My Cape Wrath Trail Kit Review - what was in my pack and would I take it again?
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Overall I was pleased with my kit choices. I'll cover the clothing I wore, my Hoka Boots and my Atom Fanny Pack in a separate video. I'd be interested to hear your comments and things you would change or think I should consider. So please feel free get involved and contribute to the discussion.
My lighterpack listing - lighterpack.co...
Think I just chatted to you on the way up to castlerigg stonees .. funny 10 mins later it suddenly clicked! As used this vid as ref for my kit setup. Nice to speak to you! Colin
Cheers Colin. It was nice to speak to you also. It's a small world! I hope you got pitched up okay last night and that your set up has managed to keep you warm and dry. It doesn't look like a day for the tops!
So much good information here. Yep, the X-Mid is a great tent. It served me well on the Pennine Way, Wainwright C2C and Southern Upland Way. Absolutely agree with you about the EXPED Synmat HL M. I have a newer version than yours (the "mummy" shaped one) that I've had for some years now. Superb mat and I can't understand why it isn't more popular than the Thermarest range (which IMHO are much inferior).
I also have the Mountain Hardware "Ghost Whisperer", which is an awesome jacket, but MUST be kept dry. That's why, like you, I take a fleece on my Scottish LDWs, because even when wet, it insulates, but also is quick to dry out.
I pretty much have the same kit ideas as you, but different manufacturers. I have a Criterion Quantum 350 down bag, which is fantastic.
I've moved away from too many separate sealed bags and now line my rucksack with a good quality bin bag and shove all the dry stuff in there. I put my wet tent in the bottom zipped compartment. It seems to work well and means that setting up and also breaking camp is pretty quick.
I love your calm approach and matter-of-fact presentation. Best "real" hiking videos on YT. 👍. ATB. Neil
Great video, good to see you have your kit pretty much dialled in. Looking forward to going back and watching the whole series of the CWT which I will be attempting next winter.
Thanks Bob, good luck with trying the trail in the winter! I'd imagine your kit list will look quite different. The only thing I would have added to mine would have been a bothy shelter to allow you to take proper breaks, rest, refuel and assess your plan/route on the go. It's often exposed and they're were times I didn't stop when I probably should have. Also your footwear choice will be critical. I'm going to do a short video just on that, so watch this space 👍
@@sniperhikes3716 That is how much I hate the midges!! Also to be fair I have spent a number of winters in Scotland, it's where I completed my Winter Mountain leader course. That said I anticipate as the route is quite low there may not be much snow which will be a shame as I prefer snowshoes to bogs. I have aways wondered if snowshoes would work over bogs (not enough to try yet). Boots wise I am planning to use Scarpa Marmalade as they will take a crampon, also I have tried trail runners and lighter boots but never found a pair that work for me on long hard trips. Otherwise gear will be similar except a geodesic single skin mountain tent (lightwave S15) and a slightly warmer sleeping bag. I am also experimenting with a Paramo Jacket to alleviate 'wet gear on wet gear off ' fun. Will take a very lightweight outer when in driving rain. Down is limited to my sleeping bag and booties, otherwise synthetic is best for Scottish winter conditions for me. My main issue is rations, may have as much as 7 days on me. Still need to check what will be open for food parcel receipt. Plan is to go slow and enjoy, i am retired so nothing to rush back for, and the days are much shorter (having said that I always go faster and further than planned).
@@bobh4981 good stuff Bob, you sound well skilled and prepared 👍 in Estonia they use something that looks very similar to snow shoes (indeed they might well be) for bog walking. But it's a very flat country and we have bog that isn't always flat lol.
Hi. Really enjoyed the series and kit reviews. Informative and enjoyable. I too have Hoka,s - Speedgoat and Kaha's. The only thing I don't like about either are they are poor on wet grassy slopes.. Thanks for sharing - look forward to the next trip. Jim
Hi Jim, thanks for your comment. I just described them to Ray as like having wide flat tyres on a rear wheal drive car, brilliant in the dry, but squirelly in the wet lol. Cheers
Squirrely.. nice term. They are my go to summer boots and I do nikwax them regularly. Learned a lot from your CWT films. 👍
Great job. Thank you. I also have the Dan Durston tent. Love it. Love your idea for river crossing shoes.
I'm trying to prepare for long distance wet weather walking in the UK Hills.
1. Footwear for the 3 seasons? High top leather boots or trail runners or synthetic boots? I read you'd go back to your moabs. Do you just resign yourself to wet feet on trails like the Cape Wrath?
2. You said you wouldn't take your gaiters again. Wouldn't gaiters (and your waterproof trousers) keep your feet dry if coupled with high top leather boots?
3. If one preferred trail runners or synthetic boots, then would waterproof trousers take the place of gaiters in preventing debris falling into your boots and helping you manage Bracken etc?
As you can see, I'm in a bit of a rabbit hole. I've done many 2 or 3 day hikes but not long thru hikes and not sure about wet feet for days on end.
Any advice would be welcome.
Hi Imran, you've gone down the footwear rabbit hole right enough lol. There are so many variables ... weather, time of year, terrain, duration of your hike, pack weight etc etc. The bottom line for this hike (the CWT over 2 wks, challenging terrain, light pack-weight in May) is that you are unlikely to be able to keep your feet dry. That might not be a problem over 3+ days but over 2 weeks it becomes a major issue. If you accept that your feet will get wet then gaiters become redundant. Waterproof trousers offer all the protection you need. I hope this helps. Happy hiking, Snipes
Thank you. A rabbit hole indeed. Waterproof socks, vapour barriers...in the end, I realise I have to see what works for me. If you don't mind, what would you do in the winter months when prolonged wet and cold feet could be unbearable and dangerous???
Hi Imran, I'm going to assume you are taking about multi-day hiking rather than anything technical requiring crampons, ice axe etc). Recently I've been favouring Army Surplus Altberg Defenders paired with Sealskin Socks. That way, even if they eventually soak through I find that my feet stay warm. I feel that winter conditions favour a stiffer sole, better toe protection and ankle support. Also, if in Scotland I try to plan it so that I can make use of a bothy and get a fire going to dry things out. Cheers Snipes
Cheers. I'm in the Reserves (although nearing retirement)
and I can swear by the altbergs. They have started to issue sealskinz but I have no experience of them...
@@trytheoutdoors i was wondering abt waterproof socks plus moab vent combo..i have some experience with sealskinz socks, and its my choice for cold weather hikes.. however..i dont think 2 weeks in them is a good idea :))
I know I'm late to the party but this is an excellent video. I plan on doing the CWT in May this year. Still not sure if I will go the boot/trail runner direction, but largely know what i am brining otherwise. You have your gear really dialled in here. Very useful information in this video and thank the time you put into making it. Oh, by the way, I prefer "odds and sods" over 'diddy bag' (very American!) Cheers
Hi Stirfry, thanks for you're kind words. I think it's all but impossible to keep your feet dry for the duration of this trail. If I was doing it again I'd definitely do it in Trail Runners (assuming you don't need the ankle support). Whatever you decide I wouldn't choose a waterproof or gortex boot/shoe. Have a great trip, it's an awesome trail.
Which shoes did u choose after all?
Hi, I don't normally watch gear videos but you were excellent and a great talker.
Its amazing how gear has evolved over the years andyou put a lot of thought in achieving a successful trip. All my gear got a bit old and I have updated it over the last 18 months.
I havn't done a long trip for a few years but its always on my mind.
Thanks for the tips and all the best.
👍🌄⛺
Thanks Dave, I really appreciate the feedback. You're right, the changes in gear over recent years is staggering. That said I managed to keep the weight down by not packing my fears and not taking things (which is the lightest kit of all along side knowledge). Using lighterpack was key to that. There's something very different about a long trip so would recommend getting one in the diary 👍 if you have any questions just ask. Cheers.
Great video...very interesting, informative and helpful. Thanks for posting. The sound was a bit muted but easily remediable...I just turned the volume up on my computer! Cheers.
Thanks Ken, glad you found it useful. Are you going to give the CWT a go?
@@sniperhikes3716 I'd like to but at 67 years of age and with arthritis popping up all over the place I doubt it. :-(
Gotcha, it's important to keep doing what you can though 👍
@@sniperhikes3716 Entirely agree. I shall still go multiday backpacking but not so extreme! :-)
great review and a great series. I think I will make a luxury investment in the Montane Fireball booties 😎
I'll certainly take them again when I go back. Down might be lighter but I'm not convinced you'd be able to keep them dry. They also have a sole (of sorts) that means you can walk about in them in bothies or when its dry underfoot
Sorry,have you also used permethrin on your sleeping clothes ,tent and sleeping bag?
Thank you..
i will have a difficult choice which tent i should be bringing..lanshan 2 pro or fjalraven abisko lite 1 or helm 1 compact, each have advantages and disatvantages.. i generally dont feel safe in a light trekking pole tent in exposed areas.
btw great music at the end of the video..
Morning, all those options would work. Just know their limitations and factor that into your choice of camp spots. If in doubt then the Abisko or Helm are going to be able to deal with pretty much anything that the CWT can throw at you. I think trekking poles are a necessity on this trail which meant I favoured a pole tent. I was careful with pitch selections and was able to save tent weight/pack size. Don't forget that you can also make use of several Bothies as well.
Thank you..I m trying myself and gear on whw, but ultimately cwt is my goal. That is no easy, and I think anyone who done cwt - made a great achievement.
Great stuff and well done again. How do you find the Hokas, still thinking about trying them myself. Atb
Hi Ray, they are a boot I want to love. They are good but I'm not sure I'd take then again on something like the CWT. To put that in perspective. For years I wore Salomon GTX 4s. I have wide 9.5 uk feet and got away with size 10s. I got 10.5 uk Hokas. They are light and super comfy out of the box, minimal drop and have that wonderful wide toe box. I think they would be great for a multi day hike where you've a fair chance of keeping your feet dry (which is how I would rate the Salomons. They were okay in the wet but when they eventually became saturated they took days to dry out. I have used non goretex trail runners and actually have a pair of the Altra Lone Peak 4.0's in the man cave. Like the Hoka's the big wide soles are like wide slick types on a rear wheel drive car. Great in the dry, but a bit squirelly in the wet. Bottom line is I'm temped to dig out my Merrell Moab Ventilators. Otherwise it's a great excuse for a new pair of non waterproof trail runners . I hope that helps lol
Hmm..so you wouldn't recommend goretex boots for summer trip?..
great video and review. Glad you rate the tent, have just bought one 2nd hand. Any issue with ticks?
Cheers Geezer, its 'a great tent, there are a couple of very minor tweaks and things I'd bear in mind but I'll do a separate vid cover them
No ticks but the Italian lad said he got a couple sunbathing on the first day. I treated everything with Permethrin which probably helped
@@sniperhikes3716 How did you apply the permethrin? Did you use the Life Systems spray?
@@geezer8484 I've got one that you wash in but the Sawyer Spray is easier. Works for 6 months or 6 washes. Non toxic to us just keep it away from cats until it's dried in 👍
Great film. What brand are those river-crossing shoes?
Hi Chris they are vivobearfoot ultra 2s. They aren't cheap but the are excellent and I've had mine for years. I'm not sure if they do that model any more but they certainly come with my recommendation 👍
Useful video as I'm attempoting the CWT in April this year. Just windering what size groundsheet you used with the Durston X-Mid 1p ?
Cheers Richard, you'll love it, definitely type two fun at that time of the year 👍 I used the lux tyvek double ground sheet from backpackinglight
@@sniperhikes3716 Great - thanks for the info, it's now on order!
Defintely agree about type 2 fun
If I was to use gas canisters as a fuel, would that mean that resupplying them could be an issue? Unless I send them by post to some locations ahead of me? Even though I like alco stoves I just can't be bothered with them I think..
Gas is fine. You might need a 200ml one and can resupply at Ullapool 👍
Hm..I drink a lot of hot water n tea,and definitely it will take me 1.5 months to finish the trail..so might need a bit more gas..
Hi Sniper, Great video - really useful to see what didn't work, as well as what did.
Can you let us now about the food that you took, or even make a short video about it. The lighterpack link you posted shows only 500g per day , and the 500 ml of alcohol fuel lasted 10 days. I use a lot more fuel and would be half starved on that little food :)
Hi Graeme, sorry for not replying but life outside of RUclips meant i haven been online and posting for a while. I supplemented with 'junk' and proper food wherever I could and the alcohol burner was super efficient. That said I still lost weight (but could afford to do so!). In summary I had dry cereal in the mornings and a coffee. lunch was either snacks or wraps with tuna packets (sometimes noodles) then the max cal expedition meals at night and come chocolate. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment
Hi Sniper - Any chance you could put the link to the water bottle clip you mentioned? I cant find it anywhere?
Will do. Molle water bottle clip 👍
m.alibaba.com/pla_detail.html?mark=google_shopping&biz=pla_wap&keyword=Water+Bottle+Clip&product_id=62114530160&cid=2125&pcate=2125&language=en&pcy=gb&device_type=wap&channelType=google¤cy=GBP&src=sem_ggl&from=sem_ggl&cmpgn=12268612030&adgrp=118867603913&fditm=&tgt=pla-1167377917675&locintrst=&locphyscl=9046985&mtchtyp=&ntwrk=u&device=m&dvcmdl=&creative=496659321975&plcmnt=&plcmntcat=&p1=&p2=&aceid=&position=&localKeyword=&pla_prdid=62114530160_testTitleB2B&pla_country=GB&pla_lang=en&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq8j9pb3m8wIVi-3tCh1ePgvEEAQYASABEgIUIfD_BwE
How was the situation with ticks and midges on that trip?..
No problem for me with either. I did treat my clothes before going and it was a bit early for the midge. Other hiker mentioned ticks so they were about
Was it permethrin that you treated your clothes with?
Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent - the yellow spray on one
Is your mic broken? Can barely hear a thing.
Hi Jon, sorry you're unable to hear it well. I don't use an external mic but chose a sheltered spot. Yours is the only comment I have about the sound issues on this one? It you have any specific questions feel free to ask. Cheers Snipes