West Highland Way
Discussion
Two of my friends are relatively keen walkers and do regular day trips.. up mountains and the like. 
They're trying to rope me in to doing the West Highland Way in April, and i'm actually quite interested. I am not a walker, i am relatively unfit. I have no gear.
They intend to do it over about 6 days. We'll all kip in the same tent to cut down on weight.
I used to do a fair bit of mountain biking, and have done at most, about 30 miles of the WHW up round the devils staircase (where i broke my knee).
So what will i need? I thought, shoes, gaters, jacket, waterproof trousers.. but i wouldn't know where to start with kit. They might, but i feel like posting it on here and taking some abuse.
They're trying to rope me in to doing the West Highland Way in April, and i'm actually quite interested. I am not a walker, i am relatively unfit. I have no gear.
They intend to do it over about 6 days. We'll all kip in the same tent to cut down on weight.
I used to do a fair bit of mountain biking, and have done at most, about 30 miles of the WHW up round the devils staircase (where i broke my knee).
So what will i need? I thought, shoes, gaters, jacket, waterproof trousers.. but i wouldn't know where to start with kit. They might, but i feel like posting it on here and taking some abuse.
Edited by AMCDan on Thursday 15th January 12:02
AMCDan said:
Two of my friends are relatively keen walkers and do regular day trips.. up mountains and the like.
They're trying to rope me in to doing the West Highland Way in April, and i'm actually quite interested. I am not a walker, i am relatively unfit. I have no gear.
They intend to do it over about 6 days. We'll all kip in the same tent to cut down on weight.
I used to do a fair bit of mountain biking, and have done at most, about 30 miles of the WHW up round the devils staircase (where i broke my knee).
So what will i need? I thought, shoes, gaters, jacket, waterproof trousers.. but i wouldn't know where to start with kit. They might, but i feel like posting it on here and taking some abuse.
That's all you need. Plus maybe a guide book and/or maps between you.They're trying to rope me in to doing the West Highland Way in April, and i'm actually quite interested. I am not a walker, i am relatively unfit. I have no gear.
They intend to do it over about 6 days. We'll all kip in the same tent to cut down on weight.
I used to do a fair bit of mountain biking, and have done at most, about 30 miles of the WHW up round the devils staircase (where i broke my knee).
So what will i need? I thought, shoes, gaters, jacket, waterproof trousers.. but i wouldn't know where to start with kit. They might, but i feel like posting it on here and taking some abuse.
Edited by AMCDan on Thursday 15th January 12:02
If the weather becomes horrendous then some safety gear (mountain blanket, torch, whistle etc.) might be of some use, but April should be ok.
Oh and 6 days? That's just a short stroll each day - the WHW should be able do be done in 4 days, 5 at max.
Edited by oyster on Thursday 15th January 12:20
Amc
Boots - what time of year are you going ? Its about 140 miles - though its nice to climb Ben Nevis at the end of the trip.
Don't bother with full leather old school, get some brashers or salomon - their fine.
Walking socks two pairs and some thin gym socks underneath will save your blister. If you get a sore spot - whip your boots off early and apply vaseline or bodyglide BEFORE you get a blister.
Trouser - who cares, ron hill orkarrimor are fine, but quick dry fabrics are best
layers - vest - wicking type, technical t, lightweight jumper, fleece and waterproof
water bottle - minimum 1 litre personally i'd take more
Map, Compass, Whistle, pocketknife, firstaid kit, torch, stove, billy cans, kettle, tea coffee powdered milk bacon cheese bread , scotch, porridge, milk, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, mug
survival bag/ground sheet - nurofen, mobile phone, pants spare ts / towel
Hope this helps
Boots - what time of year are you going ? Its about 140 miles - though its nice to climb Ben Nevis at the end of the trip.
Don't bother with full leather old school, get some brashers or salomon - their fine.
Walking socks two pairs and some thin gym socks underneath will save your blister. If you get a sore spot - whip your boots off early and apply vaseline or bodyglide BEFORE you get a blister.
Trouser - who cares, ron hill orkarrimor are fine, but quick dry fabrics are best
layers - vest - wicking type, technical t, lightweight jumper, fleece and waterproof
water bottle - minimum 1 litre personally i'd take more
Map, Compass, Whistle, pocketknife, firstaid kit, torch, stove, billy cans, kettle, tea coffee powdered milk bacon cheese bread , scotch, porridge, milk, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, mug
survival bag/ground sheet - nurofen, mobile phone, pants spare ts / towel
Hope this helps
Also - its a fantastic walk - loved every bit.
Optional gear , Camera, book, travel pillow,
you'll need a rucksack too, berghaus or Karrimor for me.
Six days is fair enough if your camping, can't always get started at sparrows everyday with cooking, breaking camp.
Optional gear , Camera, book, travel pillow,
you'll need a rucksack too, berghaus or Karrimor for me.
Six days is fair enough if your camping, can't always get started at sparrows everyday with cooking, breaking camp.
Edited by Gargamel on Thursday 15th January 12:30
Get out and do a few short practise hikes - I have been biking for many years and this proved good for walking uphill, but downhill killed me when started walking due to never using the muscles responsible for 'braking' downhill. Walked a bit funny for the following week!
Also a good idea to make sure that toenails are kept short with no sticky outy bits that can dig into the adjacent toes! Ouch!
Also a good idea to make sure that toenails are kept short with no sticky outy bits that can dig into the adjacent toes! Ouch!
I have done 2/3 of it over 3 days - it was a fantastic experience.
The main tip I would have is to think about is some form of padding for the feet. A lot of the WHW is on General Wade's old military roads which are very hard under foot. I don't normally suffer from problems with blisters whether hill walking or running, but I got some monsterous blisters on my heels after that walk.
The main tip I would have is to think about is some form of padding for the feet. A lot of the WHW is on General Wade's old military roads which are very hard under foot. I don't normally suffer from problems with blisters whether hill walking or running, but I got some monsterous blisters on my heels after that walk.
Gargamel said:
Amc
Boots - what time of year are you going ? Its about 140 miles - though its nice to climb Ben Nevis at the end of the trip.
Don't bother with full leather old school, get some brashers or salomon - their fine.
Walking socks two pairs and some thin gym socks underneath will save your blister. If you get a sore spot - whip your boots off early and apply vaseline or bodyglide BEFORE you get a blister.
Trouser - who cares, ron hill orkarrimor are fine, but quick dry fabrics are best
layers - vest - wicking type, technical t, lightweight jumper, fleece and waterproof
water bottle - minimum 1 litre personally i'd take more
Map, Compass, Whistle, pocketknife, firstaid kit, torch, stove, billy cans, kettle, tea coffee powdered milk bacon cheese bread , scotch, porridge, milk, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, mug
survival bag/ground sheet - nurofen, mobile phone, pants spare ts / towel
Hope this helps
It's only 95 miles. From south to north the first 20 miles or so are a piece of piss.Boots - what time of year are you going ? Its about 140 miles - though its nice to climb Ben Nevis at the end of the trip.
Don't bother with full leather old school, get some brashers or salomon - their fine.
Walking socks two pairs and some thin gym socks underneath will save your blister. If you get a sore spot - whip your boots off early and apply vaseline or bodyglide BEFORE you get a blister.
Trouser - who cares, ron hill orkarrimor are fine, but quick dry fabrics are best
layers - vest - wicking type, technical t, lightweight jumper, fleece and waterproof
water bottle - minimum 1 litre personally i'd take more
Map, Compass, Whistle, pocketknife, firstaid kit, torch, stove, billy cans, kettle, tea coffee powdered milk bacon cheese bread , scotch, porridge, milk, tent, sleeping bag, bedroll, mug
survival bag/ground sheet - nurofen, mobile phone, pants spare ts / towel
Hope this helps
ALongside Loch Lomond there's some mild scrambling but the rest of the walk is just that - a walk. Stunning views but no real difficult parts unless you are utterly unfit.
On the boots front: If you need the really tough leather ones for the terrain? By them now and start wearing them in with a long walk every weekend - or you will suffer for it.
If you can get away with the tough sort I bought a pair of Rohan walking boots just days before a walking holiday in Spain. Wore them immediately with no breaking in and didn't get any foot trouble at all.
http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=050...
These are half price at the moment...
http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=050...
If you can get away with the tough sort I bought a pair of Rohan walking boots just days before a walking holiday in Spain. Wore them immediately with no breaking in and didn't get any foot trouble at all.
http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=050...
These are half price at the moment...
http://www.rohan.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=050...
Oyster - you are right - don't know what I was thinking - it is 95 m - 152k
Seemed further when I walked it - which was either 89 or 90.
Yes agreed its not terribly hard wlaking, although the loch lomond day was around 26 miles for us. And the Devils stair case is a decent outing.
However, we weren't carrying camping gear......
Seemed further when I walked it - which was either 89 or 90.
Yes agreed its not terribly hard wlaking, although the loch lomond day was around 26 miles for us. And the Devils stair case is a decent outing.
However, we weren't carrying camping gear......
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