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Showing posts from June, 2018

Equipment for the West Highland Way

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I thought I'd post the equipment that I will be taking on the forthcoming trip. Most of the equipment I have had for a number of years and have served me well. Also, in order to keep the cost down  I have borrowed some items from my wife. Some of the items may not be the lightest, but I'm not paying over the odds to save a few grams, although I am conscience of the weight I'll be carrying. Detailing my equipment will help me to refine this process in the future.  The items are shown below, I've left food out just now as I'll probably make a separate post about this. Gelert Rucksack Rucksack I'm taking my wife's Gelert X-plorer 65l bag which will be more than enough to see me through the hike. The bag weighs in at 1.6kg, a bit on the heavy side but it is comfortable.There is no frame back support, not that I'm used to that, but it'll be interesting to see how I feel about it after a week of use. Hilleberg Akto Tent Tent

Our Great Glen Route

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You would think that after taking 4 days to complete the West Highland Way, we would start the Great Glen Way with an easy walk. You would be wrong. We are planning to complete the Great Glen Way in 3 days, covering the 79 miles to Inverness. Below , is what we are planning to do. Day 5: Fort William to Fort Augustus, 34 miles Yes I know, that's crazy and yes, you are right. We still have an additional day planned as a backup in case  The day will be broken into 3 sections. Fort William to Gairlochy 13 miles Gairlochy to South Laggen 10 miles Laggen to Fort Augustus  11 miles We'll see if we make it to the campsite at Fort Augustus in the evening or if we'll need to stop before it. Day 6: Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit 25 miles Day 6 is dependent on the fact we can still walk after our previous day's hike. At this point the extra days rest would be good to help us recover. We have already booked a bunkhouse for our night in Drumnadrochit so a chance

Our West Highland Way Route

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I first walked the West Highland Way in 2004 and then again the year after. I took 5 days to complete the route the first time and took a more leisurely pace the next year, completing it in 7 days. This year we are attempting to finish the West Highland way in 4 days and taking a further 3 days to walk the 79 miles of the Great Glen Way. I say we as I am walking these two routes with my wife's stepfather. He has always wanted to walk both the West Highland and Great Glen Ways and he has set this summer as his target to complete them. He has also planned out our route, which I have noted below. Day 1: Milngavie to Rowardennan 27 miles Our first day should see a flat section of the route from Milngavie to Drymen before the climb over Conic Hill to Balmaha. The hill is only about 360m but it will test our fitness especially since we will be carrying full packs including camping and cooking equipment. Even at Balmaha we still have another 7 miles or so to Rowardennan. In

We're walking for charity

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It was always an idea from the start to raise money for charity during our walk and we have decided to support Cancer Research UK as cancer affects everyone in some way. If anyone would like to support us and the valuable work  that this charity does then please visit our Just Giving page, the link is below. Your support would mean a lot to both of us. Thanks. Just Giving

New Challenge

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Well it has been a while since I have updated this blog. To be honest, up until last year I hadn't been out walking any great distances. However, all that is to change.  I am about to embark on walking both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. This means that I will be walking from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow to Inverness. The total distance covered will be 174 miles. I know, it's not the longest walk, and pales into significance when it is put against other hikes. However, we are attempting to walk this distance in 7 days.  This gives us an average days walk of over 24 miles per day. The main idea has come from a family friend who has always wanted to walk these two routes. I have walked the West Highland Way twice before, albeit a few years ago now and so I act as the guide if you like. I'll post updates on gear we are taking and the mileage that we are covering per day. on with the training.