In it, I saw an opportunity to better my exhilarating hike along the Pennine Way, and to create new stories for myself about my own confidence and resilience. Our rain gear and tent worked, and we were never cold, so at any given time the weather was not an issue. Do you always hike alone? As I walked between the quiet houses scattered around the valley floor, the sense of isolation started to bear down on me. Here’s what to expect: 1.Wet feet. So for those of you interested in walking to Cape Wrath, it’s time to dust off those map-and-compass skills! Approximately 230 miles in length, most people take 2-3 weeks to backpack the trip. I had hoped to be on the trail again – right now, in fact, I should have been enjoying a rest day in Morvich – but coronavirus put paid to my plans. Even to start it is to participate in an incredible adventure. A little further along, at Sourlies, a herd of deer thundered across the beach at the head of the sea loch. I did not use leather boots for the CWT or Scottish National trail I use cloth based boots\trail shoes. Well, I had hoped to be back on the trail between March and April – but the coronavirus outbreak stalled my plans. There I was to camp for the night before tackling the serious challenge of a 19km hike to Shiel Bridge, crossing over the Cape Wrath Trail’s highest point just below the Forcan Ridge. From Kinloch Hourn the path lofted high into the wild terrain of Kinlochourn Forest, leaving behind the mineral scent of the sea loch. A month has now past and I’m back in West London thinking about how and what I’ll do differently next time. So here, for the first time, is the full story behind my embarrassing misadventure – and how I’m already working to remedy it. I have always been drawn to those remote and hard trails – maybe it is my need to feel that I’m on the edge and pushing my survival limits – so the Cape Wrath Trail became my goal in the UK. This is a variation of the Cape Wrath Trail which normally starts at Fort William. Like you, I think that once you’ve been there you know there’ll be a next time. Cape Wrath Trail Tip 15 – Pack One Gas Canister and Refuel on the Trip You can buy additional gas canisters at London stores in Rhiconich; Ullapool (there are two hiking shops so you can get most things inc. tent repair splints); the shop at Kinlochewe (9am-5.30pm) and the garage/campsite shop at Shiel Bridge (closes at 6pm). We don’t hear enough stories about that, falling into the horrible belief that we must press on, never quit, leading to possibly dangerous situations. Hi Andy I really enjoyed your account of the CWT. Looking back over my experience, I think I can offer four pieces of advice to the would-be Cape Wrath Trailblazer. All of that – my hopes, my enthusiasm and my self-confidence – lay rotting in a snow hole, high on a hostile mountain. Hi Peter – I hope you’ll forgive the delayed response. Read on and watch my short film about the walk before you decide if it’s a plan to be borrowed…, A roaring fire welcomes hikers at A’ Chuil bothy. In my keenness to make progress I ignored my pre-hike caution and paid no attention at all to the likely difficulties presented by a mountain climb on top of an already taxing day. Disappointment and failure are bitter, and it took some time for me to start seriously reviewing what had led me to my accident. The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site. Cape Wrath trail route. Hopefully I’ll be striding back towards the hills a little later in 2020. Viel mehr ist es ein Netzwerk an einander gereihten Wanderstrecken (durch teils wegloses Gelände) mit vielen Alternativrouten, die dich über 370 km durch die nordwestlichen Highlands von Fort William nach Cape Wrath führen. I wish there were more stories of sensibility, courage to quit, and lessons from mistakes in our community. I reached Kinloch Hourn by lunchtime, in high spirits. I guess my misanthropy is softening…. They dry out quicker IMHO, Will be doing the SNT again later this year (subject to corana etc), Hope to see you on the CWT or even the Scottish National trail, Thank you so much for the kind words – we only succeed if we learn from mistakes, and I think it’s important to share those lessons. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial long distance trail and as such it is very remote and rarely walked. It’s not actually a trail though, but a route. For information on the trip’s background, check out this blog post. Whether I’m to be trusted after making such an embarrassing misjudgement, I leave to you to decide. Although 2019 had been unseasonably mild, 700m is well above the snow line in April, and the bealach was almost in winter conditions. I paused to stab my trekking poles into the frozen lake at the high point, and slushy ice gushed out of the hole. 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