This headlamp has grown on me | Lightweight, double-click, four settings, good battery life, 160 Lumens max | No longer miss my old Black Diamond Spot. And they might be right. Plot a route that works best for you. Its possible to get breakfast cereals, instant pasta, rice etc and in most of them its possible to buy hot meat pies/pastas and sausage rolls. First things that came to mind would be the shorter daylight hours and the potential for wilder (and chillier) weather. Maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B&Bs. Get to know this 233.9-mile point-to-point trail near Fort William, Highlands. I cant recommend the CWT highly enough; you should definitely do it sooner rather than later! With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. Required fields are marked *. Know which towns have a train station or bus connection before you set off. Rather than lugging a compendium of OS maps, go with the two waterproof Harvey Maps North and South. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! The biggest choice facing hikers is how to begin their journey; via the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant (Note: The two options eventually meet up at Shiel Bridge). The Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km (372 mi) backcountry route across Bolivia's Altiplano region. The terrain is often boggy and almost always soggy, so if you have an aversion to wet feet, you may want to look elsewhere. I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any deer fences to cross on the route? They know the area and what to expect on higher routes. In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. Hey Rob, Your first order of business will be getting to Fort William to start your adventure. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies. Ah young love/lust! Cam. Thanks for the kind words. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 35, June 14, 2022. A singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Towns are few and far between. The full 17-day Cape Wrath Trail North to South Itinerary, Cape Wrath Trail North to South Itinerary, Coast to Coast Walk Camping across England FAQ. Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map ( Cicerone Press) At a Glance Distance : 370 km (230 miles) approx. Initially following the Great Glen, the route turns north to cross Glen Garry, Glen Loyne and Glenshiel before crossing the wilderness to Strathcarron, continuing north through Torridon, Dundonnell (ferry) and . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hiking 370km on the Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland | Kit, planning, logistics, food, and top tips 41,726 views Oct 17, 2021 1.8K Dislike Share Fit for Adventure 17.1K subscribers This was. Heather Ohly (a Registered Nutritionist) talks through the food choices she and Shane Ohly (Cape Wrath Ultra - Event Director) made whilst walking the Cape W. For details of ferries and bus to Cape Wrath visit visitcapewrath.com. Here's our advice after spending two weeks on the Cape Wrath Trail, with links to the most helpful articles online and our own (slightly adapted)itinerary. It starts in Fort William and ends at the lighthouse . One of the goals for this trip is to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated expedition meals for The Great Outdoors magazine. Just came back (August 2020). It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs can save the day. I just get too chilly. Buy both the Cape Wrath Trail North and Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2! Did you bring any dehydrated beans with you (its very hard to get them in the UK) or did you just hoover up anything available in the shop? Although they are 1:40,000 in scale, they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked. In regards to the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a tough one. Resupplying on the Cape Wrath Trail can be difficult so I set off with 7 days food and had a 7 day resupply package at Kinlochewe. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). While not the most storm-worthy shelter in the Tarptent stable, I think the Aeon Li should suffice for the Cape Wrath Trail. I took a gas canister stove, but I saw shops that sold both meths and gas along the route, (Shiel Bridge Petrol Station, Ullapool Northwest Stores, Kinlochbervie London Stores). Neither the Cape Wrath Ultra nor the Cape Wrath Trail is sign-posted or waymarked, although you may come across some formal or informal posts, pillars or markers at times. Outdoors Father is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Now I want to try to hike it in end of October early November. Breakfast while breaking camp with a cup of coffee After 2 hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami) After another 2 hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami), a coffee and a chocolate biscuit 2 more hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami) If youre walking from Cape Wrath to Fort William, as I did, then youll need to get yourself up to Durness to start the hike. (photo from Wikipedia). Id say they are more or less on the same level. View topic - Cape Wrath Trail Food Walkhighlands In fact it's only 200 - 250 miles. Brilliant thank you for the reply! Iain has found a good balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives. Apr 27, 2012. But more on this later. 6 thoughts on " Cape Wrath Trail 6 day hike Part 1 - COMPLETED! Here's what to expect: I spent around 180 on lightweight prepackaged hiking meals, hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my own porridge mix. . Midges were horrific, Im traumatised. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. Midge bites, theyll drive you crazy. Youll more than likely have amazingly bright days, too, but be prepared for rain. Add weight to your squats after a while! I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a new YouTube channel. These are to drink twice a day as needed, Coffee I love coffee so Im not giving it up, but it will be cut down to once a day as I break camp. I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. The Premui Trail: A perfect guide to the Velebit mountains, Sustainable tourism destinations to inspire your next adventure, A Practical Guide to hiking Tara National Park, 5 Long Hiking Trails in Tara National Park, Stara Planina: Hiking one of Serbias hidden gems, Cycling in Japan: 6 days through Niigata and Nagano. I wished wed come across your blog before our CWT. CategoriesGear Lists, Scotland, The Hiking Life Blog, Thru-hiking, TrailsTagsAlex Roddie, Brooks, Cape Wrath, Cape Wrath Trail, Cicerone Press, Gaia GPS, Harvey Maps, Hiking, Katabatic Gear, Montbell, Mountain Laurel Designs, Patagonia, Sandwood Bay, Scottish Highlands, TGO Magazine, The Hiking Life, Thru-hiking, thru-hiking Gear Guide, thru-hiking-topics, ultralight backpacking. When it comes to fuel foraging, take only what you need. It was a pleasure to read! No, the CWT is challenging because it will take you across some of the most wet, marshy, pathless, wild and generally difficult terrain the northwestern highlands have to offer. I hiked the Cape Wrath Trail over ten days in the summer of 2018. Theres an Estate Office in Archfary where you might be able to pop in and enquire about the river conditions up to Rhiconich (walking south to north). I completed the trail then,and still have the battle scars to prove it. We tend to use it when someone acts a bit childish or gets outwardly frustrated or angry for no good reason. I met some people who posted rations to campsites along the way so they didnt have to carry it, which is another option, if youre organised enough! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We had better luck with the weather too! But please take care to dowse your fire when leaving and to leave no trace. I was wondering how you went about protecting your camera from the rain? As stated above, youll need to carry around a weeks worth of food for most of the time, as good resupply options often are several days apart. But there is poor nutritional content in dried foods. Your email address will not be published. There are a couple of alternative stages that . What was your route through the latter? Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. Sealskinz waterproof socks are equally as magic, being the one thing that keeps the water out. Im definitely no expert when it comes to anything camera-related. Luckily the rain only lasted an hour or so and then it started to dry out. The writer travelled to Scotland by Caledonian Sleeper . *Disclosure:This post contains some affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. Just dont forget to check the ground in front of your feet every now and then. As you went stove less on the CWT Id be interested to know what type of food you bought in the shops in the villages. My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! Love your musings and information on gear, and, in this particular case, attitude. Especially when its not overly humid. Do you only make money when someone clicks on an equipment link in your posts? Tomorrow is the first officially planned zero day of the trip in the last town (village) of any size (Ullapool) before the end point of Cape Wrath. If you dont have the appropriate kit they can be maddening. This looks amazing! Tinders: Birch bark, King Alfreds cakes, birch polypore. Due to the unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, it is a hike that is best suited to experienced ramblers who possess a good level of fitness, navigation skill, and a stoic disregard of having wet feet. Actually, I joined the West Highland Way and the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath. Not an appealing prospect for a 17-day hike. River crossings, along with midges, will become the bane of your trip. One of the few bothies to have a working power grid! Which is what I did; never let it be said that Cameron James Honan stood in the path of young love! They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. 1A. I wonder whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name this route has. Return to website, Watercolour of Sourlies Bothy, Knoydart by Anthony Harper, A new Cape Wrath Trail Guide YouTube Channel and an Interview with Damian Hall. Hard ice en route to Sandwood Bay. Wet cold is always more challenging, and windy to boot. The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? And we heeded the same advice going in the opposite direction. Food and Drink Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. I'm bringing a tent with a floor . Like a straight up shower cap? And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. I brought my own Breakfast Porridge Mix to start the day with, hardtack (army ration biscuits) with peanut butter for lunch and dehydrated instant meals for dinner. Although equipment choice is intensely personal, it's always good to know what other people use and I've picked up some excellent tips over the years from fellow walkers that I'd otherwise have missed. The ends of long trails usually have a certain drama, none perhaps more than the obligatory Katahdin sign pose at the end of the Appalachian Trail. Train tickets from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Fort William vary between20 and30 for a one-way trip. After slogging through a late afternoon downpour on the first day of the Glenfinnan Variant, Ma Nature treated me to a beautiful rainbow. The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britains toughest long distance walk. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Exped Thunder 70 A big pack that still manages to keep the weight down. For breakfasts Id generally soak porridge in the morning with powdered milk; 4. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. Midges prefer dark colours to light ones, so why they make black head nets (and more to the point, why I bought one) is a mystery. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). I find it appealing because I love the idea of being out alone on the trails in such a wild part of the country. Does this sound good to you? I thought the first half from Cape Wrath to Kinlochewe was the most picturesque (I walked north to south, get the itinerary), but then again there are different routes so maybe I just picked the worst one from there south! This is all about learning from my own mistakes. Another option is to walk the epic Cape Wrath Trail. Duplex I cant personally comment about the storm worthiness of this shelter. Id love to do this route before I get too old and creaky. This goes to show it really doesnt need to be an expensive trip, as long as you take care to watch your spending a little bit! One armed blind folks can sew better than me. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. No worries. They became my best friend on the trail! The Cape Wrath Trail travels up Scotland from Fort William to Cape Wrath, an isolated lighthouse at the most north westerly point of Britain. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. The route is described from south to north in 14 stages, with 6 alternative stages along the way, allowing for a flexible itinerary of between two and three weeks. 1B. Fats and slow-burning carbs (like beans and whole grains) provide your body with long-term energy, while fast-burning, simple carbohydrates like fruits and sugars can provide that extra bit of short-term kick to get you going. Great value food and walkers' accommodation on the Cape Wrath Trail It is a day's walk from Fort William (23 miles on flat loch-side terrain) is Laggan Locks. Did you use it much on the CWT?? Your blog has been a really big inspiration for me over the last couple years and Im slowly crossing off your top 100 list (itll take a lifetime I guess).Thanks heaps! Lets get you started! Regards, Jamie. Naturally I investigated, and upon opening the door I was greeted with the sight of a young couple in an advanced state of undress getting more than a little hot and heavy. Bad weather does make one more accountable to every move/item of clothing; what happens if I get this piece of clothing wet, and theres only one piece of dry clothing to replace it in camp? Pack for worst-case scenario conditions. I often do this on Summer hikes where staying warm isnt an issue. There are some similarities between hiking there and in Alaska, but for the most part I feel like they are quite distinct experiences. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. In regards to general tips on fording, I wrote an article on the subject that might be helpful: https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/03/how-to-ford-a-river/ All the best on your hike! Glenfinnan Viaduct and the train to Hogwarts! So I was a little surprised when over the sound of howling wind and rain, I heard noises emanating from the downstairs sleeping room. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. Grid ref. Whenever possible Id pack out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points. Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. This post is going to look at kit, not so much the kit I plan to use, but at the Kit List spreadsheet I have developed that allows me to . As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Another important note is to know your exit points in advance. I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. Not only will your gear be toasty warm and dry, youll get an all-you-can-eat brekkie (cereal/toast/fruit) and be able to pick up food in the shop for dinner (frozen meals/pizza) and some basic food supplies for the rest of your trip. During the days Id also eat bars, trail mix, crisps, nuts; basically whatever I could find. See the, : There arent as many resupply options on the CWT as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles. October early November drinking water should never really be a problem in the B Bs... # x27 ; m bringing a tent with a floor go with the demands the! The lack of way marking ( or even defined paths in many places ) relying on shops and restaurants whole! The whole way, youll have to be more scenic is all about from... Lara didn & # x27 ; s only 200 - 250 miles decision when planning an expedition on CWT! 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Continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath Trail informative and helpful, joined! Harvey maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name route! To prove it woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, pine nuts, Birch sap, berries... Comes to anything camera-related to help keep up your energy in between meals every now then. Ten days in the Tarptent stable, I think the Aeon Li should suffice the... Ground in front of your feet every now and then the water out to Cape Wrath Trail ten! Visited on the same advice going in the Highlands for their first multi-day...