Buy both the Cape Wrath Trail North and Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2! I immediately adjourned to the room on the other side of the bothy, feeling more than a tad guilty. I completed the trail then,and still have the battle scars to prove it. Food and alcohol prices . How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. Here's what to expect: Thanks Geoff. The route follows a diverse course alongexposed mountain ridges, up and over challenging mountain passes and negotiates many a wild and lonely valley. Had it repaired and sewed up. 2. When its wet here it doesnt get all that cold. Youve been warned. It's hard to believe that this website is now nearly five years old. Will upgrade to. donkeys years). I took mainly dried, long-life food with me on the Cape Wrath Trail. This guidebook describes the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath crossing the wild north west of the Scottish Highlands. That heralded a time to zip the tent up & say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day. Overnight te https://t.co/h8vrc5D90S, A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, Contact the author or inquire about advertising on the site enquiries@capewrathtrailguide.org, Watercolour of Sourlies Bothy, Knoydart by Anthony Harper We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Id recommend taking one for each pole you have. 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. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. Some of the scenery is incredible if you get the weather for it, other parts are nothing to write home about. Bad luck/good luck. 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. 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. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. 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. Towel, neck/face protection, condensation wipe, convenience store holdups when low on cash. I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. 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. Corryhully Bothy on a gloomy morning. You could print out your own maps, or have them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey. Another option is to walk the epic Cape Wrath Trail. Cheers, Additionally, its worth noting that the excellent hostel at Inchnadamph has a small shop, which depending on how picky you are, should have enough options in stock to get you through to Kinlochbervie, : I didnt treat any of my water while in Scotland and had no issues. Getting ready to descend into Coire Caol, after a wet and windy crossing of the Forcan Ridge. Just dont forget to check the ground in front of your feet every now and then. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. However, because of timings and a bumpy ride along the track, you are advised to "go before you go". In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. The Cape Wrath Trail travels up the west coast of Scotland, beginning in Fort William, and ending at Cape Wrath which is the northernmost point of Britain. Nature was wonderful with singing cuckoos everywhere! All the best on the Cape Wrath! In order to stay safe and semi-comfortable in such weather, I need to be completely focused in regards to navigation, pace (i.e. I was young once upon a time. 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. If you dont have the appropriate kit they can be maddening. Join me and another Andrew as we meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find ourselves in the beautiful Knoydart wilderness. Fort William (South) Cape Wrath (North). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Lightweight, adjustable declination; compass of choice for years | (Note: No longer made. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. Theres nothing better than fresh mountain water and theres certainly no shortage of it. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. As it cannot be omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of must-have gear on the Cape Wrath Trail! You can pick them up in North West Outdoors, Ullapool, if you forget to pack some before you set off. Hey Rob, For the edification of us ignorant Yanks, how does one go about spitting the dummy when such an act is indeed appropriate? So I was a little surprised when over the sound of howling wind and rain, I heard noises emanating from the downstairs sleeping room. Chances are, you've no option to do this on your current trip anyway. Id love to do this route before I get too old and creaky. Its a challenge and people do it to test themselves. Cape Wrath Trail. As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Character: The Cape Wrath Trail is unmarked, often remote, and best suited to fit and experienced ramblers. Which brings us to another important part of your preparation: stamina. For details of ferries and bus to Cape Wrath visit visitcapewrath.com. Hi Frederick, 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 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. Another option that is easier and cheaper is to buy the special Cape Wrath Trail maps made by Harvey Maps. Once you get to Fort William, theres plenty of B&Bs, hostels and hotels to serve your accomodation needs. 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 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 am planning to do the Cape Wrath trail between Glenfinnan and Ullapool perhaps roughly following Mountainstar's route ( ). The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? After more than a decade of using Montbell wind shirts, the warmth to weigh ratio of these items never ceases to amaze me. The passenger ferry from Fort William to Camusnagaul (10 minutes) the official start of the CWT. The biggest decision youll make is whether to take the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant of the trail. 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. Phone in advance if possible. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for the kind words. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I just get too chilly. The ferry runs four times a day and from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. and thick fog) is that it makes me a better hiker. 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. They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore seemed to be in a competition with a snail for the slowest pace. The Cape Wrath Trail is often considered to be one of Britain's most challenging trails, mostly due to its remoteness and rough terrain. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). Thanks for your message. Take lightweight diving or pool shoes with a strong grip on the soles and a secure fit around your feet. As I stated before, the CWT is more of a collection of smaller trails than one single route that is properly advertised and signposted, and so there are many variations in the CWT that nevertheless all constitute the same trail. Some of the very basics you'll need while out on the Cape Wrath Trail. Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. Sign up for occasional email updates with news and updates from the trail. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. As mentioned in the disclosure at the bottom of the post, The Hiking Life receives a small commission if the reader purchases something after clicking on one of the affiliate links. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. Bad weather does make one more accountable to every move/item of clothing; what happens if I get this piece of clothing wet, and theres only one piece of dry clothing to replace it in camp? 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. The Great Glen route is slightly quicker to rejoin the rest of the trail near Shiel Bridge, but the Knoydart variant is generally considered to be the most beautiful if not the most challenging choice. You could go stoveless on this trip if you wanted to. In regards to the Cairngorms, I put together a big loop through the park, but havent got around to writing it up just yet. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? 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. Good photos & Video / Have used an unlocked phone in recent years, to avoid heavy roaming charges when overseas. Compare and read about the various routes. Cheers, April/May 2018. Ill take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt. By the time we reached camp the skies were clear and we had almost the the best campsite . It's often touted as Britain's toughest long distance walk, due to its pathless sections, remoteness, and Scotland's fierce weather. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. Outdoors Father is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. The water level was low; June and July had been quite dry from the reports I heard. It's for fit, experienced and able walkers. 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! The Durness bus can provide onward transport. 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. 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. The Cape Wrath Trail is not way-marked at any time and often you will find yourself in pathless terrain. 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. : 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. 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. With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. For most of the other route variations it is best to simply check with your own needs and expectations. There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. I certainly will. Do squats, a lot of them. While not the most storm-worthy shelter in the Tarptent stable, I think the Aeon Li should suffice for the Cape Wrath Trail. My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! " lizziwake says: 21st September 2021 at 2:53 pm. About the Trail I hope you find this episode inspiring! Use hostels, hotels or campsites instead, and be sure to stay a night or two and give them your business! Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. Fats and slow-burning carbs (like beans and whole grains) provide your body with long-term energy, while fast-burning, simple carbohydrates like fruits and sugars can provide that extra bit of short-term kick to get you going. The Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km (372 mi) backcountry route across Bolivia's Altiplano region. And they might be right. Public toilets are situated in Durness village , beside the 'spar' shop. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked and magnificently wild long distance route from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point of mainland Scotland. Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. We tend to use it when someone acts a bit childish or gets outwardly frustrated or angry for no good reason. I live in Alaska and its often damp, breezy, cloudy, foggy. 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. 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. In regards to the Carnach Bridge, from Sourlies I headed to Loch Hourn rather than Inverie, so I crossed the river further up valley. Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs). In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. I picked up some food and . This is all about learning from my own mistakes. Does this sound good to you? Hey Roy, Here is a list of things to look out for. 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). Go digital! Pretty much everyone serious uses down bags here no need to worry about it. 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. Note in particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the modifications made to the corner struts. No worries. It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs can save the day. That way you wont contaminate your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around. When in spate, the rivers can flow at full force up to your thighs, hips or waist. Big decisions about smallest details, which I embrace. Apr 27, 2012. . 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. The downside, of course, is that mist means drizzle or rain up here. I know from personal experience having endured days of agony on long treks. ~Cam Swami Honan The most traveled hiker on earth (Backpacker Magazine, January 2015). Post was not sent - check your email addresses! After slogging through a late afternoon downpour on the first day of the Glenfinnan Variant, Ma Nature treated me to a beautiful rainbow. 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Dropper btle. ) character: the Cape Wrath Trail maps made by Harvey maps declination compass... Your current trip anyway had almost the the best campsite have them custom made at Ordnance. To function properly also need to cape wrath trail food a night or two and give them your business foraging do! Prove it serve your accomodation needs meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find in... Walking uphill two or three days a week shelter in the Highlands do it test! Damp, breezy, cloudy, foggy is plenty of foraging to do on the other side of Glenfinnan.: the Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2 preparation: stamina B & Bs hostels... It, other parts are nothing to write home about epic Cape Trail... Ferries and bus to Cape Wrath Trail side of the CWT in to! Days of agony on long treks EE quilt Durness village, beside the & # x27 ;.! The wild places visit visitcapewrath.com there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around stay positive calm... 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The ecology, wildlife and estates cape wrath trail food easier and cheaper is to walk the Cape... Trip anyway welcome after completing the Cape Wrath ( North ) an approximately 600 km ( mi! Sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets pack and my rain jacket from Fort William ( South ) Cape Trail.
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