Since my first post which I left in drafts for ages. Idiot. We have finished booking our accommodation. We had booked for Tuesday and Wednesday night but have now added a stay at the Milarrochy camping and caravan site and a stay at the Fort William Backpackers hostel at the finish.
My two partners in crime are getting themselves in shape and purchasing there chosen gear.
Chris has bought a Lanshan 2 Pro which is the same tent that Luke and I are planning to take. He has also bought some Merrell walking shoes which he used a machine to stretch as they were a little narrow.
Luke has bought an atom backpack and some frog togs along with a few other bits of kit to save weight.
I have added an aeropress as I love coffee but may decide not to take it as it is a bit of a luxury item.
I have always packed too heavy, Mostly because I have loads of kit and add to many extras.
I have also added some merino wool leggings, t shirt and half zip top. A pair of shorts and a pair of running tights. A pair of glove liners, merino wool socks and a down jacket.
I have also been busy preparing myself with hiking trips to the Quantocks and to Dartmoor to practice navigation/map reading. Although the route is well marked it is always best to prepare properly.
We may or may not have altered our route a little bit. Guess it depends on the weather.
This may seem funny to some but I don't fully tick off a mountain until I can see the view from the top. Maybe I am a little bit nuts I don't know but I have climbed Cadair Idris three times and Ben Nevis four times and need to do them again as everytime they have been white outs.
Due to this we are thinking on climbing Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis as part of the route. As if it wasn't far enough already.
As it is less than two and a half months till we start the hike I will need to increase my daily walks from a couple of miles a day to something a bit more substantial.
We also need to get a practice hike in place to test kit, pack weights etc. Thinking Dartmoor is the best place to test gear properly and if we book soon we will have time to order any extra's or replacements.
I personally have an expedition set for the 2nd June taking Scouts wildcamping which will be nice but not necessarily challenging.
So far my kit is as follows.
Deuter favio 50 + 10. Little heavy but is a good backpack.
Mountain equipment helium 400 sleeping bag.
Trekology pillow and ul80 sleep pad and my go army folding sleep mat and bum pad.
Lanshan 2 tent with craghopper carbon walking poles and msr pegs.
Folding camp stove with igniter.
Aerpress coffee maker
Sawyer mini
Gsi cross over utensil set
Mess tins, titanium mug, cutlery and possibly a Billy can.
Loo roll/trowel
Wash kit to be determined
First aid kit
Towell got me and one for the tent. Both small.
Clothing will be two pairs of socks plus dry pair. Shorts, craghopper trousers. Legging and merino wool sleepones. Tshirts x 2. Half zip merino top. Fleece, down jacket, waterproofs and hat, gloves and snood.
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