As it was Winter, there were not a lot of resupply points so posting food parcels to strategic locations along the route was necessary. When I stopped walking and the midges were swarming, Id quickly put on my rain pants, which together with the long sleeve shirt, cap and head net, kept me pretty well covered. NZs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry? Also just to let you know my wife and I did the Wilson Prom Circuit in March and your post was the major resource we used. So be prepared to do some research on the different routes available, and bring a map and compass! 50g of sugar will offer some extra boost to the hot drinks if needed, Extra meal extra breakfast, two more oats bars and a high (1000) calorie freeze dried meal by Expedition Foods. Top end wrapped in orange tape so I wont lose it. I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999.I think a big reason is diligent use of hand sanitizer. Good on you! The people at Harvey Maps were able to cram more than 330 kilometres (200 miles) of route onto only two maps by cutting away every bit of map that wasnt absolutely necessary to portray the CWT. I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any deer fences to cross on the route? Cheers, I was wondering how you went about protecting your camera from the rain? 2. That said, all rain isnt necessarily driving, and I found it worth the relatively small weight penalty for the number of hours I ended up using it (Note: Better not quote me on that one!). Cheers, The plan was to camp a little shy of Okyel Bridge and then head to its namesake hotel the following morning for a big breakfast. Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. As always, Im always available for any questions you might still have! From south to north there are stores at Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe and Kinlochbervie. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I live in Alaska and its often damp, breezy, cloudy, foggy. Add weight to your squats after a while! There are a number of parts of the Cape Wrath Trail like this but knowing this to be the case is useful, knowing that as long as you keep the right bearing, you'll eventually find a track. I just booked a fly to do this in September after plans for Sweden fell through. ~Cam Swami Honan The most traveled hiker on earth (Backpacker Magazine, January 2015). Youve been warned. It connects with the West Highland Way, North Highland Way and part of an alternative route suggested by Cameron McNeish which follows the Great Glen Way out of Fort William before joining the main route in Glen Shiel. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. 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). Or plot your own route! With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Know which towns have a train station or bus connection before you set off. Day 1 - rain and sunsets. We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. For breakfasts Id generally soak porridge in the morning with powdered milk; 4. : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. We then had a wonderful camp near by and had a tasty breakfast the next morning. (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. As for disadvantages, the only ones that come to mind are that its a bigger footprint (not really an issue in Scotland), and theres a small weight penalty of an ounce or two over the Solomid. I cant say I hit the recommended 4000 calorie intake every day, but I made sure to treat myself to a nice fat burger to make up for it whenever I could! Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. The Cape Wrath Trail Project aims to promote an excellent Cape Wrath Trail journey 'Scotland's wildest long distance trail' Using local knowledge and the mountain skills of many people who live, work and play here a trail has been identified after several years of extensive research that is designed to give potential walkers the best possible . Im amazed at you hiking always in shorts. The benefit, though, is they are added protein when they kamikaze into your food, which they will do, at every opportunity. I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. I haven't managed a night in my tent since last October (in Zagori) and I have been desperate to get off grid for a few days. . Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs). Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. Glenfinnan Viaduct and the train to Hogwarts! Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. As for the up-sizing to the Duomid on this last trip to Scotland/Norway, it was really just to have a bit more space when the weather came in. I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. Thanks for your message. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. Get to know this 233.9-mile point-to-point trail near Fort William, Highlands. The end of the trail is remote Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness. Yup, seven days. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. It has the reputation of being Britain's toughest long distance walk. Which brings us to another important part of your preparation: stamina. Just a few minutes' walk away from the Cape Wrath Trail route is the Great Glen Hostel at Laggan, which provides good value accommodation and meals ideal for walkers. Its like a healthy, long-term relationship; you wont truly know where you stand with someone until you have passed through difficult times together. In fact it's only 200 - 250 miles. I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! The path is not waymarked and has many variations. Thanks for the kind words. Thank you for the kind words. 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. Your email address will not be published. In both versions the trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. 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! River crossings, along with midges, will become the bane of your trip. Thanks for the kind words. As I headed back out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin. Like a straight up shower cap? See you on the Trail! not too fast / not too slow in order to minimise sweating yet still stay warm), layering, changes in conditions, and calorie and H2O intake. While this trail has its share of bothies and other forms of accommodation along the way, they are not numerous enough to provide shelter every night. Midge bites, theyll drive you crazy. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. Plot a course thatll have you visit the many small towns hugging the western coastline. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. The reason the mileage is approximate is because there is not an actual trail. 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. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. Find out where to stay when on the trail. I hope you find this episode inspiring! Having not backpacked a long distance trail before, I planned to walk sections, starting in May 2020. Cape Wrath Trail 0: Approach to Fort William. Do you only make money when someone clicks on an equipment link in your posts? Will upgrade to. You might even want to spend an extra day or two in this area to climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain! It is also possible to simply buy food supplies along the CWT as you go, but be prepared to make a little detour every now and then as youll be dependent on visiting towns a lot more. The melancholic murmurs of Heathcliff's voice from Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse,' sends shivers down your spine, as you can almost hear them upon beholding the famous Cape Wrath Lighthouse. 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. They know the area and what to expect on higher routes. I spent around 180 on lightweight prepackaged hiking meals, hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my own porridge mix. Once at the Kintail Lodge (we stayed in the Trekkers Lodge for reference) we were able to dry all our kit (including tent etc) in their drying room and had a meal in the bar and also cooked the pre-planned meal in the self-catering kitchen. Whenever possible Id pack out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points. I will mention this again: if you are not physically prepared and/or have no previous experience with (solo) long distance hiking, you should not be walking the Cape Wrath trail alone! It contains detailed information for more than 200 of the worlds great hikes and was put together with the mission of inspiring and enabling folks to go backpacking. Because its not. OMM Rotor Vest An ultralight synthetic vest, ideal for layering in winter. Kendal mint cake, which is 98 percent sugar, also works a treat! Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. One group of hikers were told very honestly that unless they fancied swimming, they should walk along the road to Rhiconich. Towel, neck/face protection, condensation wipe, convenience store holdups when low on cash. I often do this on Summer hikes where staying warm isnt an issue. . . The Essential Guide to Ultralight Bivy Sacks, The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust off the Beaten Path. I will list only what I consider to be the essentials here; Ill leave it up to you how much extra gear you want to bring. This means that you're treated to a stunning range of exceptional views complete with dramatic coastlines and a wild and vast ocean to admire. When youre ready to start the CWT, the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50. Required fields are marked *. For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. Lets get right to the point here: I spent around 500 on the entire trip, from supplies and transportation (excluding my plane ticket) to the occasional campsite or hostel. This probably doesnt sound too exciting, but it still is a vital part of the journey. Any thoughts on advantage/disadvantages of moving up to a Duomid for the past few trips? Here is a list of things to look out for. The post below includes impressions from the trip, logistical and background information, route recommendations and a gear list. Looking back at Sandwood bay on route to Cape Wrath | Final morning. Wet cold is always more challenging, and windy to boot. 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. And for those of a wayfaring disposition such as myself, I cant think of a better teacher than Mother Nature. For details of ferries and bus to Cape Wrath visit visitcapewrath.com. Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. Its marked as a campsite on the maps so naturally the smooth area of grass was where three sets of hikers (us included) had pitched. The Cape Wrath Trail. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. Going South to North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William. Ill explain this further under Logistics below. Hey Swami, Im heading up to Scotland in May to have a go at the cape wrath, Im toying with taking a dedicated compact camera as the lens on my phone camera is wrecked. When its wet here it doesnt get all that cold. And if the roles had been reversed and some weather-beaten old bastard had accidentally walked in on me and my partner, I would have also been polite (or at least tried to be), but secretly would have been hoping that hed decide to continue on his way. Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. Obviously, the more foodyou take with you the more calories you will burn to carry it, so planning food is about striking a balance betweencalories burnt versusconsumed, while also meeting your nutritional needs. Good to know. I must admit, not completing it hadnt occurred to me, but with gales that had lifted tents from campsites and continual rain only four days before we set off, it was easy to see why. I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. Hard ice en route to Sandwood Bay. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. My base weight for the Cape Wrath Trail was 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg), and the total weight came in at 12.3 lb (5.6 kg). And they might be right. Pitched the tent & had a comfortable hour having food & few brews before the expected rain came in. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. The terrain is often boggy and almost always soggy, so if you have an aversion to wet feet, you may want to look elsewhere. My trip has been supported by the following food brands: Firepot Bl Band (via Base Camp Food) LYO Expedition (via Base Camp Food) Expedition Food (via Base Camp Food) Summit to Eat (via Base Camp Food) The trail starts in Fort William and finishes at Cape Wrath in the far North West of Scotland, nominally 230 miles (370km), although it can be walked in either direction. Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. What sections would you suggest to skip? Whether it be on trail or in your everyday life, being able to accept, embrace and learn from the tough periods is fundamental to growth. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. This family-run bus service will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT at Cape Wrath! Especially at that time of year; its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. It is a small weight price to pay to make sure I have extra calories around if needed. Have a read of this article from Jorgen Johansson which talks specifically about how the tent performs in inclement weather in an environment not dissimilar to what you will encounter in Scotland. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. Take lightweight diving or pool shoes with a strong grip on the soles and a secure fit around your feet. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! donkeys years). The Cape Wrath Trail (lets call it the CWT from now on) is known as Scotlands most challenging long-distance trail. Further resupplies at Ullapool Tesco and London Stores allowed me to go on for the remainder of the trip without posting food packages. In regards to the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a tough one. The plan today was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call for a ride from Inverlael to . Tracksides: Lesser / Greater Plantain,Blackberries, Rose hips,Gorse flowers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Find out more Want to rough it out in solitude for a few days? Theme by Jason M Design. Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. Going from north to south and sticking to the west path, youll have no refills from Fort William to Shiel Bridge except for a little cafe at Glenfinnan open 9.30am to 5pm July and Aug and 10am to 5pm other months, where you can buy scones, cake, Snickers and overpriced sandwiches. Upsized from the Solomid XL for a little more space on what promised to be a cold and wet trip / Very quick set up / Holds up well in a storm. Train tickets from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Fort William vary between20 and30 for a one-way trip. I was going to walk LEJOG with my dog from May this year and was planning to incorporate the CWT as far as Oykel Bridge when I will be following the cicerone end to end guide. I wonder whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name this route has. Ta again. 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! The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer's mountain kit. The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the UK's toughest long distance walk. Jane Batchelor hiked the full Cape Wrath Trail in 2016 and half of it in 2017 on her 3,500-mile hike through Britain, camping as she went. Pic overlooking a frozen Glencoul on the first ever guide research trip. As it cannot be omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of must-have gear on the Cape Wrath Trail! Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Durness bus can provide onward transport. As with my other Katabatic quilts, the workmanship is top notch. Ill go into more detail in the next chapter. 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. Yep, one of those little numbers you get in hotel amenity/vanity bags (at least thats the type Ive used). Which Direction? One armed blind folks can sew better than me. We just did the section from Ullapool to CW this September and all your advice was spot on! Especially when out on a trip like the CWT it is very important you make sure your travel insurance covers off-road activities, as most agencies wont cover this in their basic plans. I put on my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and said my goodbyes. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. They were genuinely nice kids, and after chatting with them for a short period I said, You know what, guys, I think Ill continue hiking for a little while longer. They courteously insisted that wasnt necessary, but despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the decision was a no-brainer. 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. Compare and read about the various routes. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. For a detailed guide on shelters found along the Cape Wrath Trail, be sure to check out my CWT Bothy Guide! Fort William (South) Cape Wrath (North). Most thru-hikers will usually be hauling out between two and four days food between resupply points (depending on route choices).
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