Highland Backpacking

Helspawn

04/05/2001 at 21:33

Myself and a friend are considering a two week foray into the Highlands from June 16th. Other than the obvious knowledge gained from maps we do not know where we might gain necessary supplies, in particular replacement fuel for the stove I'm considering purchasing. We've been looking at the north/north-west Highlands, namely Affric, Torridon, and the area around Loch Maree.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

EWOB.

Jon Doran

05/05/2001 at 09:37

What type of stove are you going for? You'll be able to find liquid fuel reasonably easily - they have cars and things up there - but gas canisters might be more problematic.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Helspawn

05/05/2001 at 14:42

Thinking of getting either an MSR Whisperlite I600 or the Coleman Alpine Stove CPS. Indecision is a big factor and I might just stick to the trusty ole Trangia.

tony mcgarley

05/05/2001 at 21:30

apart from what Jon said above, there are numerous variations on how to get re-supplies, depending on what mode of transport you use to get there (public or private), and also whether your route is circular or linear.

in the past i have forwarded supplies 'poste restante', whereby you pick up your supplies at a post office, freeing you of the need to carry too heavy a pack. for that to work you NEED a predetermined route.

i have also driven in close proximity of a chosen route and stashed and/or buried supplies that i pick up during the walk.

come to think of it, i've used loads of different methods to gain supplies, all with the same thing in mind:- travelling light(er).

tell me a bit more about your transport/route itinerary and i'll try to give you some more ideas.

Helspawn

06/05/2001 at 17:01

Well we'll be getting to the Highlands via train or plane to Inverness and thence by public transport to Cannich, Gairloch, or wherever we decide to base. Ideally we wanna be spending atleast three or four days away from 'civilisation', getting as wild as possible (not with the livestock of course...). As we have yet to decide on a destination our itinerary is pretty loose at the mo. Our last trek in AUgust, to the Lakes we did not plot ourselves a route, but then the Highlands are somewhat more unpredictable and less accessable. Mind, I like the idea you put forward of 'poste restante'.
Travelling light is a relative term with our limiteds funds; we own a pair of 90litre+ ruckies that we usually fill pretty easily.

Jon Doran

06/05/2001 at 20:15

Of course you should bear in mind that the whole foot and mouth thing may still be active in mid-June, which could complicate any pre-planned route.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

tony mcgarley

06/05/2001 at 20:39

i haven't used the 'poste restante' service for a few years now, but found it really useful when i did. it's a free service, you just pay for postage. remember to take some ID with you. the post office will tell you about it.
unfortunately, you are not allowed to send fuel via it.
i sent food parcels ahead of me (and sometimes socks & undies if i was feeling extravagent!) which cut out the kilo per day of food that i base a long backpack on.
i've also sent home used and no longer needed kit to lighten the load even more.

there are lots of variations on this theme, but they almost always work on the principal that you have a pre-determined route, which has often gone against my 'go where the mood takes me' attitude.

have a nice time anyway.

neil rich

06/05/2001 at 21:56

With a 90l rucsac and a 4 day trip you should have no problem carrying everything that you need. no need for food drops, take dried food, there's plenty of water!
I did the english coast to coast solo and carried a full ten days worth of dried food. ( ok it started out as a very full pack but the total independance was nice.)
If you're going to do some kind of route in scotland rather than peak bagging you can get away with a bit of weight in your packs as the old drove roads and stalkers paths are constructed at a very comfortable gradient in the main with very few hard uphill bits

neil rich

06/05/2001 at 22:10

Although theres not a lot of public transport up there, what there is is pretty reliable, so if you decided on one base you could stash all your supplies there, at pub, YH or whatever, and then do 3/4 day circular walks going back to re-stock or do 3/4 day linear walks getting the train/bus/postvan/hitch back to base.

ben brockway

23/07/2001 at 13:16

Epigas screw attatchment gas cartridges, coleman fuel and meths available from Inverness (Tiso and Clive Rowlands), Ullapool (Mountain Man(?)), Kinlochewe (MORU - opposite the pub in the old petrol station). If you want to go a bit lighter on a budget try the MSR Pocket Rocket, £25and fits epigas etc cannisters. Can't remember if there is any gas available in Gairloch. Hitching generally easier in Scotland, especially with big packs - never had a problem getting a lift before up there. Have fun!

Your say

Terms and Conditions | Code of Conduct

Email me when a response is made?

Shopping

Most popular

Competitions

Promotions