastic wee mountain. Yeah my Rab jacket is just a simple down jacket not sure the model? The slippers are north face thermoball slippers which I always take camping with me. Great to get the boots off and let your feet dry and get some air about them. You can get these pretty much anywhere online in various colours and materials! Hope this helps and thanks again. Paul
Stunning Paul. Drone footage wis the biz. 😎👍 YT keeps deleting ma comments so I'll try again. Been years since I've been tae Arran. Need to return. You'll love Jura. Loved ma trip oan the paps. Speedsters has saved me so much money over the years. Nae mare half empty gas caninsters.
Cheers Kev! Perfect weather for the drone! I would love a visit to Jura and hopefully try next year! I am at a loss! My speedster windshield seems to be too big for my cup! I can’t get it to sit on the wee supports! Annoying as ……! Probably just need a bigger pot! More money. Plus I need more patience 🥴🥴was sitting watching the water for ages 🥴. What am I doing wrong 😑!!! Paulo the pot!
Goodness me...!! What a spot... Such a vast array of rock types/formations, ridges, hills, crags and valleys- and the sea with islands in the distance. Just a spectacular view... and as a photographer, I'd prob' fill up a memory card very quickly lol !
Hi Simon! what a fantastic wee spot this is. Everywhere you look there is something amazing to photograph or capture on video..I think between us we must have taken hundreds of photos! With the right camera equipment I guess this would be paradise! thanks again mate and thanks for joining us! Paul.
Thanks Euan! What an absolutely stunning place! Hard to go wrong with views like these! Sitting looking over at Cir Mhor was amazing! Since the weekend I have looked at a few UA-cam videos and realised that this is a obvious problem with the access that I was unaware of. Never felt like it was going to fail completely but it didn't fill me with confidence 😯. Andrew park recommend a possible fix in his comments which I may try but I think I will be putting a new tent on my Santa list! Cheers again. Paul
Fantastic Paul, what a place Arran is, never been there but what amazing topography. Beautiful camp spot and your drone work was second to none.👍 loved the time lapse as well. That will live long in the memory. Well done again mate, absolutely fantastic 👍👍👍 Cheers Franko.👍🏔🥾
Superb Frank! What a great few days out with Stripey and Robert! This is a stunning spot and I will definitely be back over to visit Cir Mhor and the other Corbetts! It was so still in the afternoon and managed to get the drone out several times! I can only imagine the shots you would have captured! Thanks again mate...Paul 😁😁
Thanks for watching! I guess for me this is hailed as a 4 season tent by MSR so therefore you would expect certain characteristics? The winds on the hill that night were no more than 25mph. With a 4 season tent full guyed out in those conditions you wouldn’t expect it to loose is structure? Or maybe you would? Also considering it’s nigh on £700 quid to buy to me that’s a fail! I wouldn’t trust this tent to fully stand in anything more severe. I get that things flex to stop failure…trees in nature do it, we design steel structures to move and flex to mitigate and stop failure but when they flex too much then that’s a failure in my opinion. But I guess one person’s failure is another person’s success! Just my thoughts! Thanks again and cheers for the support!!! ATB. Paul
Don't get me wrong, your channel is great and I like the video. I found it informative but perhaps in fact it acts as an endorsement for the tent rather than demonstrating a "fail"? If you read the full product description that MSR and their retailers have for the tent (which I've edited down for brevity) they say: "....the Access 2 tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent, but warmer than our backpacking tents....the tent offers the protection needed for camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line."
REI paraphrases this on their own website saying: "Lighter than a mountaineering tent but warmer than a backpacking tent, the 4-season MSR Access 2 tent offers ample comfort for 2 on nights in the protected winter conditions found near the tree line." Outside (in the UK) says: " Freestanding and quick to set up, the tent offers the protection you need for camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line" I'd say MSR and those who retail for them have gone out of their way to say this tent, whilst capable of 4 season use, is not suitable for high alpine, open and exposed mountaineering.....but rather....is a lighter weight alternative to such bombproof mountaineering tents (which generally come in at double the weight or more) while being much stronger and warmer than 3 season tents that are in its weigh class. The Access 2 is only 11 ounces heavier than my Hubba NX2....mostly due to the use of heavier weight fabrics and increased volume in both tent and vestibules. But my Hubba simply would not recover from being flattened by wind like that' The poles would have permanently bent or broken. So some might say you pushed the Access past it's intended use (as stated explicitly by the manufacturer) and though it flexed, it did not not "fail". So in a way, the fact that those Syclone poles could bounce back after being pushing past the tent's stated design purpose is more a testimony for success rather than a fail?? Then again, the entire issue seems easily remedied by the simple inclusion of a method to connect the pole "Y" adapter to the rain fly as this seems to align with the guy line attachment point. This would transfer any wind strain on the inner tent into the guy line and prevent the inner tent from being able to flex inward as it did...and so maybe MSR needs to see this as a "fail" (??).
Great points! And I can’t disagree really. You make a good point about the poles and how this could be seen as a success other than a failure and in a way you are right! I have seen other videos were people have retrofitted additional small poles to increase the strength of this joint and your point of the connectivity between the elements to me is key! The wind load is not easily shed to the ground…… Maybe I should have read the blurb beforehand however I still maintain that 25mph winds are not what I consider severe and still think the design is flawed and sticking with my fail 🥴🥴🥴. Your argument stacks up though and I generally agree!
Yeah! Stripey strategically placed himself in a slightly dipped area below me. I was perched right at the top bearing the full brunt of the wind and probably diverted most of it over his tent! 🥴🥴🥴🥴😀😀😀his tent potentially also sheds the wind better being a pyramid? Cheers. Paul
@@MaliceGLA to be fair, I asked Paul if he has network for the latest weather forecast and it took me like ages to find a spot which I was happy with 😎
Get a day like we got and you will not be disappointed! a very interesting night and I think I need a better tent! Thanks for watching and thanks for the comments! Paul.
Aw man, I want to go back to Arran. You'd take those conditions during the day for a sleepless night every time. Can't go wrong with a Speedster Stoves set up either. 🔥
Amazing Robin and so much better than I had hoped! not sure about the speedster stove???? maybe I need to relax and not watch the water trying to boil! Paul.
Thank you! Yeah it’s a speedster meths stove and windshield. Not the fastest of stoves but very cheap and extremely lightweight. They have a website called speedster stoves👍👍Paul
Hey Paul, thank you for the comment on my video... Thought I would check you out.... Big fan of Stripey (he has a great head for the heights...) so good to see you out with him..You got great views on this video so very well done..Nice drone work too. BUT while I really dont like this tent and I understand that videos are about the views putting "Fail" in your title to me is a bit misleading as I an many other will be hoping for more tent carnage thank I saw here. ATB Tom
Thanks very much for watching Tom! Yeah been out a few times with Stripey and it’s always good craic! Yeah I get the fail thing however I think it is subjective? It’s not click bait as my videos are just a record of my wee adventures and not too fussed about viewing figures. To me I assume that most people would anticipate/expect the poles to maintain their structure in these relatively benign conditions and not flex to the extent that they did? Just my humble opinion. For me it was definitely a fail but I guess others can decide. Anyway enough of the semantics 👍 thanks for watching and thanks again for your comments! Cheers Paul
Nice adventure Paul. Arran looks fantastic, beautiful hills with lots of narrow ridges, looking forward to exploring the island at some point. I'm a big fan of jerky and biltong on the hikes too, so moreish though, and floss is a must for afterwards or I end up picking at my teeth all day. Good stuff, cheers.
Cheers Andy! Stripey and Robert ate most of my biltong! Paddy ate the rest by the time I got home! Tasty stuff! Arran was great and only the second time I have been. It’s definitely worth a visit and I will definitely be back to visit Cir Mhor! What a wee peak that is! Cheers again mate. Paul
Fantastic Paul, thoroughly enjoyed that. Have never been to Arran but having seen your video will definitely need to head down there sometime. Given that I also have an MSR tent, was a bit concerned to see how it performed in the wind, must have been a very unpleasant night. All the best - Davie.
Thanks David! Much appreciated! I only stay an hour away from the ferry and it’s only my second time on Arran! Shame! Definitely planning on going back to visit those other Corbetts. The tent was not great! Probably gusting around 25-30 mph and the entire back panel and poles continually collapsed. A wee bit unnerving bit I never felt like the tent would blow away! I have used this tent loads and for most conditions it’s great! If I can save up I may by a new tent anticipating these conditions 🥴 maybe a hilliberg? Thanks again and thanks for watching! Paul
Superb Paul, how good does Arran look on a nice day 👍 What a bloody difference during the night and i feel your pain with the wind and tent carry on. Nothing worse. Like how your confident just filming and chatting away with other people about 👍
Cheers Stevie! This is only my second time on Arran and I absolutely loved it! The weather helped though! Do you know the wind wasn't even that strong! My tent was just a bit pants!,, Think I am getting a bit more relaxed with the camera now! At first I wasnt! Some of my earliest videos are terrible 😁😁😁. I really like your relaxed style! Very honest and open. Cheers again....Paul
That was an epic adventure Paul. Just shows how the weather can quickly change in the mountains. I loved my trip to Arran back in March. It’s a beautiful place and really quiet. I remember not seeing a soul on those hills. Thanks for the Arrochar recommendations by the way. I’ve been to some of the areas you suggested. Walked Ben Vane yesterday which was great fun. I’ll pop some of them on UA-cam when I get home. Appreciate the recommendations 🙂
Thanks Anthony!! I enjoyed watching your Arran trip and have looked forward to a visit since!! Glad you got to visit Ben Vane! A gnarly wee brute of a mountain! Brilliant fun and great views down to the dam! Hope you got some visibility!! Look forward to seeing your videos!! Cheers again mate. Paul
Hi and a nice video What a great island to visit and the mountains were ace Do you have to travel far ? Interesting to see the MSR access failing almost as bad as my MSR Hubba Hubba so now I know the access is still not up to the winds we have, makes you wonder where the mountain part of the name comes from ! Great spacious tents but just not up to it Nice little snack you put together Enjoyed your video Cheers Adrian
Hi Adrian and thanks for watching! Arran is a fantastic wee spot and only around 50 mins drive to the ferry for me. Handy for the shorter days. Usually I am all over the place from short 45 mins to 4 hour drives to the mountains. Yeah I was disappointed with the MSR. It wasn’t over windy and the structure wasn’t able to cope? Not great. I’m already looking for something else. They are not cheap tents either. Did yours fail in the same way? Anyway thanks again for watching and thanks for your comments! Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 hi Paul mine is the Hubba Hubba so lacks the centre pole having only the cross pole which sits up high, mine has folded in all over but always worse at the ends like yours did, it’s also great to put the mesh up in the wind, but when you put the fly sheet on that’s when the fun starts with the wind catching it and folding it straight in !!!!! Using a Vango mirage 2 when it’s windy buts it’s 3 kg but at least it stays up, love the bivy for when I travel light, envious of your location, I am in Northumberland so the Cheviots are my local hills Will sub
@@northumberlandmountainhopper I have never done the bivvy thing but would love to give it a go! If you have any videos/recommendations that would be appreciated. Yeah we are a bit spoiled for mountains up here! I recon you could go out every weekend for a lifetime and still fall short of seeing everything. Will head over to your channel too. Paul
Absolutely amazing 👏 fantastic vlog, great drone footage 👌 Arran looks spectacular 🏔 definitely on the to do list 🥾 pity about the 50mph gusts otherwise it would have been the perfect camp 🏕 atb Brian 👍
Thanks very much Brian! What a fantastic wee weekend trip! I cant wait to get back over again. A lot quicker than a big trip up north! I need a new tent Brian! The MSR was a big fail I think! Paul
Class mate 😍👏🏻..Absolutely loved it ..What a fantastic memory for us all 😁..The editing was superb Paul..I want to go back up again now..Great video of our trip.😍👍..That wind was nuts at some points 😂 Cheers Robert
Probably half the times I've been up on the tops on Arran the wind has came out of nowhere and blew a hoolie only to die down again. You wonder what the hell happened!!!
Alistair, a few people have said the exact same thing! My first experience of Arran and other than the wind it was a fantastic day! My pitch was probably in the worst place for catching the wind though! You live and learn. Cheers! Paul
Nice 1 Paul 👍 Some stunning scenery and fantastic drone footage. Pity about the wind and rain though the nite. Is the jury still out on the speedster? Hoping to use mine on a wildcamp in the cairngorms next month. Love Arran pity we missed it. Till the next 1 ATB Tam
Morning Tam! Yeah a fantastic wee trip and those views were amazing! Looking forward to heading back as soon as! It's the first time I've used it Tam and I guess I was a bit impatient about the water boiling! Over 10 minutes 😁. Other than that it was fine! My cup is too small for the stand and it's a bit of a balancing act to keep it steady so I need a bigger pot or cup! Other than that it was fine! Slow and steady! Guess I'm just used to the fast boil with the gas stoves. Where you planning in the gorms? Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 cairngorm beinn mheadhoin, derry cairngorm and ben macdui and a wildcamp at loch etchachan. That's the plan. Your more than welcome to join me but I know u have done the munros.
Only ever been on Arran for work or pleasure, but never in the hills. What can I say? They look as enticing as anything on the mainland with views to match. And the geology?? Those summit rock formations looked fantastic. Pity about the change of weather and sleepless night though. Can't have everything 🙂!!
John what a few days! The Saturday was beautiful, warm and little wind making those views even more amazing. Saturday night into Sunday morning! Wow what a change! Still great fun though albeit without any sleep at all! Once you are feeling it get over here for a wander! Paul
Unfortunately not...Its a well known deficiency with the tent as you can actually attach the guy lines to the poles? still using the tent but not up high! ta. Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 that's a shame. I could be wrong but it seems that you've got the older model - the latest model i think has a guy point at that position and also they've added vent flaps. There's a video i found online where the new model is put up in strong winds and it didn't seem to be flapping like yours.
Top drawer video PA. Those views took me out of the morning commute. I agree that it looked like any really wild place in the world. Pretty poor showing by the MSR though. American tent manufacturers have a different perspective on what makes a 'backcountry' tent. Having said that my 2 favourite 4 season tents are American! How did the other tents do? New sub here!
Views were amazing Dave and the clarity was special. Very dry with little moisture in the air. The tent wasn’t that bad other than the back section collapsed in constantly. I think it’s because there is no way of physically securing the poles via the guy lines? Andrew park suggested a solution of using poles as an added support? I was definitely sited on the most exposed part of the hill but orientated such as to minimize the wind effects. Stripeys tent was in a wee hollow which helped him I think. I wouldn’t trust this tent above 25mph. I think there is a chance of the poles or the sleeves breaking 🥴. Cheers for the subscription! Much appreciated 👍👍all the best. Paul
You hardly find any videos of this tent failing. It seems that people avoid this topic because they like this tent so much. 99% of the time this tent performs perfect. Until it starts to rain. I’m currently looking for a light 4-season, mountain top capable 1 p tent. Came across MSR and how often their tents perform poorly in the rain. The Outdoor Gear Review Channel has done quite some work and published a number of videos on this topic and MSR’s responds to that issue.
Up until this trip I was enjoying this wee tent. It’s roomy, easy to put up and relatively light weight! In the wind however it’s another thing! I wouldn’t rely on it for windy summit camping and it didn’t make for a comfortable nights sleep. I will check out the videos on the channel and have a look! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting! Cheers again.. Paul
It's official, Caisteal Abhail is a tent eater - a heavy toll for such stunning views! Not a major fan of the alcohol stoves on the hills as I've had a few wee 'moments' with them, but I do love to get my trangia out and about for lower level trips 🙂
Must admit that I did pitch on a pretty exposed part of the hill! Guess I was curious about how well the MSR would fair! 🙄🙄not as good as I hoped! The wee stove did eventually get there but it seems to take an eternity. Still going to use it but may take my gas stove as a back up? I have always wanted to get a trangia! Would you recommend one?.
@@PAADVENTURES1 I'd defo recommend a trangia, they may be heavier than the UL alcohol stoves, but they are rock solid and seem to burn really well in comparison with the wee pressurised jets which do feel like they're going to give up the ghost until you've used them enough times. Fantastic bit of kit if you want to just kick back and enjoy the peace and quiet / remain undetected. The Access usually gets a brilliant writeup, so it's a bit disconcerning seeing the poles flexing in like that - only a matter of time before they snap? What were the wind speeds approx?
I think I might treat myself! what size would you recommend? I see there are a few options? I would just be using it for myself. I have had this tent for several years now and never experienced this. Without having an anemometer we guessed wind gusts of between 25 and 30 mph or thereabouts. I have seen several videos now showing this issue with the access 2. I will keep it for summer trips but going to get something a bit more robust for winter! New tent new trangia! nice! Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 Cannae complain mate 😁 Aye the Trangia's are bulletproof, but be sure to get the proper 'trangia' one as the copies take a lot longer to bloom. They're like £15 and will last a lifetime 💥 Caisteal Abhail definitely acts as a wind funnel in my experience, seems to protract gusts if that's even a thing 😅
Cheers! I guess you never know until you try it! And in order to try it you need to buy it? Yeah I think I said I wasn't sure about it due to the time it took to boil water but that's just my impatience! Definitely be in my pack and at £4 it's not a big loss if it dosent get used all the time! Cheers. Paul
Brilliant video Paul really enjoyed it! Looking forward to our next adventure 🐓🎶🤣🤣🤣
Thanks mate! what a great day! a fantastic evening and an interestingly windy night! great company and look forward to the next tour! cheers Stripey! Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 yeah was quite a brise , good to get the condensation out of the tent 😂
Wowzer - what a place Paul, on the list now, incredible, absolutely incredible..👍👍
Thanks Dave! cannae wait to go back myself! Cir Mhor the next visit! with a better tent! Paul.
Wow great hike that Paul. The plateau at the top great for pitching a tent. The smooth rock and boulders are amazing. Shame the stunning day was followed by a wild night, thats Scotland for you 😊 Loved all the photos, thanks for sharing ........Alioban
Thanks so much!!!
My one and only time walking in Arran and I loved it! The scenes from the top of that mountain were amazing eh!! The weather was crazy through the night but what an adventure!! Thanks again Alioban! Paul
Hills are stunning there! Loved the drone footage of the dramatic landscape. 🤩🤩🤩
Thanks Abi! We need to head over in the van this winter ❄️! 👍👍👍
What a wonderful place and beautiful landscabes. Great trip and cool video.Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed it very much. Hope to see more from your channel. Have a great sunday.
Thanks very much! A cracking wee corner of Scotland! I think Arran is sometimes called Scotland in miniature! Thanks for watching and thanks for the e comments! Cheers Paul
Just come across your channel, what absolutely stunning footage. New sub 😊 here. Awesome
Thanks mate!! Pleased you enjoyed it!! Paul
Mate !!!!! Wow this is awesome.whay a landscape. That's the spirit get ya socks n shoes off. Unreal mate. Look forward to a hike with ya big man. ATB Simon.
Cheers Simon! What a fantastic spot we had and those views! Yeah love getting the old feet out for some fresh air on these camps! Cannae beat it! Yeah look forward to it mate! Cheers and hope all is well! Paul
Enjoyed as always Paul. Cracking drone work again. Gordon
Cheers Gordon! A great wee night out.
Paul
Utterly beautiful scenery 👍
Thanks Pete! Much appreciated! Paul
Great video with some stunning shots. That's got me worried about my Access 1, thinking I may have to use a short walking pole on the guy line facing the wind to stop that end folding , thanks for sharing . A
Thanks Andrew! A fantastic setting and hard to go wrong with those mountains!
Yeah I have lost a bit of confidence in my only tent! 🥴 I think the wind speed was only around 25mph and that back panel just collapsed. I would be interested in your thoughts? I couldn’t see a way to secure the poles as they are obviously internal? Do you think a poke would stop this? Here’s me looking at a new tent now! 🥴🥴🥴Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 because I use walking poles I was thinking collapse it to it's shortest length , stab it in ground a foot away from the fly, leaning away from the tent then loop your guy line round the handle of the pole before pegging it as normal further out and that should stop the hub folding in ?
@@AndrewParkOutdoors Thanks Andrew! I know what you mean now. Will try that out in the garden and see if it's a fix! Thank you! Paul
A brilliant wee trip to Arran!!
Top notch Paul. Arran really is a special place and with great rocky terrain! My childhood memories are from Arran as my parents had a caravan and cottage there from 1979 to 2004. I’m actually just back from Arran today. Was up Goatfell on Monday with my son and daughter scattering my dads ashes at the summit. It was his wish for this to be his final resting place! So many Great memories of Arran and the rocky summits there! ⛰👍👌
Thanks Andrew. This is my first time walking in Arran and I absolutely loved it! What a place.
Lovely wee story. Sad but nice to be part of such a beautiful range of mountains 😞😊.
A lovely place and I definitely hope to be back soon although not in that weather 🥴🥴cheers mate and hope you are well! Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 yeah all good cheers! My first hill walk was Goatfell in 1979 when I was 7 so I guess that’s what sparked my interest ! Hope all good with you.
Not been up there yet! 👍👍all good mate!
Stunning, stunning Scotland! I wish it wasn't 6 hours drive away.
We are pretty spoiled up here for access to the hills and what a fantastic wee corner this is! A bit of everything here.....mountains, tors, crags, sea views and some wind! A great wee day out and a place you should definitely put on your bucket list!,,, cheers. Paul
Incredible craggy rock. That drone footage at the nine minute mark was spectacular. Those windy nights may not provide a lot of sleep but they can be sporty in their own way...
Sporty is the right word Seth! I have decided that I need a sporty new tent as well now!!! cheers mate!
Thanks for that video. Interesting to watch. Your puffy jacket is from RAB right? And your cozy/puffy shoes - where can I get these?
Thank you very much Brian! It's a fantastic wee mountain. Yeah my Rab jacket is just a simple down jacket not sure the model? The slippers are north face thermoball slippers which I always take camping with me. Great to get the boots off and let your feet dry and get some air about them. You can get these pretty much anywhere online in various colours and materials! Hope this helps and thanks again. Paul
Looks great from the sky! Quite a change in the conditions - Alistair
It was Alastair! Great wee day out though and definitely looking forward to going back! Cheers mate! Paul
Stunning Paul. Drone footage wis the biz. 😎👍 YT keeps deleting ma comments so I'll try again. Been years since I've been tae Arran. Need to return. You'll love Jura. Loved ma trip oan the paps. Speedsters has saved me so much money over the years. Nae mare half empty gas caninsters.
Cheers Kev! Perfect weather for the drone! I would love a visit to Jura and hopefully try next year!
I am at a loss! My speedster windshield seems to be too big for my cup! I can’t get it to sit on the wee supports! Annoying as ……! Probably just need a bigger pot! More money. Plus I need more patience 🥴🥴was sitting watching the water for ages 🥴. What am I doing wrong 😑!!! Paulo the pot!
Great video love the camera work..
Thanks very much Allan! Hard to go wrong with such amazing surroundings! What a fantastic place! Cheers again mate...Paul
Superb video Arran is so special loved the drone footage
Thanks Andrew! This is my first time doing any walking on Arran and I absolutely loved it! Cant wait to go back! Paul
Goodness me...!! What a spot... Such a vast array of rock types/formations, ridges, hills, crags and valleys- and the sea with islands in the distance. Just a spectacular view... and as a photographer, I'd prob' fill up a memory card very quickly lol !
Hi Simon! what a fantastic wee spot this is. Everywhere you look there is something amazing to photograph or capture on video..I think between us we must have taken hundreds of photos! With the right camera equipment I guess this would be paradise! thanks again mate and thanks for joining us! Paul.
Cracking video Paul. Loved the scenery, absolutely stunning. I was looking at the Access...think I'll look elsewhere after watching your video.
Thanks Euan! What an absolutely stunning place! Hard to go wrong with views like these! Sitting looking over at Cir Mhor was amazing!
Since the weekend I have looked at a few UA-cam videos and realised that this is a obvious problem with the access that I was unaware of. Never felt like it was going to fail completely but it didn't fill me with confidence 😯. Andrew park recommend a possible fix in his comments which I may try but I think I will be putting a new tent on my Santa list! Cheers again. Paul
Fantastic Paul, what a place Arran is, never been there but what amazing topography. Beautiful camp spot and your drone work was second to none.👍 loved the time lapse as well.
That will live long in the memory.
Well done again mate, absolutely fantastic 👍👍👍
Cheers
Franko.👍🏔🥾
Superb Frank! What a great few days out with Stripey and Robert! This is a stunning spot and I will definitely be back over to visit Cir Mhor and the other Corbetts! It was so still in the afternoon and managed to get the drone out several times! I can only imagine the shots you would have captured! Thanks again mate...Paul 😁😁
I'm struggling to see the "fail". Sure...strong wind pushed on the side walls. But what was the "failure" of the tent?
Thanks for watching! I guess for me this is hailed as a 4 season tent by MSR so therefore you would expect certain characteristics? The winds on the hill that night were no more than 25mph. With a 4 season tent full guyed out in those conditions you wouldn’t expect it to loose is structure? Or maybe you would? Also considering it’s nigh on £700 quid to buy to me that’s a fail! I wouldn’t trust this tent to fully stand in anything more severe. I get that things flex to stop failure…trees in nature do it, we design steel structures to move and flex to mitigate and stop failure but when they flex too much then that’s a failure in my opinion. But I guess one person’s failure is another person’s success! Just my thoughts! Thanks again and cheers for the support!!! ATB. Paul
Don't get me wrong, your channel is great and I like the video. I found it informative but perhaps in fact it acts as an endorsement for the tent rather than demonstrating a "fail"?
If you read the full product description that MSR and their retailers have for the tent (which I've edited down for brevity) they say: "....the Access 2 tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent, but warmer than our backpacking tents....the tent offers the protection needed for camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line."
REI paraphrases this on their own website saying: "Lighter than a mountaineering tent but warmer than a backpacking tent, the 4-season MSR Access 2 tent offers ample comfort for 2 on nights in the protected winter conditions found near the tree line."
Outside (in the UK) says: " Freestanding and quick to set up, the tent offers the protection you need for camping in less severe conditions, such as those near tree-line"
I'd say MSR and those who retail for them have gone out of their way to say this tent, whilst capable of 4 season use, is not suitable for high alpine, open and exposed mountaineering.....but rather....is a lighter weight alternative to such bombproof mountaineering tents (which generally come in at double the weight or more) while being much stronger and warmer than 3 season tents that are in its weigh class.
The Access 2 is only 11 ounces heavier than my Hubba NX2....mostly due to the use of heavier weight fabrics and increased volume in both tent and vestibules. But my Hubba simply would not recover from being flattened by wind like that' The poles would have permanently bent or broken.
So some might say you pushed the Access past it's intended use (as stated explicitly by the manufacturer) and though it flexed, it did not not "fail". So in a way, the fact that those Syclone poles could bounce back after being pushing past the tent's stated design purpose is more a testimony for success rather than a fail??
Then again, the entire issue seems easily remedied by the simple inclusion of a method to connect the pole "Y" adapter to the rain fly as this seems to align with the guy line attachment point. This would transfer any wind strain on the inner tent into the guy line and prevent the inner tent from being able to flex inward as it did...and so maybe MSR needs to see this as a "fail" (??).
Great points! And I can’t disagree really.
You make a good point about the poles and how this could be seen as a success other than a failure and in a way you are right!
I have seen other videos were people have retrofitted additional small poles to increase the strength of this joint and your point of the connectivity between the elements to me is key! The wind load is not easily shed to the ground……
Maybe I should have read the blurb beforehand however I still maintain that 25mph winds are not what I consider severe and still think the design is flawed and sticking with my fail 🥴🥴🥴. Your argument stacks up though and I generally agree!
Those views are absolutely spectacular!! Yikes, the wind though. Amazing adventure for sure...Bruce and Otis
Amazing place and the views! Wow! Could have sat up there for days! The night time though! A whole new ballgame!! Cheers! Paul
Great video! Mad difference to Stripey's night. Do you think it was the tent or the spot?
Yeah! Stripey strategically placed himself in a slightly dipped area below me. I was perched right at the top bearing the full brunt of the wind and probably diverted most of it over his tent! 🥴🥴🥴🥴😀😀😀his tent potentially also sheds the wind better being a pyramid? Cheers. Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 thanks a lot Paul! He should have paid you 😂. Yeah he mentioned that he quite likes the shape for shredding the wind.
He did have a giggle in the morning 🥴🥴
@@MaliceGLA to be fair, I asked Paul if he has network for the latest weather forecast and it took me like ages to find a spot which I was happy with 😎
@@PAADVENTURES1 still have 😂
I've not been to Arran kept waiting for perfect weather as it looks so majestic.It was so nice during the day and it's shame it got stormy.
Get a day like we got and you will not be disappointed! a very interesting night and I think I need a better tent! Thanks for watching and thanks for the comments! Paul.
Out with the stripey and Robert!!!!1😀😀😀😀
Great fun! thanks for watching! Paul.😀😀
Aw man, I want to go back to Arran. You'd take those conditions during the day for a sleepless night every time. Can't go wrong with a Speedster Stoves set up either. 🔥
Amazing Robin and so much better than I had hoped! not sure about the speedster stove???? maybe I need to relax and not watch the water trying to boil! Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 the trick with Speedster Stoves is they're much more stable, so you can potter about and do other stuff whilst it reaches the boil.
@@WalkWithWallace I guess I need to relax more Robin! Take it easy! 🥴
@@PAADVENTURES1 aye chillax or get a Jet Boil. 😂
@@WalkWithWallace funny enough I think I need a jet boil in my life! 🙏🏻😩
Fantastic scenery! What’s the little stove set you are using? Looks like a really nice piece of kit! ATB Carl
Thank you! Yeah it’s a speedster meths stove and windshield. Not the fastest of stoves but very cheap and extremely lightweight. They have a website called speedster stoves👍👍Paul
Hey Paul, thank you for the comment on my video... Thought I would check you out.... Big fan of Stripey (he has a great head for the heights...) so good to see you out with him..You got great views on this video so very well done..Nice drone work too. BUT while I really dont like this tent and I understand that videos are about the views putting "Fail" in your title to me is a bit misleading as I an many other will be hoping for more tent carnage thank I saw here. ATB Tom
Thanks very much for watching Tom! Yeah been out a few times with Stripey and it’s always good craic!
Yeah I get the fail thing however I think it is subjective? It’s not click bait as my videos are just a record of my wee adventures and not too fussed about viewing figures. To me I assume that most people would anticipate/expect the poles to maintain their structure in these relatively benign conditions and not flex to the extent that they did? Just my humble opinion. For me it was definitely a fail but I guess others can decide. Anyway enough of the semantics 👍 thanks for watching and thanks again for your comments! Cheers Paul
Nice adventure Paul. Arran looks fantastic, beautiful hills with lots of narrow ridges, looking forward to exploring the island at some point. I'm a big fan of jerky and biltong on the hikes too, so moreish though, and floss is a must for afterwards or I end up picking at my teeth all day. Good stuff, cheers.
Cheers Andy! Stripey and Robert ate most of my biltong! Paddy ate the rest by the time I got home! Tasty stuff! Arran was great and only the second time I have been. It’s definitely worth a visit and I will definitely be back to visit Cir Mhor! What a wee peak that is! Cheers again mate. Paul
Fantastic Paul, thoroughly enjoyed that. Have never been to Arran but having seen your video will definitely need to head down there sometime. Given that I also have an MSR tent, was a bit concerned to see how it performed in the wind, must have been a very unpleasant night. All the best - Davie.
Thanks David! Much appreciated! I only stay an hour away from the ferry and it’s only my second time on Arran! Shame!
Definitely planning on going back to visit those other Corbetts.
The tent was not great! Probably gusting around 25-30 mph and the entire back panel and poles continually collapsed. A wee bit unnerving bit I never felt like the tent would blow away! I have used this tent loads and for most conditions it’s great! If I can save up I may by a new tent anticipating these conditions 🥴 maybe a hilliberg? Thanks again and thanks for watching! Paul
Superb Paul, how good does Arran look on a nice day 👍
What a bloody difference during the night and i feel your pain with the wind and tent carry on.
Nothing worse.
Like how your confident just filming and chatting away with other people about 👍
Cheers Stevie! This is only my second time on Arran and I absolutely loved it! The weather helped though! Do you know the wind wasn't even that strong! My tent was just a bit pants!,,
Think I am getting a bit more relaxed with the camera now! At first I wasnt! Some of my earliest videos are terrible 😁😁😁. I really like your relaxed style! Very honest and open.
Cheers again....Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 I've never been to Arran mate.
Maybe some of the islands could be in my future plans
That was an epic adventure Paul. Just shows how the weather can quickly change in the mountains. I loved my trip to Arran back in March. It’s a beautiful place and really quiet. I remember not seeing a soul on those hills. Thanks for the Arrochar recommendations by the way. I’ve been to some of the areas you suggested. Walked Ben Vane yesterday which was great fun. I’ll pop some of them on UA-cam when I get home. Appreciate the recommendations 🙂
Thanks Anthony!! I enjoyed watching your Arran trip and have looked forward to a visit since!!
Glad you got to visit Ben Vane! A gnarly wee brute of a mountain! Brilliant fun and great views down to the dam! Hope you got some visibility!! Look forward to seeing your videos!! Cheers again mate. Paul
Hi and a nice video
What a great island to visit and the mountains were ace
Do you have to travel far ?
Interesting to see the MSR access failing almost as bad as my MSR Hubba Hubba so now I know the access is still not up to the winds we have, makes you wonder where the mountain part of the name comes from ! Great spacious tents but just not up to it
Nice little snack you put together
Enjoyed your video
Cheers Adrian
Hi Adrian and thanks for watching! Arran is a fantastic wee spot and only around 50 mins drive to the ferry for me. Handy for the shorter days. Usually I am all over the place from short 45 mins to 4 hour drives to the mountains.
Yeah I was disappointed with the MSR. It wasn’t over windy and the structure wasn’t able to cope? Not great. I’m already looking for something else. They are not cheap tents either. Did yours fail in the same way?
Anyway thanks again for watching and thanks for your comments! Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 hi Paul mine is the Hubba Hubba so lacks the centre pole having only the cross pole which sits up high, mine has folded in all over but always worse at the ends like yours did, it’s also great to put the mesh up in the wind, but when you put the fly sheet on that’s when the fun starts with the wind catching it and folding it straight in !!!!! Using a Vango mirage 2 when it’s windy buts it’s 3 kg but at least it stays up, love the bivy for when I travel light, envious of your location, I am in Northumberland so the Cheviots are my local hills
Will sub
@@northumberlandmountainhopper I have never done the bivvy thing but would love to give it a go! If you have any videos/recommendations that would be appreciated. Yeah we are a bit spoiled for mountains up here! I recon you could go out every weekend for a lifetime and still fall short of seeing everything. Will head over to your channel too. Paul
Absolutely amazing 👏 fantastic vlog, great drone footage 👌 Arran looks spectacular 🏔 definitely on the to do list 🥾 pity about the 50mph gusts otherwise it would have been the perfect camp 🏕 atb Brian 👍
Thanks very much Brian! What a fantastic wee weekend trip! I cant wait to get back over again. A lot quicker than a big trip up north! I need a new tent Brian! The MSR was a big fail I think! Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1 I haven't experienced winds like that with the MSR Elixir Paul but I think most tents would struggle in those conditions 🙄
Class mate 😍👏🏻..Absolutely loved it ..What a fantastic memory for us all 😁..The editing was superb Paul..I want to go back up again now..Great video of our trip.😍👍..That wind was nuts at some points 😂
Cheers
Robert
Brilliant Robert! thanks for arranging this! cannae wait to go back already! Cir Mhor the next time!!! Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 Defo mate ..You’ll love it up there 😍
Robert - that was a belter!
@@murchiesmountains2820 Cannae wait!
@@ALochOnTheWildSide we could catch up over there too Dave?
Cracking video chaps new subscriber.
Thanks Gazza! Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you will enjoy our future adventures! Thanks very much again mate! Paul
Wow mate what a great video .. they views are amazing 🤩🤩🤩 drone footage top notch ma man 🫡⛰️
Cheers David! Watching this back and really enjoyed this wee trip!! Missing my drone 😩😩😩. Hoping to head over again this year 👍👍
@PAADVENTURES1 you have inspired me to get over there for a wee day hike at some point cheers for that ⛰️🫡
Probably half the times I've been up on the tops on Arran the wind has came out of nowhere and blew a hoolie only to die down again.
You wonder what the hell happened!!!
Alistair, a few people have said the exact same thing! My first experience of Arran and other than the wind it was a fantastic day! My pitch was probably in the worst place for catching the wind though! You live and learn. Cheers! Paul
Nice 1 Paul 👍
Some stunning scenery and fantastic drone footage.
Pity about the wind and rain though the nite.
Is the jury still out on the speedster?
Hoping to use mine on a wildcamp in the cairngorms next month.
Love Arran pity we missed it.
Till the next 1
ATB
Tam
Morning Tam! Yeah a fantastic wee trip and those views were amazing! Looking forward to heading back as soon as!
It's the first time I've used it Tam and I guess I was a bit impatient about the water boiling! Over 10 minutes 😁. Other than that it was fine! My cup is too small for the stand and it's a bit of a balancing act to keep it steady so I need a bigger pot or cup! Other than that it was fine! Slow and steady! Guess I'm just used to the fast boil with the gas stoves. Where you planning in the gorms? Paul
@@PAADVENTURES1
cairngorm beinn mheadhoin, derry cairngorm and ben macdui and a wildcamp at loch etchachan.
That's the plan.
Your more than welcome to join me but I know u have done the munros.
Only ever been on Arran for work or pleasure, but never in the hills. What can I say? They look as enticing as anything on the mainland with views to match. And the geology?? Those summit rock formations looked fantastic.
Pity about the change of weather and sleepless night though. Can't have everything 🙂!!
John what a few days! The Saturday was beautiful, warm and little wind making those views even more amazing. Saturday night into Sunday morning! Wow what a change! Still great fun though albeit without any sleep at all! Once you are feeling it get over here for a wander! Paul
Arran is really a very good place for camping, the wind is quite strong guys.... Hi I'm a new friend 🙏🏻☺
Thanks very much! Paul
Are there any extra guy line points that can stop it collapsing?
Unfortunately not...Its a well known deficiency with the tent as you can actually attach the guy lines to the poles?
still using the tent but not up high! ta. Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 that's a shame. I could be wrong but it seems that you've got the older model - the latest model i think has a guy point at that position and also they've added vent flaps. There's a video i found online where the new model is put up in strong winds and it didn't seem to be flapping like yours.
Top drawer video PA. Those views took me out of the morning commute. I agree that it looked like any really wild place in the world. Pretty poor showing by the MSR though. American tent manufacturers have a different perspective on what makes a 'backcountry' tent. Having said that my 2 favourite 4 season tents are American! How did the other tents do? New sub here!
Views were amazing Dave and the clarity was special. Very dry with little moisture in the air. The tent wasn’t that bad other than the back section collapsed in constantly. I think it’s because there is no way of physically securing the poles via the guy lines? Andrew park suggested a solution of using poles as an added support? I was definitely sited on the most exposed part of the hill but orientated such as to minimize the wind effects. Stripeys tent was in a wee hollow which helped him I think. I wouldn’t trust this tent above 25mph. I think there is a chance of the poles or the sleeves breaking 🥴. Cheers for the subscription! Much appreciated 👍👍all the best. Paul
You hardly find any videos of this tent failing. It seems that people avoid this topic because they like this tent so much. 99% of the time this tent performs perfect. Until it starts to rain. I’m currently looking for a light 4-season, mountain top capable 1 p tent. Came across MSR and how often their tents perform poorly in the rain. The Outdoor Gear Review Channel has done quite some work and published a number of videos on this topic and MSR’s responds to that issue.
Up until this trip I was enjoying this wee tent. It’s roomy, easy to put up and relatively light weight! In the wind however it’s another thing! I wouldn’t rely on it for windy summit camping and it didn’t make for a comfortable nights sleep. I will check out the videos on the channel and have a look! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting! Cheers again.. Paul
It's official, Caisteal Abhail is a tent eater - a heavy toll for such stunning views! Not a major fan of the alcohol stoves on the hills as I've had a few wee 'moments' with them, but I do love to get my trangia out and about for lower level trips 🙂
Must admit that I did pitch on a pretty exposed part of the hill! Guess I was curious about how well the MSR would fair! 🙄🙄not as good as I hoped!
The wee stove did eventually get there but it seems to take an eternity. Still going to use it but may take my gas stove as a back up? I have always wanted to get a trangia! Would you recommend one?.
@@PAADVENTURES1 I'd defo recommend a trangia, they may be heavier than the UL alcohol stoves, but they are rock solid and seem to burn really well in comparison with the wee pressurised jets which do feel like they're going to give up the ghost until you've used them enough times. Fantastic bit of kit if you want to just kick back and enjoy the peace and quiet / remain undetected.
The Access usually gets a brilliant writeup, so it's a bit disconcerning seeing the poles flexing in like that - only a matter of time before they snap? What were the wind speeds approx?
I think I might treat myself! what size would you recommend? I see there are a few options? I would just be using it for myself.
I have had this tent for several years now and never experienced this. Without having an anemometer we guessed wind gusts of between 25 and 30 mph or thereabouts. I have seen several videos now showing this issue with the access 2. I will keep it for summer trips but going to get something a bit more robust for winter! New tent new trangia! nice! Paul.
@@PAADVENTURES1 Cannae complain mate 😁 Aye the Trangia's are bulletproof, but be sure to get the proper 'trangia' one as the copies take a lot longer to bloom. They're like £15 and will last a lifetime 💥
Caisteal Abhail definitely acts as a wind funnel in my experience, seems to protract gusts if that's even a thing 😅
Stunning?
Thanks!
If you dont like the alcohol stove then why the fk did you buy it
Cheers! I guess you never know until you try it! And in order to try it you need to buy it?
Yeah I think I said I wasn't sure about it due to the time it took to boil water but that's just my impatience! Definitely be in my pack and at £4 it's not a big loss if it dosent get used all the time! Cheers. Paul