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! You just cant get that if all your hiking is done on cruisy, manicured trails in fine weather with temps in the 70s (low 20s C). 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 is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). For the sake of simplicity and the limited . A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. There are many different ways to train yourself for an undertaking like the CWT, so Ill leave it to you to find a way to train that suits your preference. 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. One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. Cheers, If for whatever reason you decide you cant go on anymore, at least youll know where to go to get back to civilisation! One armed blind folks can sew better than me. 1B. . Hop over to Ullapool (I went from Inverness bus station) and get an afternoon bus at about 16.00-17.00-ish from Ullapool to Durness or go direct from Inverness to Durness at 10.00 or 17.00 (route 805 for the latter time). As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Apr 27, 2012. When its wet here it doesnt get all that cold. Ill go into more detail in the next chapter. We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. The Essential Guide to Ultralight Bivy Sacks, The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust off the Beaten Path. I think its fair to say that keeping your feet in good order is THE most important aspect of any long distance backpack. 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. Did you use it much on the CWT?? A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. 6 thoughts on " Cape Wrath Trail 6 day hike Part 1 - COMPLETED! The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? 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. Thanks for the kind words. We then had a wonderful camp near by and had a tasty breakfast the next morning. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts, Birch sap, Rowan berries (do not eat raw). Noticed you in good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the little feckers? donkeys years). Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs). The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. Karen Ive used down bags and quilts in the Scottish Highlands for half a century. Pack for worst-case scenario conditions. Day 1 - rain and sunsets. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 29, June 8, 2022. Phone in advance if possible. Cheers. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. I'm bringing a tent with a floor . I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. Exped Thunder 70 A big pack that still manages to keep the weight down. Hey Swami, thank you for this great write up! Especially when its not overly humid. And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. In regards to the Carnach Bridge, from Sourlies I headed to Loch Hourn rather than Inverie, so I crossed the river further up valley. 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. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. This book definitely does justice to the tough character of the trail. Firstly because it is more of an unofficial collection of smaller trails rather than a marked and advertised trail like the West Highland Way, for example. This is all about learning from my own mistakes. 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. We didnt move, the midges were attacking everyone, but had they not have been, she would have made sure everyone relocated. Find out more Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to complete. Hope that helps. 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. Grid: NC 259 746 I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? Maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B&Bs. Obviously the former is a lot more of a sociable hike. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. 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. Youve been warned. Not as good as new, but still functional / From what Ive seen, the latest models have a different design, and arent in the same league as the old ones. The CWT is more of a route than a trail because it's not blazed or way-marked and because you can connect the endpoints using any sequence of trails, 44 tracks, paths, roads, or off-trail segments to connect the two endpoints. BUT it isnt always open during term time as geology students book the whole place out to study the nearby Lewisian gneiss. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. One loch crossing on the high route to Benmore Lodge had four strapping lads linking arms and wading throughwater up to their waists. So you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep your quilt dry. From south to north there are stores at Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe and Kinlochbervie. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). Here is a list of things to look out for. In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. Hey Roy, For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. As long as you draw water from fresh, fast-flowing sources well upstream of areas with livestock and/or wildlife you can drink it without filtering! Your first order of business will be getting to Fort William to start your adventure. Its the midges most ferocious month and the locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their hike. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. x. Trekking Solo In the Highlands . Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. Long-term review: Bridgedale Stormsocks My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! Bog, bog and more bog. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Purchased hot meals at Kinloch Hourn, Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe, Okyel Bridge, Inchnadamph and Kinlochbervie; 3. In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. Thecalorie content should be well above your normal daily intake. My concern is getting a 40kg German Shepherd over them. That said, there are parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that pass by human settlement and grazing animals. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. 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) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), creating an efficient backpacking food menu, My final itinerary is based on 9 days on the trail, 40g jumbo oats (not rolled) pack more of a bite to them after cooking, 40g granola mix I chose for half my meals to have a berry-based mix and half to have a chocolate based one, 3 tsp of milk powder thickens the mix and gives extra sugars and protein to start the day, Just add half a cup of boiling water and eat after 5 minutes of sitting (use a, It saves some packaging as Im not packing for each day, The days are not equal in length and Ill be walking a combination of long day-short day-long day-short day etc. Heaving across them in boots and gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and wet feet. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. It has the reputation of being Britain's toughest long distance walk. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. Ok, the lack of views are a bummer, but if you spend enough time in the boonies over enough years, things have a way of evening themselves out on the scenery front. The Te Araroa begins with a lighthouse at Cape Reinga but ends at a less impressive signpost at Bluff. 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. Odds are, youll be soaked through by the time you get there anyway.. Hey Cam, We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. Its a challenge and people do it to test themselves. But probably not, itll mess up her lawn! I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. 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. Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: Things to Do has grown to Russian novel proportions! Required fields are marked *. Starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath, the 400km, 8-day journey winds through the world's most inspirational landscapes including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt, and Sutherland. 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. I find it appealing because I love the idea of being out alone on the trails in such a wild part of the country. I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. A chapter about costs cannot be omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course. Note in particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the modifications made to the corner struts. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Cape Wrath Trail. Stretching approximately 230 miles (370 km) from the Highland hub of Fort William to the remote lighthouse of Cape Wrath, it is an unmarked and sometimes trailless route that passes through the wild and spectacular landscapes of northwestern Scotland. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. 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. Spitting the dummy- or chucken a tanty! Mother Nature had other ideas. You'll need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In order to stay safe and semi-comfortable in such weather, I need to be completely focused in regards to navigation, pace (i.e. Frameless backpack of choice for almost a decade. There is no single definitive . Ta again. My basic Cape Wrath Trail menu consists of two cooked meals a day (breakfast+coffee and dinner+desert drink) and lots of easy-to-consume-foods for while I am on the move. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. Buy a green midge head net, not one for mosquitoes as the holes are too big, and youll attract less of the Scottish blighters than your black-netted hiking counterparts. May 2022 Friends. Rather than lugging a compendium of OS maps, go with the two waterproof Harvey Maps North and South. The book A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. Many thanks this is an excellent report. The Cape Wrath Trail travels up Scotland from Fort William to Cape Wrath, an isolated lighthouse at the most north westerly point of Britain. Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. Train tickets from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Fort William vary between20 and30 for a one-way trip. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. Take lightweight diving or pool shoes with a strong grip on the soles and a secure fit around your feet. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Last year I hiked the CWT (Knoydart variant) and really enjoyed it! As it was Winter, there were not a lot of resupply points so posting food parcels to strategic locations along the route was necessary. This has little to do with its duration or elevation levels. There are days when its deadly dull, days when your body protests, days when the rain will turn you into an amphibian. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. With all that and a comfortable bed for the night, it was the perfect pit stop for us. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. 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. The way to Cape Wrath is not an official national trail at all, more a loose collection of old stalkers' tracks, drovers, and coffin roads. In both versions the trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. For participants that have a diagnosed food allergy that is evidenced by a letter from their doctor, we are able to provide an additional baggage allowance (10kg) so . April/May 2018. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? 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 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! and thick fog) is that it makes me a better hiker. They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. The post below includes impressions from the trip, logistical and background information, route recommendations and a gear list. The path is not waymarked and has many variations. If you are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage. That way you wont contaminate your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around. Overall I was happy with my gear selections on the Cape Wrath Trail. 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). The Durness bus can provide onward transport. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. The midges drove me nuts and stopped me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting. I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore seemed to be in a competition with a snail for the slowest pace. Plot a course thatll have you visit the many small towns hugging the western coastline. Ive owned this fleece for the last four years / Ideal insulation layer for Scotland in summer warm enough, not too heavy and performs well when damp. 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. Best of luck on your trip! Cape Wrath Trail 1st March 2017 Cape Wrath Trail 18: To The Lighthouse. Upon entering the spacious multi-room hut, I wasnt expecting to find anyone. Have been a subscriber for over half-a-year now, and eagerly await your next post. Go digital! Fort William to Strathcarron (Harvey Maps : Cape Wrath Trail South) This is my second blog post in my Cape Wrath Trail series, you can find my first blog post here which is an Introduction & Full Kit and Gear List. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. Im definitely no expert when it comes to anything camera-related. Grid ref. HiI really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with the low base weight of your pack. Nat. Just a wee note about the post about the Carnoch bridge (at the head of Loch Nevis, crossing into knoydart proper).. theres a shiny new one!! 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). On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. Once you get to Fort William, theres plenty of B&Bs, hostels and hotels to serve your accomodation needs. Great baselayer / Not too thin, not too thick / Spot on for shoulder season conditions. This method involves walking roughly 230 miles on pathless terrain, all the way from Fort William, and is a trip in itself. 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. I cant do that even in the 70sF! Everyone I met for the first four days had bailed somewhere along the route by hitching or cutting their trip short. I redid part of Cape Wrath in 2017 wearing these and had happy, dry feet. See the, : There arent as many resupply options on the CWT as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles. Thanks Geoff. I cannot recommend sending parcels poste restante (to hold) to post offices, as Britains Royal Mail officially only allows for envelopes to be held, not packages. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. : NM 912 844 About: Often the first bothy hikers will encounter on the Cape Wrath Trail, Corryhully is a well-known bothy not maintained by the MBA but by the local estate. . .
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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! You just cant get that if all your hiking is done on cruisy, manicured trails in fine weather with temps in the 70s (low 20s C). 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 is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). For the sake of simplicity and the limited . A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. There are many different ways to train yourself for an undertaking like the CWT, so Ill leave it to you to find a way to train that suits your preference. 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. One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. Cheers, If for whatever reason you decide you cant go on anymore, at least youll know where to go to get back to civilisation! One armed blind folks can sew better than me. 1B. . Hop over to Ullapool (I went from Inverness bus station) and get an afternoon bus at about 16.00-17.00-ish from Ullapool to Durness or go direct from Inverness to Durness at 10.00 or 17.00 (route 805 for the latter time). As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Apr 27, 2012. When its wet here it doesnt get all that cold. Ill go into more detail in the next chapter. We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. The Essential Guide to Ultralight Bivy Sacks, The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust off the Beaten Path. I think its fair to say that keeping your feet in good order is THE most important aspect of any long distance backpack. 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. Did you use it much on the CWT?? A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. 6 thoughts on " Cape Wrath Trail 6 day hike Part 1 - COMPLETED! The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? 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. Thanks for the kind words. We then had a wonderful camp near by and had a tasty breakfast the next morning. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts, Birch sap, Rowan berries (do not eat raw). Noticed you in good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the little feckers? donkeys years). Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs). The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. Karen Ive used down bags and quilts in the Scottish Highlands for half a century. Pack for worst-case scenario conditions. Day 1 - rain and sunsets. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 29, June 8, 2022. Phone in advance if possible. Cheers. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. I'm bringing a tent with a floor . I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. Exped Thunder 70 A big pack that still manages to keep the weight down. Hey Swami, thank you for this great write up! Especially when its not overly humid. And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. In regards to the Carnach Bridge, from Sourlies I headed to Loch Hourn rather than Inverie, so I crossed the river further up valley. 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. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. This book definitely does justice to the tough character of the trail. Firstly because it is more of an unofficial collection of smaller trails rather than a marked and advertised trail like the West Highland Way, for example. This is all about learning from my own mistakes. 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. We didnt move, the midges were attacking everyone, but had they not have been, she would have made sure everyone relocated. Find out more Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to complete. Hope that helps. 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. Grid: NC 259 746 I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? Maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B&Bs. Obviously the former is a lot more of a sociable hike. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. 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. Youve been warned. Not as good as new, but still functional / From what Ive seen, the latest models have a different design, and arent in the same league as the old ones. The CWT is more of a route than a trail because it's not blazed or way-marked and because you can connect the endpoints using any sequence of trails, 44 tracks, paths, roads, or off-trail segments to connect the two endpoints. BUT it isnt always open during term time as geology students book the whole place out to study the nearby Lewisian gneiss. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. One loch crossing on the high route to Benmore Lodge had four strapping lads linking arms and wading throughwater up to their waists. So you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep your quilt dry. From south to north there are stores at Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe and Kinlochbervie. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). Here is a list of things to look out for. In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. Hey Roy, For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. As long as you draw water from fresh, fast-flowing sources well upstream of areas with livestock and/or wildlife you can drink it without filtering! Your first order of business will be getting to Fort William to start your adventure. Its the midges most ferocious month and the locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their hike. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. x. Trekking Solo In the Highlands . Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. Long-term review: Bridgedale Stormsocks My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! Bog, bog and more bog. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Purchased hot meals at Kinloch Hourn, Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe, Okyel Bridge, Inchnadamph and Kinlochbervie; 3. In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. Thecalorie content should be well above your normal daily intake. My concern is getting a 40kg German Shepherd over them. That said, there are parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that pass by human settlement and grazing animals. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. 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) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), creating an efficient backpacking food menu, My final itinerary is based on 9 days on the trail, 40g jumbo oats (not rolled) pack more of a bite to them after cooking, 40g granola mix I chose for half my meals to have a berry-based mix and half to have a chocolate based one, 3 tsp of milk powder thickens the mix and gives extra sugars and protein to start the day, Just add half a cup of boiling water and eat after 5 minutes of sitting (use a, It saves some packaging as Im not packing for each day, The days are not equal in length and Ill be walking a combination of long day-short day-long day-short day etc. Heaving across them in boots and gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and wet feet. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. It has the reputation of being Britain's toughest long distance walk. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. Ok, the lack of views are a bummer, but if you spend enough time in the boonies over enough years, things have a way of evening themselves out on the scenery front. The Te Araroa begins with a lighthouse at Cape Reinga but ends at a less impressive signpost at Bluff. 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. Odds are, youll be soaked through by the time you get there anyway.. Hey Cam, We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. Its a challenge and people do it to test themselves. But probably not, itll mess up her lawn! I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. 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. Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: Things to Do has grown to Russian novel proportions! Required fields are marked *. Starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath, the 400km, 8-day journey winds through the world's most inspirational landscapes including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt, and Sutherland. 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. I find it appealing because I love the idea of being out alone on the trails in such a wild part of the country. I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. A chapter about costs cannot be omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course. Note in particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the modifications made to the corner struts. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Cape Wrath Trail. Stretching approximately 230 miles (370 km) from the Highland hub of Fort William to the remote lighthouse of Cape Wrath, it is an unmarked and sometimes trailless route that passes through the wild and spectacular landscapes of northwestern Scotland. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. 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. Spitting the dummy- or chucken a tanty! Mother Nature had other ideas. You'll need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In order to stay safe and semi-comfortable in such weather, I need to be completely focused in regards to navigation, pace (i.e. Frameless backpack of choice for almost a decade. There is no single definitive . Ta again. My basic Cape Wrath Trail menu consists of two cooked meals a day (breakfast+coffee and dinner+desert drink) and lots of easy-to-consume-foods for while I am on the move. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. Buy a green midge head net, not one for mosquitoes as the holes are too big, and youll attract less of the Scottish blighters than your black-netted hiking counterparts. May 2022 Friends. Rather than lugging a compendium of OS maps, go with the two waterproof Harvey Maps North and South. The book A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. Many thanks this is an excellent report. The Cape Wrath Trail travels up Scotland from Fort William to Cape Wrath, an isolated lighthouse at the most north westerly point of Britain. Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. Train tickets from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Fort William vary between20 and30 for a one-way trip. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. Take lightweight diving or pool shoes with a strong grip on the soles and a secure fit around your feet. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Last year I hiked the CWT (Knoydart variant) and really enjoyed it! As it was Winter, there were not a lot of resupply points so posting food parcels to strategic locations along the route was necessary. This has little to do with its duration or elevation levels. There are days when its deadly dull, days when your body protests, days when the rain will turn you into an amphibian. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. With all that and a comfortable bed for the night, it was the perfect pit stop for us. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. 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. The way to Cape Wrath is not an official national trail at all, more a loose collection of old stalkers' tracks, drovers, and coffin roads. In both versions the trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. For participants that have a diagnosed food allergy that is evidenced by a letter from their doctor, we are able to provide an additional baggage allowance (10kg) so . April/May 2018. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? 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 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! and thick fog) is that it makes me a better hiker. They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. The post below includes impressions from the trip, logistical and background information, route recommendations and a gear list. The path is not waymarked and has many variations. If you are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage. That way you wont contaminate your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around. Overall I was happy with my gear selections on the Cape Wrath Trail. 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). The Durness bus can provide onward transport. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. The midges drove me nuts and stopped me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting. I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore seemed to be in a competition with a snail for the slowest pace. Plot a course thatll have you visit the many small towns hugging the western coastline. Ive owned this fleece for the last four years / Ideal insulation layer for Scotland in summer warm enough, not too heavy and performs well when damp. 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. Best of luck on your trip! Cape Wrath Trail 1st March 2017 Cape Wrath Trail 18: To The Lighthouse. Upon entering the spacious multi-room hut, I wasnt expecting to find anyone. Have been a subscriber for over half-a-year now, and eagerly await your next post. Go digital! Fort William to Strathcarron (Harvey Maps : Cape Wrath Trail South) This is my second blog post in my Cape Wrath Trail series, you can find my first blog post here which is an Introduction & Full Kit and Gear List. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. Im definitely no expert when it comes to anything camera-related. Grid ref. HiI really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with the low base weight of your pack. Nat. Just a wee note about the post about the Carnoch bridge (at the head of Loch Nevis, crossing into knoydart proper).. theres a shiny new one!! 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). On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. Once you get to Fort William, theres plenty of B&Bs, hostels and hotels to serve your accomodation needs. Great baselayer / Not too thin, not too thick / Spot on for shoulder season conditions. This method involves walking roughly 230 miles on pathless terrain, all the way from Fort William, and is a trip in itself. 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. I cant do that even in the 70sF! Everyone I met for the first four days had bailed somewhere along the route by hitching or cutting their trip short. I redid part of Cape Wrath in 2017 wearing these and had happy, dry feet. See the, : There arent as many resupply options on the CWT as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles. Thanks Geoff. I cannot recommend sending parcels poste restante (to hold) to post offices, as Britains Royal Mail officially only allows for envelopes to be held, not packages. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. : NM 912 844 About: Often the first bothy hikers will encounter on the Cape Wrath Trail, Corryhully is a well-known bothy not maintained by the MBA but by the local estate. . .
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