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Subject Topic: West Highland way in April
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PersonEwen c
via mobile 06/12/2019 at 11:29pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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So, booked flights. Got my hotel for Milngavie and Fort William and have organised camping for the days between. Just got to buy food and off I go.

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Hypercamp Alaska
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Coleman Cobra Pro 3
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Naturehike Star River 2
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Personspiritburner
06/12/2019 at 11:46pm
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April - good plan to beat the midges!   Good luck with the trip.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 06/12/2019 at 11:57pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Was going to go end of April but forgot about the 6 day trials. Meeting the old man in Fort William. We first tried the WHW in 1980 but got beaten by a storm. He is too old to do it now. My sister will join me between Inverarnan and Bridge of Orchy. She doesn't do camping though.
April is a good month. Quite dry, no midges and not too cold.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


VangoMan02
07/12/2019 at 10:03am
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April definitely a good month to do the WHW. I did it in July about 30 years ago and it was like Sauchiehall Street on a Saturday.
I did it with a mate and have to say it was the most enjoyable "long distance walk" we had backpacked.

My wife and I have also done single sections on day walks over the years and still as enjoyable.
I am very jealous but not up to it nowadays.
I take it you are doing it solo Ewen apart from when you meet your sister for a section and no doubt a celebration pint or three with your old man at the end

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 10:39am
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Solo it is. The wife has been diagnosed with disk problems from an old spinal injury so won't be going. I'm also taking longer than younger people would. I want to enjoy the walk
The gear is going to be stripped down. I won't take the nikon, only the phone. I invested in lighter boots as well, a pair of salomon and will be making good use of hostelries on the way. I reckon there will only be two nights when I am not next to a pub, even wild camping.

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Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


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VangoMan02
07/12/2019 at 5:00pm
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Sorry to hear about your wifes disk problems. Not good for someone who enjoys walking.
Good idea to strip done the kit. When I did it there was not really much in the way of lightweight kit and what was available was to expensive.

I expect there will be the same excellent atmosphere and banter in the pubs along the way. Quite right to take a bit longer and enjoy the scenery, too many people walking with their heads down and missing whats around them.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 5:07pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Thanks VM. Looks like we will have to use huts etc when we go together or I Carey it all. Not good. My back is dodgy too.
When we tried it back in 1980, my dad had his big external framed pack. I had an ex army bergen. We had a for man greenfield ridge tent and a globetrotter stove with mess tins. I remember we both wore a lot of wool and had cagoule. I actually found the original guidebook with handwritten notes in it. Even with all that heavy gear we did Milngavie to Cashel on the first day. I was only 14.
This time I aim to finish. 40 years SINCE the official opening of the way and 40 years since I last attempted it. Time flies.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


Personseanfdh
07/12/2019 at 5:09pm
 Location: North Devon
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Have a tremendous time. My mother and brother did it a few years back but they were B&Bing, not camping.

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Sean


PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 5:19pm
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Thanks Sean. The tent only weighs a kilo so no problem. I will have a hotel at the start and finish. I'm only doing 2 nights true wild camping and even that is within staggering distance of a pub. The other nights are on sites with the chance of washing clothes etc.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


PersonCaligula
07/12/2019 at 5:23pm
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sounds incredible...………...


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PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 5:28pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Hopefully it will be incredible. As long as my body lasts out. We did 135 km last year but on easier terrain. This one will be 154 km. I've been doing a lot of training. Lost weight. Went down an inch in ma troosers so my walking gear is a bit baggy. I found some dehydrated food tfrom Poland that is organic and lactose free so going to try that. I know I am stubborn enough to do it. I just hope my knees and back are too.

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Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


PersonCaligula
07/12/2019 at 5:36pm
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Are you planning on doing a log and some photos?
Seriously impressed, enthused...amazed. Most excellent.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 5:52pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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I will do a log on here and my instagram account. That will depend on charge and WiFi of course. I'm not taking my camera, only my phone but it has a leica lens and I can switch it to manual.
AsVangoman said, it is a busy route and I don't think it is an achievement on par with some of the big walking routes elsewhere or the Cape Wrath trail for example. It will be a massive personal achievement thoughband hopefully good experience for the future. I still want to do the first 7 days of the Kungsleden in Sweden and the Laugavegur in Iceland (when the tourists stop going). I also have my eye on the canal du midi which would be a challenge due to the heat. My wife hasn't given up on doing the Cam8no from St Jean in France. Hopefully the treatment will allow us to do that.
Many would say doing it solo os a challenge. I relish the isolation and not having to worry or rely on others. Most of all it will be good to be home for a while. I know the whole route so well.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag


PersonCaligula
07/12/2019 at 6:35pm
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It makes me realise how inadequate I am: I can't even organise myself (easily) to do a overnight in a nearby copse in my lavvu!!

I would like to do (as has been done by thousands!) a long distance paddle (wild camp and B and B) along the Thames....how/when, I don't know, I'm in my mid 60s now.....) It would justify my predilection for canvas !
If you do do a log, a site (you may know of it) called Life in the Wilderness would love to share it, and it's the easiest to upload pictures (can be done direct, no need for hosting wotsits)

Have an amazing time...how can one not???

I'll look forward to hearing something, somewhere...about it....


VangoMan02
07/12/2019 at 6:38pm
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Ewen, can you remember Jimmy McGregor's series on the West Highland Way back then.
I believe the series inspired so many people to do the way.

We used the smallest Lichfield Challenger ridge tent when doing the way, steel poles and pegs
I remember we ate a lot of Cadbury's Smash, never ate it since.
My rucksack was an old original Karrimor borrowed from a relation and like you say it was bloody heavy. Happy days!

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonEwen c
via mobile 07/12/2019 at 7:01pm
 Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
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Caligula, I will keep that site in mind.
Vangoman.I remember the series well.
I aim to be doing hillwalking and long distance walks until I drop. The best decision I mad was to give up the cigarettes almost 4 years ago. I had no stamina. Now my fitness is back.

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Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag



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