After two days of walking I’ve come to the following conclusions:
- I have underestimated the physical challenge and my estimates of walking an average of 20km per day is very ambitious given how unfit I am.
- My bag is too heavy and I’ve packed items that are redundant.
- Solar panel battery holds 45 minutes of power fully charged – it’s useless
- With my present fitness walking west could present logistical problems, reach campsites, resupplying etc
I’ve decided to travel east instead of west, going from Wick to Inverness as my first leg following the official John O Groats route https://www.jogt.org.uk/
Today I travelled to Wick, mailed 3.7 kilos of redundant items to relatives, reorganised my bag, reorganised my planning. Purchased a portable power bank which weighs less and holds considerably more power!
Tomorrow I set of from Wick heading south along the east coast.
Lighter bag, better power system, clearer route.
12 replies on “Learning Curve”
Why does your location say Bus 45? Ha, hope all goes well mate! Enjoy it!
You’ve no idea how tempting it is 😁😁 thanks !
Must have been awkward sending your parents the purple headed one
Oh are you talking about the water purifier in the middle with the tube wrapped around it? Does look a bit suspect 😁😁
It looks like this hike was a good idea then, those are expensive mistakes to make if you are in the middle of nowhere! Have fun mate 🙂 look forward to the next post!
Almost everything sent back was nice to have but not essential, my back and shoulders appreciate having less weight to carry
Agile reaction
🤣 true
Shame about the solar panel pack, it seems ideal (I’d probably blame Scotland’s lack of sun)
Yeah im going to test it when I finish the route, could be the battery pack it comes with is faulty.
Who needs sunglasses when hiking in UK?
Haha you’d be surprised. I was burnt to a near crisp while sleeping for a few hours in the sun.