Cape Wrath Trail

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
I enjoyed this guy’s CWT videos. He did the first part with his dog. I like his self deprecating manner. :)

This is good timing. Looking at planning a route for September. Will probably only have time for half of it but gives me a great idea as to what to expect from the terrain.
 

dovidola

Thru Hiker
I fancy giving it a go, and I don't 'do' LDPs. Double the average completion time to 5 weeks or so spanning April/May, and that'll be what I'll aim for.

24 walking days averaging 10 miles, interspersed with 12 rest days (because I like them).

Resupply logistics will be a new thing to learn about - I was wondering about a prebooked B&B/hotel holding a parcel for me to collect - has anyone got experience of this?
 

OwenM

Thru Hiker
There's supermarkets in Fort William, Ullapool and Durness. Small village shops in Shiel Bridge, Torridon, Poolewe and Kinlochbervie. Not sure about Kinlochewe I didn't go there. Don't know about sending yourself parcels but I don't see why not if you ask first.
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
There's supermarkets in Fort William, Ullapool and Durness. Small village shops in Shiel Bridge, Torridon, Poolewe and Kinlochbervie. Not sure about Kinlochewe I didn't go there. Don't know about sending yourself parcels but I don't see why not if you ask first.

PO in Kinlochewe, with some supplies in the shop. I remember gas and meths there. Pub, campsite and restauraunt there too.
 

fluffkitten

Moderator
Staff member
There's supermarkets in Fort William, Ullapool and Durness. Small village shops in Shiel Bridge, Torridon, Poolewe and Kinlochbervie. Not sure about Kinlochewe I didn't go there. Don't know about sending yourself parcels but I don't see why not if you ask first.

The Cicerone guide says there is a shop/post office and a small shop at the garage. :) Of course not having been there I don't know if it is still the case.
 

Mole

Thru Hiker
Yep. 2 shops in Kinlochewe. Both sell stuff a hiker can eat n carry. . Garage upgraded a few years ago.

Chap we met last week had sent a parcel to Inchnadamph hostel. They had a few there waiting to be collected apparently. They weren't taking bookings/campers and nearby Hotel was closed to non residents. There's a few pitches up near the Trail junction. Either side of river.
 

Jaco

Ultralighter
The bloke at the PO in Kinlochewe isn't the friendliest, but he did what I needed him to do (hold my poste restante parcel) and didn't get annoyed with me bumbling around with a backpack in the wee aisles :) The lady is nice and posted some cards I left after coming back from a feed at the café after 11, when the PO had officially closed. You can buy your food from the shop if you're not fussy - a LEJOG youngster was doing just that - but a parcel is the way to go, IMHO.

The main thing to keep in mind is the limited hours that the PO currently operates: 9am - 11am. Getting there on time is no problem with a prompt start from Craig / Coulin Pass, but from further south you need to get your timing right to ensure that you're not hanging around, wasting a day, waiting for it to open.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
The most I carried was 4 days of food and didn't post anywhere. But then I was quite fast (9 days, started at glenfinnan and had a nero in Ullapool) so would have been maybe 5-6 days max going a bit slower.

i am starting to confirm my plans for September. I will have about 10 days so plan to skip the first section: catch train to glenfinnian and start from there. Will see how far I get, but the plan will be to walk for 10-12h per day (weather dependent) not much else to do! Would like to do a resupply, but need to figure out where.

Watched a few YT videos and looked at the maps: the acent/descents do not concern me (live in the alps), but with the boggy terrain, not sure what a good average pace is to use for planning. 2mph?

@craige To give me some idea of your pace, you were averaging approx 20+ miles per day for 9 days? How many hours a day were you hiking? thanks
 
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Back in Pack

Section Hiker
Here is my lighterpack for CWT trip - think this is close to complete: https://lighterpack.com/r/toepav except sleep system.

For those of you in the west of Scotland: i looked at the historical weather trends. Even at night, there is an average low of approx 8C.
Anecdotally, accounting for the rain/altitude, what are the chances of it being nearer 0 at times? Can I get away with a 5C synthetic quilt and pad or should plan for the warmer sleep system. Thx
 
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Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
I took an 8c PHD Racer bag when we did it, last week in August first week in September, I'll probably take the same again this year but I'll check nearer the time.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
I took an 8c PHD Racer bag when we did it, last week in August first week in September, I'll probably take the same again this year but I'll check nearer the time.
That is the difficulty for me, as I will be coming across to Uk a week earlier for stuff in London and having to quarantine as well, so I will be planning 3 weeks out. Really would like to take lighter 5C synthetic quilt to handle the moisture better
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Could you bring both and make a call before you leave the big smoke? Maybe someone could hold onto the redundant one until your finished or arrange to post it home to you? I don't mind helping out but presume you have friends/family over here anyway
 

Teepee

Thru Hiker
i am starting to confirm my plans for September. I will have about 10 days so plan to skip the first section: catch train to glenfinnian and start from there. Will see how far I get, but the plan will be to walk for 10-12h per day not much else to do! Would like to do a resupply, but need to figure out where.

Watched a few YT videos and looked at the maps: the acent/descents do not concern me (live in the alps), but with the boggy terrain, not sure what a good average pace is to use for planning. 2mph?

@craige To give me some idea of your pace, you were averaging approx 20+ miles per day for 9 days? How many hours a day were you hiking? thanks
Have a good trip. :thumbsup:

You are correct, there isn't that much ascent on the route unless you go over some ridges and they are few and far betwen on the standard route

The speed can be all over the place though, depending upon trail conditions which can vary from wading death bog and spate burns to great.

I think I'll do it at an average pace of 4kmh 15 min/km moving time.

You will find that 'bog attuned eyes', comedy rock spotting skills, doing the 'Jesus step' and pole vaulting through technical stuff will be pace increasing skills. Midges generally hasten the pace too.

As for resupplies, It's hit and miss but generally better than feared.

0c is very unlikely. At that time of year, ~5c minimum should be fine. TBH, it's not the cold but the damp. Scottish cold can be cold like no other. (Edit; I see you notice the damp problem)

I've a feeling this Sept won't be too bad this year but we'll see. I'm guessing we'll see benign weather and clouds of Midge.

Maybe see you there.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
Could you bring both and make a call before you leave the big smoke? Maybe someone could hold onto the redundant one until your finished or arrange to post it home to you? I don't mind helping out but presume you have friends/family over here anyway
Thank you - yes i think that will be the way to go. Had not thought about mailing it home. Great idea.

I am looking at the logistics of flights into London and out from Aberdeen/Glasgow. Or I just drive and bring everything!
 
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