Cape Wrath Trail

ADz

Thru Hiker
Thinking of attempting this next May.

If I was not to take my trekking poles which I barley use tbh, which tent would be most ideal?

Trekkertent Stealth 1 (a no go for Cape Wrath, was perfect for my C2C last month tho :cool: )

If you want to use the Xmid but not trekking poles carbon rods would be a lighter option?
 
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craige

Thru Hiker
Could get a bivi and polycryo groundsheet to use with the xmid to make it more livable and potentially lighter. No midges until late May.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
Does anyone have a list/location of good campsites (gpx waypoints? gps co-ords) that they would be willing to share. And any bad locations - particularly bad ticks/bogs/weather?

I have a daily itinerary, but I am sure this will change pretty quickly so would like to have a set of locations, dependent on whether I am behind or ahead of plan.
 

Jaco

Ultralighter
Does anyone have a list/location of good campsites (gpx waypoints? gps co-ords) that they would be willing to share. And any bad locations - particularly bad ticks/bogs/weather?

Anywhere there's a bothy there's good camping alongside, the Teahouse excepted. A list of wild pitches isn't really necessary because you will just find them while you're out there. Even my worst unintended pitch - the carpark at Inchnadamph on a dreck night - wasn't too bad.

The videos by Walk With Wallace and Sniper Hikes show a lot of potential places. My only suggestion is for the first night if you plan on camping before Glenfinnan: there's a good spot at the top of Cona Glen, just before the path goes uphill to the first pass. One to pass by was Barrisdale Bay as it had lots of construction noise and Kinloch Hourn is nicer (and free).
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
Reading somewhere about a lad taking a tumble on the route, loosing his specs and calling in a chopper rescue on his inreach because he couldnt read his maps/gps/phone. Probably more to it than the abridged version but it seems rather extreme imo.
 

Dr Zarkov

Section Hiker
Reading somewhere about a lad taking a tumble on the route, loosing his specs and calling in a chopper rescue on his inreach because he couldnt read his maps/gps/phone. Probably more to it than the abridged version but it seems rather extreme imo.
If he had an inreach he could have maybe communicated first and not hit SOS? I dont know the full story either but do know if you are genuinely lost (cant navigate), possibly injured and dont know what the outcome is going to be due to this then hitting SOS is sensible. Watched a generally sound YT video on this not so long ago when looking to potetially change batteries on my PLB.

 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
Reading somewhere about a lad taking a tumble on the route, loosing his specs and calling in a chopper rescue on his inreach because he couldnt read his maps/gps/phone. Probably more to it than the abridged version but it seems rather extreme imo.
If my eyesight, which is that's not great, meant I couldn't read a map without my glasses I think I'd make sure I'd got a spare pair in my ditty bag. Sometimes "spare" is essential.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
If he had an inreach he could have maybe communicated first and not hit SOS? I dont know the full story either but do know if you are genuinely lost (cant navigate), possibly injured and dont know what the outcome is going to be due to this then hitting SOS is sensible. Watched a generally sound YT video on this not so long ago when looking to potetially change batteries on my PLB.

Trouble is if you can't see how can you communicate by text?
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I have one of those magnifier cards in my kit. He managed to see the SOS button though.
That's the point, you can feel it. The trouble is if you are used to being able to see with your glasses on and then you have to start reading screens to send a message you're stuffed. Try sending a text with your eyes shut.

Good idea the magnifier card.
 

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
That's the point, you can feel it. The trouble is if you are used to being able to see with your glasses on and then you have to start reading screens to send a message you're stuffed. Try sending a text with your eyes shut.

Good idea the magnifier card.

Some compasses have a magnifier as well.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
If my eyesight, which is that's not great, meant I couldn't read a map without my glasses I think I'd make sure I'd got a spare pair in my ditty bag. Sometimes "spare" is essential.
100% imo

My reading vision has deteriorated massively in the last 5 years, I can't see **** close in or map details without gigs anymore, but on multi day walks alone I always carry a spare set

Trouble is if you can't see how can you communicate by text?

I would just take photos of my map and expand the picture to see detail, route etc. Even viewranger can zoom to a readable size and any decent smartphone settings are easily accessible to makes the font huge (I just tried it :D )
 

Dr Zarkov

Section Hiker
That's the point, you can feel it. The trouble is if you are used to being able to see with your glasses on and then you have to start reading screens to send a message you're stuffed. Try sending a text with your eyes shut.

Good idea the magnifier card.
Dont really know much about the inreach configuration but its on the list for future buys as I like the text function and the weight saving as my PLB weighs 50 grams more than the inreach but is supposedly more reliable. I reckon I could use it with my eyes shut though as its ridged where it needs to be and can feel it.
 

OwenM

Thru Hiker
I can't see the map without my glasses, can't see the phone screen or GPS either. I normally carry my specs in my pack top pocket. I have a pair of nooz hanging around my neck, their great for quickly checking the map. My cycling glasses are bifocals so I can look up to see where I'm going and down for the bike computer. It's a real PITA but there's nothing else I can do about it.

On the inreach, I believe once you've pressed the panic button they try to text you for more details, while simultaneously calling the nearest rescue services.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
My dad recently lost most of his sight through macular degeneration and cataracts. He has an iPad but can't now use it because he can't get used to the visual and auditory aids, so we have had to buy him a usb book reader with big feel-able buttons, from RNIB and have modified a DAB radio with bits of soft side and hook side of velcro so he can feel the on/off button and select channel button.

I reckon in an emergency situation, if my vision was very poor without glasses, the chances of me being able to work out how to make my phone accessible would be very low. I'm pretty sure I'd end up pressing the SOS button and then not be able to respond to text enquiries which would no doubt lead to them scrambling a helicopter.
 

dovidola

Thru Hiker
Reading somewhere about a lad taking a tumble on the route, loosing his specs and calling in a chopper rescue on his inreach because he couldnt read his maps/gps/phone. Probably more to it than the abridged version but it seems rather extreme imo.
Indeed - it is to be hoped there was more to it...

Neither maps nor spectacles are that new, although PLBs are. It would be interesting to know how many hiking fatalities resulted from lost spectacles over the years.

Or, to put it another way, has technology, coupled with an increasingly risk-averse and H&S-obsessed culture, given us new reasons to summon the rescue services?
 

Balagan

Thru Hiker
Indeed - it is to be hoped there was more to it...

Neither maps nor spectacles are that new, although PLBs are. It would be interesting to know how many hiking fatalities resulted from lost spectacles over the years.

Or, to put it another way, has technology, coupled with an increasingly risk-averse and H&S-obsessed culture, given us new reasons to summon the rescue services?
There are specs wearers and then there are specs wearers. I could use a magnifying glass or phone trick to read a map but that wouldn't help me make out a particular hill or col in the distance. Neither would it help me choose a safer-looking rock or stone to step on in a steep bit of terrain. I would probably have trouble picking out a track 20 yards in front of me. And then again, I know spec wearers who would be unable to cross a street unassisted without their glasses.
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
I have a pair of nooz hanging around my neck, their great for quickly checking the map.

I've given up on Nooz.
Not because they don't do the job but because the 'springiness' in the bridge section weakens and then they keep falling out of the case.
Lost 2 pairs now and just not going to get anymore.
Hubby has lost several pairs too - with them just dropping out of the case.
So you might want to re-evaluate hanging them around your neck ....
 
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On the inreach, I believe once you've pressed the panic button they try to text you for more details, while simultaneously calling the nearest rescue services.
Yes, spot on and that's it strength so you get comfort and a safe measured response.

I carry glasses and carry some spare Litesmith ones at mag 1.25 that weigh a couple of grams in my FAK) just in case I have to read the Inreach screen or use the text function in desperation.
I reckon the personally created, pre-saved (before you leave home via web), unlimited free texts on the most and cheapest Basic Plan are the icing on the cake. They are just brilliant.
 
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