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Post by Pete the Wolf on Apr 16, 2007 11:30:50 GMT -1
Me and a housemate decided yesterday it would be a pretty cool thing over the summer to grab a few friends and walk it.
Anyone else ever done it. If so what did you think of it?
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Post by Dr LuKas on Apr 16, 2007 12:15:41 GMT -1
Where is it, the south?
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Post by Tartan Wolf on Apr 16, 2007 15:56:39 GMT -1
Pete, You have asked the right man. I have walked all of Scotland 284 "Munro's" that is all the mountains above 3000ft (917m in new money). The West Highland Way starts in Milngavie (pronounced Millguy) on the outskirts of Glasgow and is 96 miles long and ends at the foot of Ben Nevis. It goes up the side of Loch Lomond, round to Crianlarich and then through Glencoe to Fort William (foot of Ben Nevis). It can be done in four very tough days, but most people do it in about six. There are good campsites, hotels, bunkhouses and a few pubs along the way. It is a pretty rugged landscape most of the way but on good paths, you tend to follow the valleys rather than go up and down mountains, although by the nature of it there will be an amount of climbs and descents though nothing too strenuous or technical. In good weather it is one of the best places on earth, in the rain you will feel as though you have died and gone to hell (good wet weather gear is essential). The route is always busy, in that you will meet a group coming the opposite way every 15-20 minutes. The social side around the campsites, boothies etc is always good especially if the weather is good. One warning is that this part of the West of Scotland is really bad for midges ( a small biting insect, not dangerous but an absolute pain in the arse). They are at the their worst in June, but can be anytime usually after rain and when there is no wind. A good insect repellent will help but not solve completely. Good boots, socks, waterproofs and maps will be required. Give me a shout if you wish any further details. The web site at www.west-highland-way.co.uk/index.asp is very good. A new route called the Caledonian Way has opened between Fort William and Inverness if you wish to extend.
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Post by CHOPPER READ on Apr 16, 2007 15:59:16 GMT -1
I have walked all round Glencoe and Glen/Ben Nevis but not all of the WHW.
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Post by Pete the Wolf on Apr 16, 2007 16:34:02 GMT -1
Pete, You have asked the right man. I have walked all of Scotland 284 "Munro's" that is all the mountains above 3000ft (917m in new money). The West Highland Way starts in Milngavie (pronounced Millguy) on the outskirts of Glasgow and is 96 miles long and ends at the foot of Ben Nevis. It goes up the side of Loch Lomond, round to Crianlarich and then through Glencoe to Fort William (foot of Ben Nevis). It can be done in four very tough days, but most people do it in about six. There are good campsites, hotels, bunkhouses and a few pubs along the way. It is a pretty rugged landscape most of the way but on good paths, you tend to follow the valleys rather than go up and down mountains, although by the nature of it there will be an amount of climbs and descents though nothing too strenuous or technical. In good weather it is one of the best places on earth, in the rain you will feel as though you have died and gone to hell (good wet weather gear is essential). The route is always busy, in that you will meet a group coming the opposite way every 15-20 minutes. The social side around the campsites, boothies etc is always good especially if the weather is good. One warning is that this part of the West of Scotland is really bad for midges ( a small biting insect, not dangerous but an absolute pain in the arse). They are at the their worst in June, but can be anytime usually after rain and when there is no wind. A good insect repellent will help but not solve completely. Good boots, socks, waterproofs and maps will be required. Give me a shout if you wish any further details. The web site at www.west-highland-way.co.uk/index.asp is very good. A new route called the Caledonian Way has opened between Fort William and Inverness if you wish to extend. Tartan, that is absolutely brilliant mate! Thanks very much! The website describes it in 8 steps, but a couple of them are pretty short and can easiily be merged into other days. Not sure about the Caledonian way, but may well be tempted by turning back at Fort William and spending an extra day climbing Ben Nevis. Will probably look to do it round either the start of August and merge with 21st, or the middle of September just before heading back to uni. Thanks for all that info, have an exalt!
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Post by Dr LuKas on Apr 16, 2007 17:27:51 GMT -1
I'd bungee jump it if I were you pete.
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Post by Pete the Wolf on Apr 16, 2007 18:51:07 GMT -1
I'd bungee jump it if I were you pete. Sounds a plan! ;D
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Post by Pete the Wolf on Apr 17, 2007 16:33:10 GMT -1
I'm slightly worried about how the first ad at the top of the page is to follow the trail of Jack The Ripper.
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Post by Dr LuKas on Apr 17, 2007 16:53:56 GMT -1
COOL!
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