walkhighlands

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NB. This board is for reports on multi-day long distance routes - reports on simply long walks should be added to the standard boards.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Walking the Way in Winter

Walking the Way in Winter


Postby weaselmaster » Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:25 pm

Route description: West Highland Way

Date walked: 03/01/2022

Time taken: 6 days

Distance: 160 km

Ascent: 4772m

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Allison was celebrating a *significant birthday* this week and had talked for a while about wanting to do the West Highland Way over that time. In fact she's talked about wanting to do the WHW for years - her dad, siblings and husband have all done it, and so have I. People at work would exclaim in surprise when they learned she'd not completed The Way. So it has been a bit of a sore point for her. Of course she had no wish to do it in the clement months - far too many other people doing it then, not to mention midges. But winer - that would be another thing altogether. I will admit that I too had wondered about doing it in winter - well here was the chance.

We have never walked for more than 3 consecutive days before - that is without returning to the car or whatever to replenish supplies. We both harbour some ambitions to do some of the long distance routes, but supply issues - mostly food - have put us off. So in addition to a special birthday celebration, this would be an opportunity to test out our resilience and provisioning.

What exactly constitutes doing The Way in winter? Recently it has been unseasonably warm at times, so that the only real "winter" conditions to deal with are the short days (and lack of midges). And that didn't really seem much of a challenge - we wanted to have at least some snow and ice, you know - wintery stuff. The forecast for our week suggested a good couple of days at the start, followed by wet and windy conditions and a drop in temperature. At the planning stage we had to make some decisions about kit. The main issue was what tent to pack - we normally take the Niak on backpacking adventures, but the forecast high winds and issues with condensation forced a rethink - we'd take the Nammatj 2 which is a much sturdier tent I'd trust in any conditions, but which is - of course - heavier and takes up more space. Winter kit? we dispensed with the idea of needing axes, but we decided to take crampons as ice coming down from the devil's staircase or the various other steep bits could be a real problem without. How to keep the sleeping bag dry for 5 nights? How much gas would we need? Decisions decisions...

Image4CFEA0AE-9F2D-4FB1-B15F-3039F351598A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

The extra kit and taking 6 days food meant that we had heavier packs than we normally have. Substantially heavier. I looked out our old big rucksacks that we've not used for years, preferring the lighter osprey Exos 58l to these heavy 65 and 70l rigid framed packs. But we didn't really have much choice. We packed them up and sat them in my lounge the day before we left and shuddered at the weight...

We had decided on six days for our travels - this meant days of 25 - 30km could be achieved without need for marching under head torch and would also mean not overly pushing ourselves- Allison kept reminding me this was meant to be a pleasurable experience, not a gruelling test of character :wink: We'd leave early on the Monday and finish on the Saturday, spending the final night in Fort William before getting the train back home. As planned we got the 06.53 train into Glasgow on Monday morning. It was strange walking through the city streets with big packs on. Past the Xmas decorations in George Square and into Queen St station where we waited patiently for the train to Milngavie, trying to put out of mind anything we might have forgotten to pack - too late by that stage. The train arrived on time, we boarded and watched the rain under the street lamps as we shuttled out of the city. It was still drizzling by the time we disembarked at Milngavie and headed round to the Start of the Way. A helpful gent in red trousers approached us offering to take our pictures at the starting point and regaled us with some cheery banter. I did think about popping into Greggs beside the start for a good luck vegan sausage roll, but decided no. We were off!

Only 50p more than it was 5 years ago!
Image9AEED2D3-50BC-4C89-B274-8A05802DDF14 by Al, on Flickr

Image4B664FD3-93F5-4332-8696-CA0447EE8CC6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageBF4FD3AB-34B3-465D-9725-76E8BF3EC15D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

We headed through the woods towards Mugdock Park. A couple of old ladies suggested we might be crazy and hoped we had some good whisky to keep us warm. Everything was a bit dreich and grey - the cloud was low on the small hills as we inched towards Dumgoyne. A solo walker caught up with us - a young European guy who had 4 days to try and do the Way. I suggested he'd need to be doing some walking in the dark to make that. We vainly hoped that the Glengoyne distillery might be open, as we wandered past - a snifter would be nice with lunch. But it - and as we were to find out, so much else - was shut. We stopped some way after the sewage works for a bite of lunch, relieved to shuffle off the heavy packs for a short while. Then onwards, past Gartness and towards Drymen, where the rain began to abate and we got brief glimpses of sunshine. My intention was to get either to Garabhan Wood or alternatively the summit of Conic Hill and camp for the night. By the time we reached the wood it was clear that we were both feeling sore and tired and Conic Hill would need to wait for the following day. There were lots of folk out walking, and we talked to a nice couple for a while. We found a spot near the end of the wood and pitched, feeling a little guilty as it was only 3.30, but we had turned in the required 25k for one day.

Image9D3D7A69-AE75-4185-9044-F018D1EE5883_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageBCEE8F87-2CF1-4964-8D4C-1E1F5020889D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image5BC4B464-B4F9-400C-9644-9331F6B12B43_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image38C7F2BD-651B-4108-9B70-D5DE18E9B45C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image55602309-24C9-48B4-BC73-A4946E7F3B01_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageCEFEA84D-B56A-4DCE-AEC9-AE4138039A97_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr


Day Two - Garabhan Wood to Rowchoich Bothy (well almost) 25k
A clear sky overnight had brought the frost and it was decidedly chilly when we got up on Tuesday morning. We'd both slept well, despite a strange noise that sounded like a muffled monologue on a TV in a van which went on all night, and was indeed still going in the morning. However, we were late getting up (clearly needed the rest) and didn't set off until 9.15, which seemed remiss given that it was a very pretty day. We had our initial view of Loch Lomond. Our first objective was Conic Hill, and even from far off we could see human specks at the top of it. The place was crowded - it felt like half of Glasgow had decided to come for the day out. WAs glad we hadn't opted to camp at the top! Descending to the Balmaha side was challenging due to very icy conditions underfoot - we briefly considered strapping on the crampons, which would have been sensible, but it felt like overkill for Conic Hill. We managed to make it down without mishap. Allison said Hi to Tom Weir and I tried to replenish our water from the handy blue fill up your bottle machines...sadly it was frozen solid and gave me no water. The stretch to Rowardennan was very busy with all sorts of folk. A lovely light on the calm waters of the Loch and on the Luss hills.

Frosty start
ImageAAF15537-FEF2-4CA7-A042-0C7D82625A86_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Conic Hill
Image4B6BD0BE-2291-4A64-9A3B-DF998FC0219E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageDC4518F4-9998-4364-B89C-0F8580DF3928_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Icy descent
Image4067B7F7-506B-41DC-A3EC-28D824ACC1AC_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image794AD5F4-7B7A-4213-B107-7CC2FDF12D55_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Useful - when not frozen
ImageE91C4DB1-607C-4BFA-A65C-1DE0346BF4CF_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr


We got to the car park at Rowardennan where there was another helpful water point that wasn't frozen this time, topped up, then continued on a much quieter track past Ptarmigan Lodge and onto the ups and downs of the shoreside path. All very pretty in the glorious conditions today. I had hoped to either get to Rowchoich Bothy and camp near there, or to get a bit further to Inversnaid, where I knew there was a wild camp spot set aside. I had vague hopes of pitching the tent and nipping into the Hotel for a pint before bed. Hmmm. The wind was getting up, the waters of the loch as choppy as I've seen them, and the first priority was to find a pitch that would be sheltered - the forecast had suggested gusts of over 35mph through the night. We found a suitable spot about 1km shy of Rowchoich and - as darkness was falling fast - opted to pitch there. Sat outside the tent making then eating our dinner then retired for a quiet night, except from the traffic noises and car lights from the A82 which was, of course, only a spit across the loch.

Image180167BE-B8D4-4896-9B10-098DF0EF113C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Ben Lomond thru the trees
Image42A46901-9239-4366-8D90-5E47F6A5091B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image89569546-419F-4225-ACD9-BE4C31E6306C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image7620D92F-C41D-4E1D-8DA8-CD8EA5432B49_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image75D6F23E-D56B-447F-8328-C98FF214CF79_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image4793C05C-D0E1-43B6-96AF-6F0DF2AC3D66_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image3F824542-82AA-42B9-9380-F581054ACECF_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Day 3 - Rowchoich to Derrydarroch 24k
Up at a slightly better time today - 8.30 - and off into the woods. Before getting out the tent, I'd glimpsed a slim black figure without rucksack heading south in the darkness. An elf? Strange. Anyway, we passed by Rowchoich, which had a plume of smoke coming from the chimney, so we didn't stop for a peek inside. When we reached The Overlook....sorry - Inversnaid Hotel, we saw that it was all closed for winter, so my fantasy of an evening pint wouldn't have been realised. There is indeed a spot for wild camping, maybe 500m past the hotel, after a corrugated shack. The section from here to Down Bothy is possibly the prettiest section of the Way, Allison had mis-read "Rob Roy's Prison" as "Roy Orbison's Prison" which gave us both a laugh. More ups and downs, little bits of scrambliness which were somewhat awkward with big packs on. We could see what I think were the easternmost of the Lui Hills in the distance. It was all blooming gorgeous. Past Done Byre Bothy, empty, but immaculate and with piles of firewood in place. We noticed that "Claire and Warren" had stayed there last night on their third day of the Way - we hoped we might bump into them at some point as they would only have a few hours gain on us. but we never did. Down to Beinglas campsite - also closed, but fresh water available. We passed a toff of the green wellies and Barbour sort, talking to an Irishman and commenting that Beinglas looked like a prison camp.

Rowchoich
ImageF4710285-723A-4035-A664-4108606B0236_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Morning Cobbler
Image800F06AC-D28D-411A-B4F6-BD63B02C6ED6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image3D227436-7B20-4306-AF36-1ADEABDE12A1_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageC669BD9D-8822-462D-B4A1-0249508CEC86_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image2576D76D-E480-4C61-A8A2-4FEB7DDB429A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image52660BE3-014E-4D60-A47F-07212D06194B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image1E2A4F06-52CA-44FC-88C3-8D940D124D15_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

I think these are the eastern Lui Hills
Image971A85F8-7664-4DC4-A909-38F8AB419233_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageF20F8C8A-BB38-4CBB-AB8B-A83CC68414D7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image6F9FD4B4-9EA7-4DBF-8F02-6555A72C2CE1_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Doune Bothy
Image6F2F5E86-55DF-4BDD-B74B-1B79A0A5AF17_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Today was the only day I'd really no idea where we'd pitch - last time I'd stayed at Beinglas, ut that wasn't an option. I didn't hold out any hope for a spot in the woods after Crianlarich, so reckoned we'd better find somewhere down Glen Falloch. But there are to a lot of spots due to tussocks or wet ground. The bridge after the Falls is currently out - there was a diversion marked which went halfway up the hillside - we chose to go across on stepping stones instead of more altitude. Past Derydarroch farm (which looks abandoned now) and Allison spotted a useable spot beside the river - not the most level in the world and reeking of sheep, but it would do for the night.

Image4B569FD8-5A09-4B85-91F8-FBD8D3C8F25D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image7C685114-A37A-4E95-8468-AA55EDAD084A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image6567DED5-9420-43CF-B60A-2F47620B0F7F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Day 4 - Derrydarroch to Victoria Bridge 29.5k
By this time we were into our stride of getting up - 7am and ready to go by 8 when it was just starting to be light enough to walk by. It had once again turned cold overnight - this was meant to be a day of heavy rain, but the forecast had worsened to suggest heavy snow and temperatures of -6 We headed off uphill, through the sheep creep and the tunnel and onto the open hillside south of Crianlarich. Bleak, sleet and mist. There was an inch or two of fresh snow underfoot as we entered the forest. I was right about camp spots - there's not much here. You could maybe pitch at the start of the trees, by the picnic bench although the ground looked very stony. There's a small spot deeper in the woods after the first bridge is crossed. Anyway, we weren't looking to camp, the day had just begun and we were hoping to be at Tyndrum for lunchtime so that we could get some real, hot food! Past Kirkton Farm and only a very short walk to the Strathfillan Wigwams. Along past Dalrigh, on very familiar ground and into Tyndrum for about 11.30. The Real Food Cafe was our objective and it didn't disappoint. I reflected that this was the first time I'd eaten in a restaurant since Covid restrictions started almost 2 years ago. managed to work out how to do the track and trace stuff and the ordering on line and we were rewarded with steaming plates of vegan haggis in peppercorn sauce and chips And a heavenly slice of banana and chocolate cake. We filled up our water supplies and met the owner on the way out who was very friendly and asked us to send some photos of our adventures.

Image6AAACF93-B7F0-4E9F-95EC-D65E79D3813C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageF2A568AF-B11B-47C9-862C-7D92DB136691_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Proper food!
Image80810991-E5CB-40AB-9E02-3902489467F2_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

After having eaten we headed across to the Green Welly to get a small bottle of whisky to augment our supplies then set off past the Auch Corbetts. The snow was falling thickly now and the path ahead was several inches deep. One Way Walker appeared to be ahead of us, but we never caught him up. The plan was to get to Inveroran or Victoria Bridge - again I had fond hopes of a warming pint by a fire if the Inn was open...A passing train hooted greetings at us, the driver waving out of his window. That was strangely cheering. The cone of Beinn Dorain stood up ahead of us, wreathed in swirling clouds, white and beautiful. Through the farmland, lots of cows standing about on the track and not budging much. At some points the puddles had become mini lochs and required some nifty work on stepping stones to negotiate. In good spirits we got to Bridge of Orchy - the snow had briefly stopped and we had made quite good time. But we did have the climb over Mam Carriagh to undertake before we could rest for the night... Into the trees and up the snowy track. The wind was strong, hitting against us, the clag was down, blurring the white shapes of the Black Mount. We descended past the Inn...all shut too. The camp spot beside the bridge was very wet with surface water, almost submerged, and didn't seem to be offering much protection against an ever strengthening wind. I suggested we head to the woods beside the car park at Victoria Bridge, where we have camped before. It was dark by the time we arrived, the sleet was lashing down and the wind was making pitching the tent highly unpleasant. As a precaution against getting the sleeping bag wet, I'd detached the inner prior to packing away the tent that morning and it was difficult trying to re-attach it with frozen fingers before we could retire inside the comfort of our shelter. I was a bit sweary.

Leaving Tyndrum
ImageBBFF64AC-DA0E-4F07-9366-9F7E1926555A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image3DD0C25D-4EAF-4BAC-A363-40947F6F7AAF_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Impromptu shower opportunity
ImageFD0C5EC2-29EB-48BB-9DAA-AC5773D6B98F_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Beinn Dorain
Image622A515A-1ED6-45F1-B087-469B190BDDA3_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image4A5A4CB1-698C-4A74-B518-3415181684B9_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageD934F0DD-2085-4D3D-9162-2EB0D2A05AFE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image22ADCC89-8775-4401-976B-D4C4C48FF860_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Descent into Inveroran
ImageBE9E14F7-A3B0-4117-A9A4-A01EFF0E4C96_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Once we got the tent pitched we had our tea and checked the weather. Two days of high winds and heavy snow. That was going to be quite a challenge...We had Rannoch Moor to cross, then the Devils's Staircase. I lay awake much of the night wondering if we'd be able to complete the walk. Not that I'd have got much sleep anyway given the lashing rain which turned to snow at some point before dawn.

Day 5 - Victoria Bridge to Kinlochleven 32k
Today was Allison's *significant birthday* and it was to prove the hardest day of our trip. Poking our heads out of the tent it didn't seem that there had been much snow, but the trees had shielded us from it and once we walked down to Forest Lodge, everything was very white and Christmassy. I knew we needed to make good time today - we did have one "spare"day in our schedule, but if the forecast of another 2 days of heavy snow was to be believed, we might not be able to make our finish point. At first it was very picturesque walking along the untrodden track, looking at stags up on the hillside and the thickly rimed tree branches. But the snow was steadily deepening. We stopped to put gaiters on. It was now six inches deep or more - fresh powdery snow. Nothing for it but to break trail. We were in a world of white, rising by about 250m from our start elevation. I tried to go into machine mode - walk 350 double paces (around half a km) stop for a minute then do another 350 double strides. Allison was keeping up very well but it was exhausting work, especially those sections that went uphill. And it went on...10 miles or thereabouts of soft snow.

Forest Lodge
ImageAB4E356D-5D8D-4551-8F06-340EC147564B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image5E335EEC-1388-4AF8-B4AA-EAC65330837D_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageEEEB5A41-01A5-4C73-A9ED-F9814FFA4B86_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageB2CC3995-6A76-4EA2-ADB3-040F738DBA03_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image6C413724-38BE-4D69-8A1F-6633487A08D7_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

After we'd reached the high point cairn things got a bit easier in the sense that we were descending through snow rather than climbing up through it. And we were nearing Glencoe Mountain Ski Centre. Unexpectedly the mist began to clear a bit and we picked up a set of footprints - someone had come along a bit of the way on skis by the look of it. That was wonderfully uplifting and it made the descent to the A82 much more pleasant. The Ski Centre was quite busy and there were loads of people out taking pictures. We crossed the road and continued the short section the Kingshouse Hotel feeling relieved that we'd got this far, and in good time of 4 hours in those conditions. I'd intended to call into The Way Inn for lunch - they offered a couple of vegan options on their menu. However, that too was closed. We were advised to head into the main restaurant, but that didn't list any vegan options nor was it the sort of place we were dressed for. So a bit deflated we went back outside and sat on a boulder beyond the hotel eating the last of our peanut butter sandwiches. Good views of the Buachaille however :lol:

ImageIMG_2748 by Al, on Flickr

Image52861842-9622-491F-BC7B-F391A128D031_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image727AB202-7416-4680-B074-A996603D4C02_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Kingshouse
Image1AC3DD0A-89A1-4019-84ED-38B24C780C90_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

From here it's meant to be 14k into Kinlochleven. Although the snow was deep, deeper than we'd encountered crossing Rannoch Moor at times, there were footprints to follow. Yay. We wondered if these might be the elusive Claire and Warren's (if so, thank you, we appreciated the help a great deal). Round the side of Beinn a'Chrulaiste to Altnafeadh wasn't too bad, then we started up the stairway. I'd joked that it must have been a very benign devil that made this staircase when I did The Way previously, but it was a lot more challenging in deep snow. But hey - the sun was in evidence, we had a trodden path to follow and we were making good time. Eventually we reached the top, offering some views across to the Mamores and Blackwater reservoir. Ah the worst is over - we could now look forward to a nice descent into Kinlochleven. On the way down we met a squad of guys kitted out with full winter gear doing some kind of outward bound week. Great I said to the leader, you'll have left a great trail to Kinlochleven. Unfortunately they'd come over the hillside rather than taking the track, so that wasn't any help. But we did have Claire & Warren's footprints to keep us sane. God it is a long way into Kinlochleven from here. Switchbacks, more ups, it just goes on and on. A crescent moon appeared in the sky, the air got colder as evening approached and we were still slogan down the path to Kinlochleven. Allison was really tired, at the point where reasoning starts to come apart. At last we were in the town - having passed by Blackwater Campsite (also shut - although we could possibly have just pitched on their grass and got away with it). We had a detour to the Co-op to pick up something to eat tomorrow lunchtime. No birthday cakes though - Allison had to make do with an apple pie :lol: Having collected a few things we continued on to the path into the woods at the start of the Sgurr Eilde Mor track where I'd camped a few weeks back. Finding a suitable, if tree-rooty spot we pitched and set about eating.

Image781A56CA-B384-45D1-BD0B-2FC29FD86D15_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image2F4772F0-965D-4C4F-8681-1EB4771A23AA_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageDEF1D0CE-CFF3-479D-A7D5-99018ECEFAAB by Al, on Flickr

Image6E72592C-01EA-4E05-B6F0-8DD6A6DD83B5 by Al, on Flickr

Image4F6EC915-F7FB-4B93-BFFA-3ED50AF379D4_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

It's quite strange that neither of us have felt especially hungry on this trip - so having extra rations in the form of apple pie after our Huel and even chocolate cookies was a bit weird. We settled down for another rainy night, knowing this would be our last camping night of the trip.

Day 6 - Kinlochleven to Fort William 25km
Rainy overnight, packed up the tent from amidst the leaves of he forest floor and set off in the smirr through the streets of Fort William. This is probably my least favourite section of the Way - it's familiar from climbing the hills on either side of the Lairig Mor and the long straight into Ft William itself is quite dull after all that's gone before. Much of yesterday's snow had gone, leaving overflowing streams, slush and a path that was more like a riverbed in places. Mist was sitting on top of the hills lending all a grey and soggy feel. We passed the ruined buildings at Lairigmor and continued along til we turned the corner and started to head north through the sparse woodland. There are quite a few ups and downs on this part. Paused for lunch after Blarney's Chaorainn. From then on it was a mix of sunny spells and sleet til we finally neared Ft William. We were passed, at different times, by several old beardy men on mountain bikes and one who looked about 90, running. We finally hit pavement and laboured into town, past the "old" end of the way and right to the other end of the high street to the new finish point with the seated statue rubbing his feet. And that was it done!

Image916DFBDE-50D2-498D-9E6F-820408D14E5B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageB82C051C-ED55-4B38-9D63-B131D9068BAE_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image8DD2A925-57F1-4538-B460-F764173F3677_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageDC1DA668-FFFA-4D0D-8212-CC5AE0D83CF1_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

ImageF5FC6470-B640-4086-A90B-58B7873BB79E_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Image0DE6CE89-7178-42D8-B71F-84D78EAC1EE6 by Al, on Flickr

Image5A21A6F2-7EBE-46D3-8EAC-8269A0BD4CB0 by Al, on Flickr

We had booked into the adjacent Travelodge for the night and took advantage of the Black Isle Bar beside it, which serves excellent pizza and even better beers. Maybe had a couple too many :lol: Next morning we wandered through a completely deserted High Street and caught the 11.40 train back to Glasgow. After a rainy start it turned into a beautiful day, and that's such a scenic line down by Loch Trieg and over Rannoch Moor. Once we were at Bridge of Orchy we played spot the bits of the Way we'd been on.

So Allison's long anticipated adventure is over, we managed the Way in winter - and had at least a couple of proper wintery days to give some sense of justification for that. It would have been anticlimactic to have met with no snow or winter weather. Did we pack right? - well yes, the only items we took but didn't use were the crampons, and I really wouldn't like to have left them behind. Did we leave out any essentials - no, not really. Managed to avoid having a damp sleeping bag, which was a big plus. And pleased to find that we could cart about six day's food too.

Kit list (for those interested in such things)
Osprey Argon 70l rucksack (me) and Osprey Ariel 65l one (her)
Hilleberg Nammatj 2 with ground sheet removed.
Feathered Friends Penguin sleeping bag, rated 20F
Thermarest xTherm mats
Jetboil and 3 gas small gas canisters (only used 1.5)
Food - 6 days x 2 of Huel Hot & Savoury (various flavours) 2 scoops per person per day
- 6 days of Great British Porridge Co chocolate instant porridge, 1 scoop per person + 1 square of dark chocolate pp
- 4 days of peanut butter/tomato salad sandwiches (Warburton thins) 1 thin per person/day
- Trek bars - 6 + 3 each I liked he new Millionaire's Shortbread variety
- Manner Wien wafer biscuit x 10 (one split between us with a square of chocolate at breakfast and dinner)
- 12 small bags of crisps
- 50ml whisky (various malts) per person per night
Crampons - Grivel G10s and Katoola Steels (unused)
Walking poles
Clothing - 1 belay jacket type thing each. 3 pairs gloves each (varying thicknesses) Change of base layer
Wearing - Me - Paramo Cascade Trousers, Paramo Alta iii Jacket, Paramo base layer Arcteryx gilet, buff beanie, Sealskin waterproof hat, Dexshell waterproof socks (supplemented with goretex liners when the going wet), Scarpa Maverick GTX boots
- Her - Paramo Cascade trousers, Paramo Jacket, base layer, warmer overlayer, Dexshell socks, Wills vegetarian boots, buff beanie and waterproof hat
2 headtorches each. Satmap Active 12 GPS (more for tracking progress than getting lost) 1 small, 1 large power pack for recharging the GPS and phones. Olympus Tough 5 camera. Notebook. Tolstoy's Short Stories.
2litres of water in bladders plus 4 x 500ml plastic bottles of water sometimes filled, sometimes empty.
weaselmaster
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Re: Walking the Way in Winter

Postby Low Level Walker » Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:44 am

Congratulations to you both :clap: . A fantastic achievement at that time of year in they conditions.

I keep reading about this Huel dehydrated food. I must admit it's a new one to myself, tempted to try for myself again.

That was a great read, thanks for posting and well done both of you again.
Low Level Walker
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Re: Walking the Way in Winter

Postby weaselmaster » Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:31 pm

Low Level Walker wrote:Congratulations to you both :clap: . A fantastic achievement at that time of year in they conditions.

I keep reading about this Huel dehydrated food. I must admit it's a new one to myself, tempted to try for myself again.

That was a great read, thanks for posting and well done both of you again.


Cheers
It is the "Hot & Savoury" version of Huel, the ordinary powder stuff would be rubbish for taking away. I just find it really easy to use when away now
weaselmaster
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Posts: 2429
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Location: Greenock

Re: Walking the Way in Winter

Postby Alteknacker » Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:16 am

Well done in those conditions in the last days.

A great read!
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Alteknacker
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Re: Walking the Way in Winter

Postby Bonzo » Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:02 pm

Really enjoyed that. Well done!
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Bonzo
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15 people think this report is great.
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