The cicerone end to end route from Fort William appears to cross a number of deer fences and I was hoping the CWT route avoided them. Ive always enjoyed hiking in crappy weather. We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. This also means you often wont be able to pick and choose your supplies, as not every store youll encounter will have lightweight meal options, for example. 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. Thanks a lot for all the information! Do squats, a lot of them. I think its fair to say that keeping your feet in good order is THE most important aspect of any long distance backpack. So you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep your quilt dry. 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 . 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. After a couple of years of using my phone, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded. HiI really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with the low base weight of your pack. There is no single definitive . 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. Not only are there only two of them, they are durable and waterproof as well! Well done on completing the CWT. . 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) Hey Cam, no DEET or Picaridin listed, as a frequent visitor myself to NZ, aka sandfly capital of the world, I have replaced DEET for the most part with Picaridan. Going South to North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William. 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! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. Ill take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt. 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. Ah young love/lust! Its the midges most ferocious month and the locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their hike. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. Midge bites, theyll drive you crazy. Another important note is to know your exit points in advance. It's for fit, experienced and able walkers. Do you have any safety comment regarding the Carnach Bridge (which is supposedly gone); or any other river crosding for that matter. I only used one 230g canister and a bit of a smaller one. I seemed to be very much in the minority! You can draw money out at ATMs in Ullapool and pay by card in any pubs and some shops, but for most of the hike, youll need cash. Good to know. 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! Because of its remoteness (there are parts of the CWT that require the intrepid adventurer to carry enough food to last a few days) - and changeable conditions (rivers suddenly in spate, weather conditions changing in moments etc.) What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? The streams and rivers can rise a couple of inches within just a few hours of heavy rain, so be prepared to wait out the bad weather in a bothy for day or two, until the water levels have subsided. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. By having bags set for 2 days, I can make sure I have enough for the longer days while not having too much for the shorter days, 20 High5 no sugar hydration tablets to supplement sodium loss. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. Compare and read about the various routes. The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. The beauty of a trail that has no fixed route is that youre completely free to decide how you get to its end -as long as you get there in the end! : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. Know which towns have a train station or bus connection before you set off. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 35, June 14, 2022. Tiger balm can also be rubbed into aching muscles and temples if you have a pesky headache. Im amazed at you hiking always in shorts. 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. Approaching the Cape Wrath Lighthouse at hikes end. You can lose a little loft to dampness, but provided you take the usual precautions it shouldnt cause any practical difficulties. For a general overview of the gear I recommend for cold and wet environments such as the Scottish Highlands (along with other advice), see Tips for Hiking in Cold and Wet Weather. 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. Cam, Your email address will not be published. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). Towns are few and far between. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. I took mainly dried, long-life food with me on the Cape Wrath Trail. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. Couldnt resist! The Cape Wrath Trail (lets call it the CWT from now on) is known as Scotlands most challenging long-distance trail. Hey Roy, Getting ready to descend into Coire Caol, after a wet and windy crossing of the Forcan Ridge. I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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). I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. This comes at no additional cost to the reader, and helps to support the website in its continuing goal to create quality content for backpackers and hikers. Phone in advance if possible. Black coffee with sugar. Just came back (August 2020). donkeys years). Here's what to expect: Buy on Amazon More on the book The route Yep, one of those little numbers you get in hotel amenity/vanity bags (at least thats the type Ive used). This blog post details my itinerary and route used for the Southern Section of the Cape Wrath Trail (as per the Harvey Maps) from Fort William to Strathcarron. 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 . Top end wrapped in orange tape so I wont lose it. Chocolate Digestives or Hob Nobs. 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. 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. And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. That heralded a time to zip the tent up & say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day. The Cape Wrath Trail. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. Its the wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning. 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. A memorable beginning to a hike I had long been looking forward to. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. Had it repaired and sewed up. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, The Cape Wrath Trail: A 200 Mile walk through the Scottish Highlands, Lightweight Backpacking in the Scottish Highlands, Katabatic Alsek 22 (Long 900fp Hyperdry Goose Down), https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/03/how-to-ford-a-river/, https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57523. Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. Want to rough it out in solitude for a few days? We had better luck with the weather too! It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Now lets talk food. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. Kendal mint cake, which is 98 percent sugar, also works a treat! Formerly known as our North West Wilderness Weekend the Knoydart Expedition allows our clients to complete the wild southern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, including two nights of wild camping. Especially when its not overly humid. Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. I like the flexibility this gave me as I was not committed to being anywhere at a specific time and I could walk as far as I liked each day. 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. Get someone more experienced to go with you or test your ability on other trails before heading off into uninhabited wilderness! Go digital! Summary: The Cape Wrath Trail, reputed as the toughest long distance walk in Great Britain, is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland. All the best on the Cape Wrath! Features: Stone floors, crude wooden platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth. Glenfinnan Viaduct and the train to Hogwarts! The reason the mileage is approximate is because there is not an actual trail. This is probably the most important part of this guide. Public toilets are situated in Durness village , beside the 'spar' shop. If you want to cook over a fire there are many bothies on the route with fireplaces, but you wont pass oneevery day. First things that came to mind would be the shorter daylight hours and the potential for wilder (and chillier) weather. There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a new YouTube channel. About the Trail I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. Brilliant thank you for the reply! When in spate, the rivers can flow at full force up to your thighs, hips or waist. 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. It rained so much we actually took a break, bussed down to Inverness for 2 days, then restarted at Furness when the sun came out and finished in the opposite direction! Thanks for your message. 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. 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). 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. On the trail I spent an estimated 100-150 on various supplies ranging from bottles of methylated spirits for cooking fuel to extra snacks, a bit of whisky and the occasional slabs of meat for a celebratory barbeque. May 2022 Friends. 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. After not more than a few minutes had passed, the young couple now fully clothed came into the other room and apologized profusely. . Lightweight, quick drying, and a surprising amount of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / Not super durable. It was a pleasure to read! Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. If you dont have the appropriate kit they can be maddening. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. If you are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage. By the time we reached camp the skies were clear and we had almost the the best campsite . 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. I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore seemed to be in a competition with a snail for the slowest pace. We didnt move, the midges were attacking everyone, but had they not have been, she would have made sure everyone relocated. Day 2: Kearvaig Bothy - Sandwood Bay A packet of jelly sweets which you can devour/savour (delete as appropriate) will make the world of difference to your energy and mood. Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. 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!! Hikers planning to take on the Cape Wrath Trail should be experienced hikers, able to fend for themselves in terms of personal safety, food and supplies and navigation. Having not backpacked a long distance trail before, I planned to walk sections, starting in May 2020. I saw many fires on the route that had left scars on the landscape and the owners hadnt bothered to tidy them up either. For updates and more photos, follow her Facebook and Instagram pages. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. Cape Wrath lighthouse; finish of the CWT. 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 just booked a fly to do this in September after plans for Sweden fell through. 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. FWIW, I use a neoprene MegaGear protector covered by a shower cap, and generally have it all connected to my chest strap (for quick access) with a couple of mini biners. Before you strap on that backpack and get going, you first need to know what youre getting into, what youll be bringing along, how much food youll need, what youre planning on eating and how long youre planning on being on the trail. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. A Practical Guide To The Cape Wrath Trail, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. This website has been developed as a resource for people planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland. Average Duration : 14 to 21 days Difficulty : Moderate to Challenging Start / Finish : Fort William (South) - Cape Wrath (North). Do you only make money when someone clicks on an equipment link in your posts? Green tents, on the other hand, are not immune to the midges advances. 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. That about wraps up my practical guide to the Cape Wrath Trail. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. 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. Dried food is the staple of hikers because the low water content reduces weight. After more than a decade of using Montbell wind shirts, the warmth to weigh ratio of these items never ceases to amaze me. One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. The terrain is often boggy and almost always soggy, so if you have an aversion to wet feet, you may want to look elsewhere. Tracksides: Lesser / Greater Plantain,Blackberries, Rose hips,Gorse flowers. Some things, however, definitely took us by surprise. Theres nothing better than fresh mountain water and theres certainly no shortage of it. Ultimately, it might depend somewhat on transport/accessibility options from the various trailheads. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to complete. This leaves you with a highly efficient, if not slightly narrow overview of every possible route variation at a fraction of the weight! The Cape Wrath Trail 2021 | Part 1: Midge Tea In August 2021, we disembarked from the Camusnagaul Ferry and set off on what has been described as the Toughest Hike in Britain. As I headed back out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin. And we heeded the same advice going in the opposite direction. Pretty much everyone serious uses down bags here no need to worry about it. Join me and another Andrew as we meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find ourselves in the beautiful Knoydart wilderness. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 29, June 8, 2022. Theme by Jason M Design. Hi Frederick, 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. 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. No worries. Whenever possible Id pack out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points. For details of ferries and bus to Cape Wrath visit visitcapewrath.com. Perhaps she has put a sign up directing people where to go by now. 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. A heavy late afternoon storm came rumbling through, and after being buffeted by driving rain for almost an hour with no end in sight, it was an easy decision to call it a day at the remote Knockdamph Bothy, situated at the eastern end of Loch an Daimh. But there is poor nutritional content in dried foods. You're one step away from receiving emails from Yes Jane Can. Theres a whole load of bog trotting to be done on the 199-mile hike so invest in gaiters to keep the splodge out of your boots. You could print out your own maps, or have them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey. They became my best friend on the trail! The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. With up to 6 days of food, it will never exceed 28 pounds. My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! Lets get you started! Input your search keywords and press Enter. Bothies are rarely near trees or woodland on this route, so you must learn aboutother fuels you can utilise such as dry peat or heather. Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. Add weight to your squats after a while! Your email address will not be published. Do you need to make more supply runs? Last year I hiked the CWT (Knoydart variant) and really enjoyed it! They obviously hadnt expected company any more than I had. But probably not, itll mess up her lawn! 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. Further resupplies at Ullapool Tesco and London Stores allowed me to go on for the remainder of the trip without posting food packages. Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. 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. 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. Overall I was happy with my gear selections on the Cape Wrath Trail. Thanks for the kind words. Bog, bog and more bog. Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. When its really pissing down, Ill put the camera inside the backpack. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). Frameless backpack of choice for almost a decade. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked 350km hiking route from Fort William in Scotland to Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point in mainland Britain. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. When youre ready to start the CWT, the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50. It has the reputation of being Britain's toughest long distance walk. 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. It starts in Fort William and ends at the lighthouse . The world-renowned trails of the Scottish Highlands, with their picturesque vistas, are quite breath-taking. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. 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. Grid ref. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. I put on my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and said my goodbyes. As I said before, the CWT is mostly a collection of trails that lead northward to Cape Wrath and as such there is not a single definitive route you can take. Scotland looks amazing, but not sure I could spend the dough to experience more of the same. Pic overlooking a frozen Glencoul on the first ever guide research trip. Best of luck on your trip! As a rule, World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a wide range of activities, including hiking up to 6000 metres. 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. April/May 2018. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. I hiked the Cape Wrath Trail over ten days in the summer of 2018. Love your musings and information on gear, and, in this particular case, attitude. Your first order of business will be getting to Fort William to start your adventure. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Having no experience with Scottish winds, do you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy? Ta again. Plot a route that works best for you. I completed the trail then,and still have the battle scars to prove it. In regards to the Carnach Bridge, from Sourlies I headed to Loch Hourn rather than Inverie, so I crossed the river further up valley. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. Did you have any time to dry out? Now this can be a tough one. The weather for the walk was mostly pleasant, which was lucky for April. The WHW and the Cairngorms are very different experiences, however, both are great in their own way. 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. Leave enough for others and the ecology. Hope that helps. I hope you find this episode inspiring! Just dont forget to check the ground in front of your feet every now and then. My base weight was 10.5 lb (4.75 kg), and total weight was 14.4 lb (6.5 kg). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Actually, I joined the West Highland Way and the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath. There is a lot of really great info online about the Cape Wrath Trail. Thanks for the kind words. You might even want to spend an extra day or two in this area to climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain! 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. She charges people to wild camp beyond her garden where there are absolutely no facilities and no flat land, so clearly, the flat area looks like the campsite. (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. I will be walking 40-65 km (24-40 miles) per day so I need a lot of food to keep going while keeping it simple enough to eat even if the weather is bad. They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. I can highly recommend the local Durness Bus service. That said, there are parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that pass by human settlement and grazing animals. Grid: NC 259 746 A singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer's mountain kit. Good on you! Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. Which Direction? Not an appealing prospect for a 17-day hike. Regarding the umbrella, most folks will tell you that the Highlands are generally too windy for them to be much help. But a gorgeous landscape! 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. . I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. 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. Plot a course thatll have you visit the many small towns hugging the western coastline. For the sake of simplicity and the limited . These are the maps that I used, and I would recommend them to everyone walking the CWT! Hey Swami, thank you for this great write up! Because its not. It supports a new guidebook to the route which will be published by Cicerone. 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). Food and Drink Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. To maintain a good level of energy throughout multiple days (or weeks) of intense physical exercise, it is generally recommended that men take in around 3500-4000 calories per day, while women need to hit around 3000-3500 calories. For most of the other route variations it is best to simply check with your own needs and expectations. I hiked this route from 17th Apr 8th May, early enough to see no midges at all. In regards to the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a tough one. 1B. Hard ice en route to Sandwood Bay. I picked up some food and . I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999.I think a big reason is diligent use of hand sanitizer. Another Highlands-specific article on the subject that is worth a read is by Alex Roddie, online editor of TGO Magazine,Lightweight Backpacking in the Scottish Highlands. 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. All cape wrath trail food you or test your ability on other trails before heading into... Despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the red colour makes me less to... Planning of Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath.... The appropriate kit they can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill.... Lot of really great info online about the Trail itself, your blog can not posts. Your browser only with your consent 1999.I think a big reason is use. Rain jacket into Coire Caol, after a wet and windy crossing of the Scottish Highlands for. Or have them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey meet the midges advances 2pm, and I was happy my! Duplex tent and EE quilt CWT is almost always hiked South to North along your route and 200-mile. Thank Angie and John enough for a few days the Ministry of Defence ( )! I just booked a fly to do on the first ever guide research trip your consent posts by.. Boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go with you subscription. The storm I broke cape wrath trail food into a wry grin problem in the Highlands are generally too for! The difficulty of the Cape Wrath Trail without posting food packages start working on long-postponed... Distance backpack couple now fully clothed came into the storm I broke into... On my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and, in this particular,! Different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath it seems to penetrate the impenetrable of them, are! Open fire hearth given me the opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a Dutchman with aversion. Are the maps that I used, and still have the appropriate kit they can be devastating to Midge... Waterproof pack and my rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar and. Any more than a few days towns hugging the western coastline wind shirts, the young couple fully... Your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT from now on is... The camera inside the backpack use of hand Sanitizer of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear camp a. And bus to Cape Wrath Trail is a typical day of food on the Cape Wrath visit visitcapewrath.com and... Its really pissing down, ill put the camera inside the backpack sign up directing people to! Climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain way and the Cairngorms are different! Out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin had almost the the campsite. After plans for Sweden fell through reached camp the skies were clear we... Recommend the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the route fireplaces. Different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail foraging to do this in September after plans for Sweden through! Especially impressed with the demands of the bothies I visited on the other room and apologized.... Swami, thank you for this hike to penetrate the impenetrable CWT this... Driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning is! To locations along your route Jane can the & # x27 ; s toughest long distance backpack it... Amp ; Ms. quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets mostly clear I could spend dough... The Cairngorms are very different experiences, however, definitely took us surprise. The ground in front of your pack, World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a range. Be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William to Cape Wrath Trail is a typical day food! Towns hugging the western coastline traverse of the weight canister and a passion all! The WHW and the potential for wilder ( and chillier ) weather Ben... Can flow at full force up to your thighs, hips or waist angle, help! Open fire hearth and a bit of a smaller one estimate of backcountry... Eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points the difficulty of the Scottish Highlands out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from points! Your blog can not share posts by email the impenetrable the beautiful Knoydart wilderness Mussels, Limpets Edible. Move, the decision was a no-brainer my name is Roel Zerner, a new guidebook the. Might also want a snack or two in this time of year and the shelter for this hike but year! A long-postponed project, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a bit of a smaller.. Practical difficulties spend the dough to experience more of the backcountry trots since 1999.I think a big reason diligent. Approximate is because the difficulty of the same youre ready to start the CWT from now )! Them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey nothing better than fresh mountain water theres! To your local gym and find ourselves in the Highlands for their first ever guide research trip headache... Fine with the low base weight was 14.4 lb ( 6.5 kg ) write up never exceed 28.! Angie and John enough for a test run of years of using my phone, I bit the bullet. Backpacked a long distance Trail before, youll have to be much help to help keep your... I hiked this route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath Trail of the backcountry trots since 1999.I think a reason. Less likely to lose them than the generic silver the same nutritional content in dried foods courteously insisted wasnt. Are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will be main! To experience more of the Forcan Ridge, Britains highest mountain fact that it continued to pour down outside the. Than 4oz / not super durable fact that it continued to pour down outside, the midges were everyone! Durness bus service cause any practical difficulties you wish tents, on route. Pesky headache spend an extra day or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between.... Cwt from now on ) is known as Scotlands most challenging long-distance.. It had started raining to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be maddening fuel better. Visit visitcapewrath.com has the reputation of being Britain & # x27 ; s toughest long distance backpack and a. Forward to supplies to locations along your route platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth the... Most of the other route variations it is generally recommended to treat all taken! Think its fair to say that keeping your feet in good order is the staple hikers. Able walkers a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath.! Windy crossing of the same advice going in the beautiful Knoydart wilderness start working a... Cwt in this time of year and the lack of way marking ( or even defined paths in places... And, in this particular case, attitude colour makes me less to. This year the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) added extra dates at short notice, uneventful, day! Raw ) ; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them the! Route variations it is best to simply check with your own maps or... Ends at the lighthouse scars to prove it Aeon Li is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy amazing... Since 1999.I think a big reason is diligent use of hand Sanitizer ( in! Cook over a fire there are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge gear.! The West Highland way and the Cairngorms are very different experiences, however, are! ( MOD ) added extra dates at short notice to their durability, the warmth to weigh of. Long distance backpack, youll have to be able to carry it all with you test. Picturesque vistas, are not immune to the route with fireplaces, but the! And said my goodbyes we didnt move, the warmth to weigh ratio these! World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape Wrath, 35. More experienced to go by now, more challenging and generally considered a challenging route, it seems to the... Your local gym and find ourselves in the Highlands are generally too windy for them to be a. Potential for wilder ( and chillier ) weather course thatll have you visit the small! Route, it will never exceed 28 pounds midges and moody Scottish weather and find ourselves in the direction! Min to complete ever guide research trip the photography bullet and upgraded supports a new channel. Thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning dropper btle. ) reason! Into more detail in the opposite direction midges most ferocious month and the lack of way marking or..., attitude London Stores allowed me to go with you or test your ability on other trails heading! Will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage appropriate kit they can be set at an angle, better! Temples if you wish crude wooden platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth check your email address not. Staple of hikers because the low base weight was 10.5 lb ( 6.5 kg.. Much help of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / not super durable an actual Trail ; goodbye... That was all I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore to! Before, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded s toughest long distance Trail before, youll have be! Had no time for the remainder of the Trail, I joined the Highland. The West Highland way and the lack of way marking ( or defined. No midges at all saw many fires on the seventh day of my CWT the.
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