The west Highland Way, Scotland, Fort Willians

The west Highland way it has been a different experience. It is a mix between Pacific crest trail and camino de Santiago. You don’t have those 100 miles stretch; you pass ones a day by a small local pub. You have in the other hand those moments of solitude and wilderness of the PCT. You can stay in hostels or do like me and carry your shelter. I believe that in Scotland you can camp anywhere, you can cross private property...it is quite relax country with all this. Be aware of midges, small mosquitos, in summer time. I suffered quite a lot with this. You have water  kind of everywhere, it looks pristine but I always filter it, I just think in the all the sheep’s and pesticides, The last day you can climb the highest pick in the United Kingdom, Ben Nevis, over 1000m, a decided to skip it as it was a very foggy day and my knee need some rest to rest the GR20 in 3 days in Corsica!

Ben Nevis from google..

If you are thinking in do it the west highland way keep in mind the weather, rains a lot , I imagine like in the AT, here there is not much cover, there is not much trees and the floor seems like always wet, some days I found quite difficult to find a place to camp that is not soaked. All this rain and mist create a surreal atmosphere, full of mystery, legends. You can imagine why so many stories of monsters and witches   show up here. Walk in the mist in the forest around ruins of old houses and castles is something quite creepy. Regarding gear I recommend fully waterproof, I had trousers and jackets, pack cover and pack liner. I did it with a tarpent contrail and down sleeping bag 20 F Zpacks, I had stove, I like to wake up and have my coffee and do a hot dinner at night, during the day better do lunch in a pub.

Mist in Scotland ( google pic ) 

I found this trail crossing to much road or walking with the close noise of cars, you have some moments where you follow a trail in the middle of nowhere but you would come back to the road, it is a mix. The good thing is you always can have a good pint of local beer and taste the traditional dishes of Scotland. Scotland is very outdoors orientated; I think is a kind of Washington or Colorado where people likes the outdoors.

I would recommend hiking with a guide book, just to cover the basics, and an historic book. Here in Scotland there are so many stories about clan wars. It put you in the situation of the scenery in how the people used to leave in this difficult remote area.

I took back from fort Williams the scenic train (it is actually the normal train)  to Glasgow. If you have some more time in Scotland I will recommend going a little bit norths into the Isle of Skye, This is a beautiful place to hike, hiking heaven and you can reach it also by a scenic train. In Scotland there is a few more long trails. Reading about I saw the entry from the guy from Zpacks doing a coast to coast without trail, you suppose to find your way, using trails or cross-country, I found it very interesting, could be a good alternative. Before leaving Scotland pay a visit into the classic lake Ness Monster  ( loch Ness ) and spend time in Edinburgh, historic and vibrant city.

Isle of Skye , Scotland

PCT Bear canister loan program

I would like to say thanks to the PCT organization that offered me the possibility of  use their bear canister through their bear canister loan program.  It is something else to don't worry about. For all that people that doesn't know what is a bear canister, we don't have those in Europe, it is a strong and heavy container where you can store your food away from any trampy bear. Those are required in certain national parks with thieve bears problem where handling the food from the threes is not enough.

Now I just need to learn how to hide the canister from the bears..............

                

The rehabilitation of my knee at this point is not looking good, I still have 3 moths to go but I can not see much improvement at this moment even when I am doing daily exercises . I hope everything goes well.....been positive

Regarding gear wise, I have the 90 % done, it would be small changes but I have everything.It is about bricolage and personalise few items. Now setting up smartphone with some travel applications.

Resupply strategy - Fucking disaster I am. Still I have not decided anything. Where to send the maps, or should I print them on the trail?? Could I send a parcel from UK to an USA general PO?? Sierra strategy, no yet......... San Diego to Campo, no yet. General food resupply strategy, maybe just a draft. Still a lot to think about 

Permits - still I have to apply for all of them.......( fire permit California, entry in Canada, PCT  permit )

Still 3 moths to go so still plenty time...