Cape Wrath trail 2014: video log, reflections and FAQ

[Portboy]

Hi Peter, really enjoyed your walk report. Take my hat off to you guys who can put these reports and videos together. I can do the walking but I always have my head down, eyes couple of metres ahead avoiding "slips & trips".
I started it twice this year, 1st time getting as far as Barrisdale Glen where I had to get another walker taken out by helicopter (Cape Wrath Trail Forum - Looking for Walking Partner) but managed to complete it 2nd attempt on the 27th June.
Always interesting how we all tackle these long distance routes! I put food parcels in place at Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe & Inchnadamph thus allowing me to carry only four days food at a time. The longest day I had was around 30 miles but I did have some short days also, walking from bothy to hostel to bothy as I'm reluctant to use a tent and maybe having to carry it wet all next day.
The route I used was:

Fort William - A'Chuil Bothy
A'Chuil Bothy - Barrisdale Bothy
Barrisdale Bothy - Shelter Hut NN 940 096 (hut can accommodate two people, comfortable night on the floor)
Shelter Hut - Morvich Campsite (had to pitch tent here as Kintail Lodge Bunkhouse was full)
Morvich Campsite - Camas Luinie Bothy Hostel (fantastic place, owner looks after you so well)
Camas Luinie - Achnashellach Hostel
Achnashellach Hostel - Kinlochewe Bunkhouse
Kinlochewe Bunkhouse - Shenavall Bothy
Shenavall Bothy - Knockdamph Bothy
Knockdamph Bothy - Inchnadamph (pitched tent as hostel was full)
Inchnadamph - Glendhu Bothy
Glendhu Bothy - Loch Stack Lodge (pitched tent nearby)
Loch Stack Lodge - Rhiconich (pitched tent below the public toilet)
Rhiconich - Sandwood Bay (pitched tent in the bay)
Sandwood Bay - Cape Wrath (stayed in Kervaig Bothy)

I was disappointed with the Rhiconich Hotel where I took an American walker for a meal. I didn't think they wanted our custom and I certainly won't use it next year.
I hope to walk from Cape Wrath lighthouse to Mull of Galloway lighthouse in 2015.

[ramblingpete]

Enjoyed watching that and the comprehensive report. Don't know that I could manage that all in one go with my dodgy knees. Might do it in bits one of these years.

Thanks for the tips and hints - very useful

[Dunni]

Hi Peter,

enjoyed your report and the helpful tips for the trip! I´m planning the CWT for next May and hope, I share your experience with weather and midges ... Although I don´t have that much time on my hands, I need to tackle the lot in not more than 18 days. Puh!
Thanks a lot for posting!
Dunni

[StevenF]

Great report! Liked the gear information and was surprised by the food information (1800 calories? wtf?).

Each year, blessed with an understanding wife, I go away for around 10 days walking by myself - to allow my antisocial essence recovery time from the enjoyable but full-on experience of having three children under 13.
This year I had gone both super-part time and freelance, so could create the space of the 22 days I thought I needed to travel up, and back and give my self a chance of doing the whole trail in one go.

Funny how I see many people in this situation (which is also my situation). Last year I received 5 days off, this year 6! Being 34 now it seems that when I'm 50 I'll be entitled to 22 days as well

[gammy leg walker]

Many many thanks for post I loved your video from start to finish

[mountainstar]

As one who has done it "nearly twice" (Ullapool to CW next May to make it 2) I must say I really enjoyed the report and video.
You were so lucky with the weather as well.
I hope you've cleaned the lens of that dead fly in the spiders web by now!

[petert847]

Thanks mountainstar, annoying to get back and find the bug in the lens, can edit it off the photos but not the video sadly... - have a new phone now. I'm going to do the Skye trail next year inspired by your brilliant report - so no doubt I'll be punished for such good weather on cwt by foul weather in Skye.

[dessie]

Peter,

Thanks for the brilliant trip video and your commentary, it was real and personal and gave a great insight into the trail. I live in Canada and am planning to spend mid-April till mid-June hiking in England and Scotland, Skye is one Trail and this is the other I am hoping to undertake. Your record is very very helpful and does not sugar coat the undertaking!!

Cheers

Des

ps I'm retired so the task will be quite a challenge.....

[petert847]

Dessie,
Great plan - Im planning to do the skye trail in May some point between 6-18th so might see you there! You'll have a great time if you get a bit of luck with the weather...
Best
Peter

[llamb57]

Really enjoyed your report.
Going to have another try in June 2016 with my son. Cant wait.