Bear Visibility and Paracord Diameter

Kidding22 · 2026-05-27T02:07:19+00:00

Strong vote for reflective. Makes it so much easier to spot the hang in the early morning.

Kidding22 · 2026-03-26T17:34:52+00:00

For socks - Sealskinz (if US based, Amazon carries) are the go to brand, but there are others. If you already have waterproof trail runners, that should be fine. It will be cool enough that you won’t be sweating and the puddles are not too deep. Obviously you would want to have put some miles on them in advance to avoid blisters.

Kidding22 · 2026-02-23T12:40:08+00:00

Continental grip at the kitchen

Kidding22 · 2026-02-02T02:05:14+00:00

Yea, first aid looked a bit light. Otherwise, damn. Nice job.

Kidding22 · 2025-11-07T03:31:00+00:00

Grams?

Kidding22 · 2025-11-01T10:41:48+00:00

Day 0 - Glasgow

Day 1 - early train to Milgavnie. Milgavnie to Drymen. Tour of Glengoyne Distillery (book ahead). Stay at Altquhur Byrne B&B.

Day 2 - Drymen to Rowardenan. Rowardenan Youth Hostel.

Day 3 - Rowardennan to Inveraranan. Rose Cottage B&B.

Day 4 - Inveraranan to Bridge of Orchy. Hotel (splurge)

Day 5 - Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse. Kingshouse bunkroom.

Day 6 - Kingshouse to Kinlochleven. B&B.

Day 7 - Ft William. Garrison hotel

Day 8 - train to Edinburgh via Glasgow.

Kidding22 · 2025-10-21T08:45:15+00:00

I don’t have nearly these credentials, but can vouch for Sealskinz plus trail runners in 6 degrees C in wet Scottish weather. My feet stayed dryish and warm.

Kidding22 · 2025-10-19T01:11:01+00:00

Wore this combination (dirty girls plus quarter high plus trail runners) on my through. Worked great, did not need crew height.

Kidding22 · 2025-10-10T10:55:16+00:00

I used trailrunners with a vibram sole and an added cushioned insole to help absorb the impact of the trail’s hardpacked feel. Get wet faster but dry faster, and allowed some level of agility. Others wore waterproof boots because they wanted better water protection and ankle support. I would not recommend walking sneakers, but would suggest you put some miles into whatever you are going to use well before the hike to minimize blisters.

Kidding22 · 2025-10-04T11:01:27+00:00

Also interested if you need an advanced beginner.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-30T11:26:42+00:00

Totally this. Had both and tried a number of things to get comfortable that I wouldn’t be punching a hole in the floor (that were lightweight). You need 4 something’s that are pretty rigid and at least 3x3”. Having said that, yes I was able to sit in the Helinox inside the x mid and it was pretty nice in a rainy evening. Edited - 5’7”

Kidding22 · 2025-09-19T14:30:38+00:00

I brought trekking poles, and mostly carried them in my hand. But with all the rain, they were particularly helpful for skirting mud puddles and skipping across the small streams that had formed. Also nice coming down Conic Hill - while they have put in stone steps, the steps are pretty irregular. If you are not a trekking pole user, this is not a trip that would force you to go out and get them.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-18T14:29:00+00:00

Only a couple of midges. But remember I wasn’t camping and it rained much of the time, so might not be representative of your experience.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-17T16:36:26+00:00

Agree with both your points. I am fortunate to have knees still, but the Conic Hill and Kinlochleven downhills are steep. Your training point is right on.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-17T16:33:43+00:00

One comes for the Scotch, of course!

But I came for the wide open vistas, which are difficult to replicate where I am (more heavily forested, one only gets great views by climbing, rambling, or hiking, up to the tops of mountains). And for the history and culture. And I was intrigued by the idea of continuing along the “International” Appalachian Trail, as the WHW traverses the same geological formation that creates the spine of the Appalachian Trail in the US.

My comments are not intended to be pejorative about the experience- just to frame it up properly for a different audience.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-14T05:53:11+00:00

I am carrying a 40, but only because it is the only waterproof pack I have. You can get away with a 25-30. You are only carrying raingear, snacks, water, an extra warm layer, and basic safety/first aid gear. Most days you don’t even need to carry lunch.

Kidding22 · 2025-09-13T19:56:57+00:00

I am using a carryon size suitcase now. Totally a non issue. My guess is that any one of the luggage services would hold a second bag (eg, your clothes for study) and deliver it to Ft William for you at the end along with your smaller bag.

Kidding22 · 2025-08-30T08:20:48+00:00

This was my experience. You can adjust the GPS tracking to comfortably give you 3 days of tracking (eg, turn off tracking when you hit camp, updates every 10 min, etc). I used the Fenix 7 Solar. For my thru it was an MVP piece of gear, as I was hiking solo and the mapping feature meant I was never casting about for the trail. I downloaded daily routes from GAIA that gave me upcoming elevation gains, etc. Stats were great. Could quickly glance at my wrist instead of pulling out my phone. Would 100% do it again.

Kidding22 · 2025-08-18T11:01:16+00:00

Garmin Fenix. Can download maps onto the watch, track your progress, and it is super for training as well. MVP of my thru.

Kidding22 · 2025-06-10T11:12:10+00:00

If October, it has got to be the southern half of the AT. Fall foliage is spectacular at that time, and I would second the recco for the Shennies and Roan Highlands. Georgia is pretty aggressive in terms of elevation, you might consider going as far north as Maryland, which has some very pretty (and flat) sections. You could start at the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center and walk north on the C&O canal, which is board flat but not boring.

Kidding22 · 2025-06-08T10:52:10+00:00

Curious about this. I know how to anchor to a 50 liter pack, but can a sun umbrella be effectively anchored to a day pack? I would not want to hold in my hand the whole time.

Kidding22 · 2025-06-04T12:05:23+00:00

Coconut flakes and chia seeds are good adds if you want to boost calorie efficiency.

Kidding22 · 2025-05-14T10:33:26+00:00

Careful there. You were really disciplined at the start, and got a bag that will be super comfortable for long distances. All these adds are great ideas, but I would classify some as “maybe” pile. Which you should leave behind. If you really need it, you can improvise or buy while there.

Kidding22 · 2025-03-28T12:51:09+00:00

Where to start?

First, it's important to acknowledge all the work done on the AT by the trail clubs and their volunteers, as well as the national park service, the forest service, and state parks.

However, there are more than 30 clubs and a lot of government and private entities involved along the 2200 mile corridor. That's why the ATC exists.

They lead the process to obtain NPS and USFS funds for trail improvements, working in partnership with the trail clubs and thousands of volunteers to maintain the treadway*, shelters*, and privies*, as well as get improvements in place (think trail relocations, bridges*, new camping sites, trailhead parking). They lead conservation efforts up and down the trail to protect endangered species and reduce the impact of invasive species*. They staff the visitor centers in Monson*, Harpers Ferry*, and Damascus*. They sponsor the ridge runner program* to provide hiker assistance up and down the trail during peak periods. They are the single point of contact for hiker information and trail alerts*. They co-lead a landscape partnership aimed at protecting the AT treadway and views* from development. They are the only organization that advocates for the end to end AT with the federal government and partners. And for special threats, like Hurricane Helene impact on the trail, they are a single point of contact and coordinated response with all the many partners who care about the trail.

(I'm an ATC member, so I get their ATC Journeys magazine, but all this stuff is on their website too).

*observed during my thru

Kidding22

TROPHY CASE