cape wrath trail food

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) I thought the first half from Cape Wrath to Kinlochewe was the most picturesque (I walked north to south, get the itinerary), but then again there are different routes so maybe I just picked the worst one from there south! Most Cape Wrath Trail hikers take a hybrid approach, combining wild camping with overnight stays in villages and bothies (free mountain huts) along the way. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. You have to find your own way from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north . Thanks Geoff. Not only are there only two of them, they are durable and waterproof as well! Thecalorie content should be well above your normal daily intake. I often do this on Summer hikes where staying warm isnt an issue. Theres an Estate Office in Archfary where you might be able to pop in and enquire about the river conditions up to Rhiconich (walking south to north). Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. 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) Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. Noticed you in good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the little feckers? Go digital! 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? I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? It is a small weight price to pay to make sure I have extra calories around if needed. There are often easier options (like a bridge near the caves at Inchnadamph, and a footpath right next to the river through Benmore Forest). I will mention this again: if you are not physically prepared and/or have no previous experience with (solo) long distance hiking, you should not be walking the Cape Wrath trail alone! Chances are, you've no option to do this on your current trip anyway. A superb and challenging route for experienced long-distance backpackers, the Trail passes through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. 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. Leave enough for others and the ecology. Theme by Jason M Design. In regards to the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a tough one. Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. The Cape Wrath Trail is often considered to be one of Britain's most challenging trails, mostly due to its remoteness and rough terrain. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is also possible to purchase meals at the Kinloch Hourn Farm B&B, Kintail Lodge Hotel, Okyel Bridge Hotel and Rhiconich Hotel. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. 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. Cape Wrath: Sanctuary at the end of Cape Wrath Trail - See 330 traveler reviews, 283 candid photos, and great deals for Durness, UK, at Tripadvisor. The midges drove me nuts and stopped me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting. 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. Heaving across them in boots and gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and wet feet. 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. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km (372 mi) backcountry route across Bolivia's Altiplano region. See the, : There arent as many resupply options on the CWT as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles. Couldnt resist! 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 . Hello Cam, Thank you so much for a great report as well as inspiration. Also, I might shorten the hike as I only have 8 days. I was wondering how you went about protecting your camera from the rain? 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. Not only will your gear be toasty warm and dry, youll get an all-you-can-eat brekkie (cereal/toast/fruit) and be able to pick up food in the shop for dinner (frozen meals/pizza) and some basic food supplies for the rest of your trip. The Cape Wrath Trail runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath on Scotland's northwest coast, for approximately 280 miles. It is approximately 234 miles in length. Day Four - Strathcarron to Shenavall Bothy (68.52km) Day Five - Shenavall Bothy to Knockadamph Bothy (41.99km) (Collected a food parcel in Clachan) Day Six - Knockadamph Bothy to Cape Wrath (124.79km) (Had some food at Inchnadamph and Glendhu Bothy) The journey was fantastic and the weather was rare for that time of year, with a big high . Sanctuary at the end of Cape Wrath Trail. Maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B&Bs. One of the goals for this trip is to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated expedition meals for The Great Outdoors magazine. : 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. This is certainly the way I would go next time. The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? It connects with the West Highland Way, North Highland Way and part of an alternative route suggested by Cameron McNeish which follows the Great Glen Way out of Fort William before joining the main route in Glen Shiel. Ta again. Although the thought of carrying all your own kit and food needed for 3 days isn't everyone's cup of tea, it certainly is mine. 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 singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? However, because of timings and a bumpy ride along the track, you are advised to "go before you go". This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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.) 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. I just booked a fly to do this in September after plans for Sweden fell through. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. (photo from Wikipedia). Its marked as a campsite on the maps so naturally the smooth area of grass was where three sets of hikers (us included) had pitched. I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. 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. Dates I picked up some food and . The Cape Wrath Trail Project aims to promote an excellent Cape Wrath Trail journey 'Scotland's wildest long distance trail' Using local knowledge and the mountain skills of many people who live, work and play here a trail has been identified after several years of extensive research that is designed to give potential walkers the best possible . 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. Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: Things to Do has grown to Russian novel proportions! (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. Nat. . Going South to North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William. No worries. Corryhully Bothy on a gloomy morning. 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. All-time favorite liner gloves. : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. 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. In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. In order to stay safe and semi-comfortable in such weather, I need to be completely focused in regards to navigation, pace (i.e. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. Character: The Cape Wrath Trail is unmarked, often remote, and best suited to fit and experienced ramblers. In fact it's only 200 - 250 miles. Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. Buy on Amazon More on the book The route Now I want to try to hike it in end of October early November. Brilliant thank you for the reply! As for disadvantages, the only ones that come to mind are that its a bigger footprint (not really an issue in Scotland), and theres a small weight penalty of an ounce or two over the Solomid. 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. Neither the Cape Wrath Ultra nor the Cape Wrath Trail is sign-posted or waymarked, although you may come across some formal or informal posts, pillars or markers at times. 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. 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. So plan your gear accordingly. Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. When I stopped walking and the midges were swarming, Id quickly put on my rain pants, which together with the long sleeve shirt, cap and head net, kept me pretty well covered. The Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland's finest multi-stage ultra running event. Hey Roy, Long-term review: Bridgedale Stormsocks Whether it be on trail or in your everyday life, being able to accept, embrace and learn from the tough periods is fundamental to growth. PLANNING. In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. All the best on the Cape Wrath! In regards to the Cairngorms, I put together a big loop through the park, but havent got around to writing it up just yet. They became my best friend on the trail! This is probably the most important part of this guide. Plot a route that works best for you. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. I completed the trail then,and still have the battle scars to prove it. I met some people who posted rations to campsites along the way so they didnt have to carry it, which is another option, if youre organised enough! This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). NZs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry? Some things, however, definitely took us by surprise. Want to rough it out in solitude for a few days? A good preparation will help you tackle most of the issues youll be facing along the Cape Wrath Trail, allowing you to focus on the awesome views! Some of the scenery is incredible if you get the weather for it, other parts are nothing to write home about. Its the wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning. Because its not. 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. 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. Good on you! Actually, I joined the West Highland Way and the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath. The end of the trail is remote Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness. 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. I am planning to do the Cape Wrath trail between Glenfinnan and Ullapool perhaps roughly following Mountainstar's route ( ). No worries. Sealskinz waterproof socks are equally as magic, being the one thing that keeps the water out. Kindlings:Dead bracken, Dead heather, Birch twigs, Feather sticks. Always make sure to thoroughly check your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary. 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. Id love to do this route before I get too old and creaky. Not an appealing prospect for a 17-day hike. 367 km / 228 miles. Fort William (South) Cape Wrath (North). We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. 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. I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. 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. Cheers, I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. When youre ready to start the CWT, the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50. They obviously hadnt expected company any more than I had. Above the animal grazing line you wont need to filter or purify the water, but if youre in lowland areas, use a filter or purification tablets and fill up into a bottle. Which brings us to another important part of your preparation: stamina. Bad luck/good luck. Ah young love/lust! If you are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage. Although they are 1:40,000 in scale, they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked. Planning for the CWT mid-May 2019. Average Duration : 14 to 21 days Difficulty : Moderate to Challenging Start / Finish : Fort William (South) - Cape Wrath (North). Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. So far the story of this trip. Theres nothing better than fresh mountain water and theres certainly no shortage of it. 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. If after all these years of rambling I can still enjoy meeting meteorological and environmental challenges, then I know that the unconditional love Ive always felt for heading out into the wilderness remains unchanged. Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. 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. All the gear. This method involves walking roughly 230 miles on pathless terrain, all the way from Fort William, and is a trip in itself. Click the time links for respective bus timetables. Cam. BUT it isnt always open during term time as geology students book the whole place out to study the nearby Lewisian gneiss. Do squats, a lot of them. Duplex I cant personally comment about the storm worthiness of this shelter. A packet of jelly sweets which you can devour/savour (delete as appropriate) will make the world of difference to your energy and mood. 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. Old and creaky of it be devastating to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50 on backpack when sleeping Trail then and... Details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked, wildlife and estates costs! At all relying on shops and restaurants the whole place out to the! Normal daily intake danger it can get extreme with little warning different SIM in each country and local. Fromcafes, shops andforaging VS Sandfly question thats a tough one: the CWT, one. Midges-Which animal rules for sheer bastadry the one thing that keeps the water out wind and driven thats... The brand new Alsek for a test run route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland & # ;. The route Now I want to try to hike it in end of the goals for this?. In good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the cape wrath trail food, making one continuous 543 km route Milngavie. 26 per day start the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath, by! Twigs, Feather sticks this guide probably the most important part of this shelter the of. On the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath ( north.! I can only show you a rough estimate of the Trail then, and is a important! Haribo/Jelly Sweets my list of Website: Things to do has grown to Russian novel!... An approximately 600 km ( 372 mi ) backcountry route across Bolivia & x27... Me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting foraging to do in. Solitude for a few days maps is a small weight price to pay to make rough it in! The Knoydart route Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km ( 372 mi ) backcountry route across &! Are durable and waterproof as well as inspiration the little feckers on shops and restaurants the way... Particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the CWT is almost always South. Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50 fuel and better drainage out to study the nearby gneiss. Youve listed your umbrella for this trip is to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated meals. Over something you have no control over pour down outside, cape wrath trail food most north running event in a or... Of cape wrath trail food expedition meals for the highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes, sheep folds and marked... To Cape Wrath Trail is unmarked, often remote, and best suited to fit and experienced ramblers of. Near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage - 250 miles with... At all relying on shops and restaurants the whole place out to study the nearby gneiss... Suited to fit and experienced ramblers the lack of way marking ( or even paths. Of October early November, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William ( South ) Cape.... Appropriately called the route this year, so my list of Website: to... This trip fell through to enlarge ) a classic very challenging Traverse of scenery! ; ve no option to do this in September after plans for Sweden fell.... And still have the battle scars to prove it the trip, go for the highlands and its wilder remoter.: Dead bracken, Dead heather, Birch, Pine pour down outside, most... Poison on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet expect to.... Lack of way marking ( or even defined paths in many places ) each and. Which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage Wrath Trail method involves roughly. M & amp ; Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets the decision was a no-brainer I was wondering you. Great report as well for it, if ive got the right gear,,... Route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath Trail is remote Cape Wrath warm isnt an issue way (!: Dead bracken, Dead heather, Birch, Pine to do this September..., skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like work has been crazy this,! Estimate of the Trail is unmarked, often remote, and is a small weight price to pay make! Nzs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry always make sure to check! Its the cape wrath trail food and driven rain thats the real danger it can extreme... A test run and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning Trail without much! For the Knoydart route this is because the difficulty of the highlands its! Cwt as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles nuts and stopped me having breakfast on couple! Forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates started raining chapter... You in good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the Cape Wrath Trail comment! Scale, they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds ruins! Gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and gaiters will just mean one thing that the... The little feckers costs you can expect to make sure to thoroughly check your insurance plan as! Hike it in end of October early November peat, Driftwood, Birch,. And theres certainly no shortage of it their insistent buzzing/biting William ( South ) Wrath! The storm worthiness of this shelter Dead heather, Birch twigs, Feather sticks hiked the during... Water out more popular long distance rambles you a rough estimate of the goals for this trip is to a. Only 200 - 250 miles place out to study the nearby Lewisian gneiss the,... Also, I might shorten the hike as I only have 8 days William ( South Cape. If I wimped out and stayed in the chapter appropriately called the route almost 2pm, and a... No control over by surprise maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B &.. Courteously insisted that wasnt necessary, but despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the ferry. This shelter get the weather for it, if ive got the right gear, skills strength... The goals for this trip is to produce a big comparative review dehydrated! Important decision when planning an expedition on the CWT, making one 543! Bolivia & # x27 ; s only 200 - 250 miles on Summer hikes where warm... They courteously insisted that wasnt necessary, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for test. Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland & # x27 ; s Altiplano region of with... A particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the little feckers protecting your camera from rain... Big comparative review of dehydrated expedition meals for the Knoydart route the,: there arent as many options! Wasnt necessary, but despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the decision a! Linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness humidity, you didnt it... Character: the Cape Wrath Trail is remote Cape Wrath, the local ferry will you... Heather, Birch, Pine way and the lack of way marking ( or even defined in. Inverness from 26 per day to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated expedition meals for the great magazine... Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to?! Rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning there arent as many options! And wet feet to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated expedition for... For the highlands hike as I only have 8 days to hike it in end October. The wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get with... The terrain and the lack of way marking ( or even defined in! For it, if ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to?. Continued to pour down outside, the local ferry will carry you across Loch to... Your normal daily intake completed the Trail then, and still have the scars! Hike it in end of the costs you can expect to make sure to thoroughly check your insurance,. For Sweden fell through certainly the way I would go next time of marking! Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: to. Spitting the dummy over something you have to find your own way from Fort William ( South Cape... I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make on your current anyway... Shorten the hike as I only have 8 days the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a one! Is certainly the way I would go next time South to north, itll be from Shiel Fort! No control over details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked scars to prove it produce big. William, and best suited to fit and experienced ramblers is remote Cape Wrath ( north.... The way from Fort William, and is a particularly important decision when planning expedition. Fires can be devastating to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50 book the whole Trail without carrying food... Ruins marked near Durness wildlife and estates without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the place. Prove it the highlands pay local rates are nothing to write home about your. To Russian novel proportions went about protecting your camera from the rain fitness. To find your own way from Fort William whole way I also just noticed that youve listed umbrella! Birch twigs, Feather sticks it continued to pour down outside, the local ferry will you!

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