West Highland Way Load Out 2024 | Gear Updates & New Luxuries
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- čas přidán 28. 07. 2024
- After hiking the iconic West Highland Way three times, I've refined my gear list down to the essentials and added a few exciting new luxury items for this year's 96-mile journey. Join me as I prepare for my upcoming adventure. I filmed on this video on March 17th, after issues with uploading the edited footage, I've only just managed to fix the issue just days before my departure on March 30th.
In this video, I'll be sharing insights into the gear I've decided to leave behind based on past experiences, as well as introducing some fresh additions that I'm eager to test out on the trail. From lightweight essentials to newfound luxuries, this loadout promises to make my journey both efficient and enjoyable.
Everything featured in the video was bought and paid for by myself. I'm no where near big enough a channel to be getting any freebies to review, so all the opinions of the gear is my own. It's all kit that I can recommend.
Stay tuned as I'll be updating the total weight of my pack on Friday evening before embarking on my expedition the following morning. If you're interested in following along on this year's West Highland Way adventure, don't forget to hit the like button and subscribe to my channel for future updates. Let's make this journey unforgettable together!
Update: After weighing my pack it came in at 19kg with food and water. I'm sure I can reduce that down but I do like my comforts. Plus I packed an extra down quilt, just to be extra cosy.
0:00 Intro
1:14 Backpack
6:03 Chest Rig
8:47 Tent
12:41 Sleep System
26:47 Cook System
32:42 Water Storage & Filtration
38:22 Lighting
40:04 Bug Control
44:24 Towel & Toiletries
47:24 Footcare
51:25 Poop Kit
52:40 First Aid
53:49 Seat
54:51 Poles
56:25 Boots
58:12 Gaiters
59:32 Gloves & Hat
1:00:33 Waterproof Gear
1:05:48 Gear Protection
1:08:13 Puffy Jacket
1:10:23 Power Banks
1:11:26 GPS
1:12:45 Camp Shoes
1:13:33 Trail Map
Thanks for sharing details, your channel was suggested by 'Strolling Steve'. I will be attempting my first 'WHY' in Aug-24 or May-25.
Good luck with your adventure. I hope you have a fabulous time. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Oh! And Moleskin for blisters! It's great!
It is. Haven't used it since my first failed trip with the 54th Scouts in 1990. But good shout. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Have a great trip. I hope the weather is kind and I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on. And thanks for sharing so many tips! Those smart water bottles look like a great idea.
I've been really lucky with the weather for the last two years. I get my luck will run out eventually but I have my fingers crossed for some great weather, and almost certainly some snow topped mountains past Tyndrum. 🏔️ Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi , thank you for all the info about your gear ,and especially your feet . That’s what spoiled it for me as I had a few blisters early on. Like you I never get them any other time. Hopefully the weather is dry. I start on the 1st April , you never know our paths might cross. I’ll have a bit luxury every night in a cosy bed.Best of luck 🤞🤗
Thanks for watching Janice. I'll be posting the odd pic to Instagram so you'll be able to get an idea of what's two days along the way. Enjoy your adventure and thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Great video! Just in time for my first WHW exactly one week from now! Greetings from TX
Glad you found it useful. You'll be one week behind me. Hopefully it will have warmed up a bit by the time you start, although there's something magical about Glen Coe in the snow. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi, I'm not a weight-geek, but you never added your load weight.
I have the Osprey AG 65, it weighs 2.2kg. If ever I weigh my kit, I always subtract 2.2kg, just to make myself feel better.
I attempted the WHW 2 weeks ago and had to bail on day 3 due to a lot of blisters.
My 2nd attempt is planned for October.
Thanks for your vid. It's always good to see what others carry.
I'm going to update the description on Friday once I've all my gear loaded up. So watch this space. I've never suffered blisters on any other trail. Speyside Way, Cateran Trail, nothing. Every time on the WHW I get blisters. I'm determined it's not happening this year. I'll be reviewing the Compeed Blister stick once I return in a week and a half. Sorry your trip didn't go to plan. Hopefully hasn't put you off. It's all learning. G ❤🏴
With everything including water, food electronics (gopro, drone, batteries and chargers) I was a hefty 19kg. Which I don't mind but realise that would be excessive for others. I did pack an extra down blanket just to be extra cosy. G❤️🏴
Thanks for getting back to me. I like my Camp Comforts so don't mind an extra few kilos. The Atmos AG is really good at making any weight less noticeable. Thanks again.
Hubba tents. You can put fly sheet up first if you peg out footprint use the pegging out loops to hold the frame then attach flysheet over the frame and peg out. Bit fiddly to attach inner but as you said in the rain at least you have a dry shelter. There is a video on CZcams.
Tried it once. So fiddly. Now, when it's raining, I just try to get it up as quickly as possible. When your tired you just want out of the elements. Love the design of the tent though. Thsnks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Im getting that chest rig...looks really good. Hope you have a great trip mate. Donny
It's fabulous. I used a bum bag in 2022 and it dug in when combined with the packs waistbelt. Again, it's not the lightest but it is a solid bit of kit. Weather is looking cold for next week but I'm sure it will be another great trip. G♥️🏴
Baby powder always use in the forces in 17 years got very few blisters
I've got it packed. I'm hoping it'll sort it out. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi, some fantastic information here for me, as the WHW will be my first long distance hike.
With your experience of the WHW do you know what the distance and terrain is between cashel campsite and Beinglas campsite?
Thank you for this excellent film, it has assisted me with my planning and preparation. Any short films updates you can post during your walk would be good. Have a great journey/adventure. I enjoy the WHW filmed and sectioned in to days. All the best, regards Chris. 🍻👍👍
Cashel to Beinglas is around 18 miles. Cashel to Rowardennan is on reasonable paths with a few ups and downs but good walking. Rowardennan to Inversnaid will depend on the choice of High or Low path. It's a long hard days walk. If the weather is bad I'd certainly take the High path, if not the low path takes just over an hour longer. Depends if you want to add that more challenging path to your day. When you get past Rowchowsh Bothy the path is ok for a bit and then your onto the single track rooty challenging stuff. Treat yourself to food and water at the Inversnaid Hotel, the next section is your biggest challenge of the trip. Take your time and keep moving forward. A fabulous meal at Beinglas Farm awaits you, will all the amenities you could ask for.
I personally ways try to get as far past Rowardennan as I can on day 2, in order to make the tough day 3 shorter, on my 7 day itinerary. Good luck with your adventure and thanks again for your support. Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
Hi,
Thank you for your reply and advice, I will definitely take the high path in that section.
18 mile is a bit longer than I would like, with the good facilities at Beinglas I might take the following day as a rest day and stay there, I think I will need it.
I’m not in any rush to finish the WHW so I think that might be a sensible option for me, just to rest and reset.
Are you walking solo on the WHW this time? I think you are setting off this coming Saturday, so not long now. I agree with you about shower gel and toiletries etc, I like to stay as clean as possible with showers and deodorant. Thank you for the information and excellent load out film, all the best for your WHW journey and as always take care, regards Chris. 🍻⛺️👍👍👍👍
Enjoyed your previous videos on the whw . We start ours on the 9 th April . Super excited . Good luck with your new journey 👍
Is this your first time? G♥️🏴
It is but done some sections of it before including devils staircase , it’s been on our bucket list for years , we finally get to do it . Plenty of lukeotape , kt tape and compreeds at the ready 🤣🤣
@@karenmilner420 Enjoy your adventure. G ❤️ 🏴
On ticks, I got some permethrin spray off amazon, you spray your gear (boots, gaiters, ground sheet or around your zip, and the bottom of your pack, and it kills them before they can get on you. One treatment lasts 6 weeks.
Just thought it might be useful to you.
I really need to invest in some. Thanks for the tip. Off to buy some now! 😊 Thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
I have the xmid solid 2. Best tent I have ever used. It has a big footprint though.
Osprey are good but too heavy. Im currently healing from a motorcycle accident so looking at lighter gear to deal with a broken back and neck. I ditched the tiny pump and am going back to the pump sack. My current pack is 1200 grammes. I am looking at getting a lighter sub 1 kg pack and the sleeping bag will be replaced by a quilt.to save weight and bulk.
Hopefully after physio etc I will be back out next year. Maybe the WHW.
Yeah, I'm not Ultra Light Backpacker but totally understand its appeal. Good luck with the recovery and thanks for watching. G ♥️ 🏴
"doing it in summer you will need a midge net" ...well i took my midge net when walking it in July 2016 and never needed it. I never seen a midge the whole trip. I must have been lucky :)
You've been very lucky indeed. 🍀 G❤️🏴
@@redmanwalking74 just as an add on...I used that Compeed anti blister stick and it did keep the blisters away...there was a few hot spots but never had a blister all trip. Hope it worked for you as it seems pretty good 👍
@@markgourley3745 I used it every day and only had one blister, right on the end of my wee toe. G❤️🏴
Hi G. Don't know if you realise but your mics are only outputting on all recent videos in left channel only mono. Not sure if it's an edit issue but I suspect, if like my boya ones, it's because you don't have stereo on on the reciever. Either way it's probably worth giving your vids a QA check on headphones if that matters to your very pro looking channel as opposed our scrappy one.
Thanks for that. I'll take a look. Every day's a school day. G♥️🏴
Interested to hear how you get on with the thermarest pillow - I recent;y switched from the decathlon helium to the Trekology Aluft 2.0 which is an improvement (and has a handy strap to attach to the sleep mat), but still not brilliant.
It's bulky. That's the only downside. I've been really comfortable sleeping with it. If you don't mind carrying a little more weight and bulk in order to get a good night's sleep, I can recommend. G❤️🏴
the mold on the inside of your pad is false
Sick of seeing everyone using an Osprey because they believe in the name. 'The waistbelt has great padding' is the default sentence for Osprey fanboys. Do some research and you can find backpacks with similar specs for a third of the price.
I've tried a few different packs and I'll be honest I really like the way the Osprey Kestrel carries my kit. Which packs are you referring to? Always happy to look at other gear that could be better. Gear tips are always appreciated. G♥️🏴
@@redmanwalking74I have 6 Osprey packs of various sizes for various purposes. As a taller gent I find the different back lengths offered by Osprey to be the clincher. Few offer the option between long and short. Previously I used a variety of rucksacks where the hip belt was round my rib cage making it uncomfortable or unusable. If it works why change? Lifetime guarantee is also a winner.
I really like mine but happy to look at alternative gear if Scott has some packs he can recommend. My only gripe about Osprey is that they don't do raincovers with every pack. Have a Talon 33. No cover. G❤️🏴
@@redmanwalking74 I love my Osprey packs. Reliable and well thought out. My Exos 48 doesn’t have a rain cover either. I suppose it to cut down the weight. No biggie though. I have a spare. ATB
I've done years of research and tried some backpacks and love my Osprey. It only compares to Gregory. Another big name, but I admit there is a reason behind it. Of course it doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone, but really, it is not just a name, it is a superb comfort and durability❤
Take care ;)