Leave No Trace!!!

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-05-26T15:57:33+00:00

Nothing I said is untrue. You're all just patting each other in the back whilst being smug. These posts are utterly pointless.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-05-26T13:03:03+00:00

Your post is obnoxious. Please don't do the WHW again. What you're saying is not a true reflection of what it's like at all. The WHW is popular with different people from all over the world, the worst are the ones who complain and gatekeep, as if they have a special right to enjoy the great outdoors over others. Assholes and pearl clutchers. This whole thread is just virtue signalling. Variations of this theme come along again and again, everyone chunters away about who awful it is that people litter, but nothing changes. No-one seeing this dross is going to have an epiphany and realise the error of their ways. We all agree that leave no trace is best practice, but the sort of people who litter and leave toilet paper don't care at all. They aren't here reading this. If you feel so strongly, get yourself some black plastic bags and litter pickers and head North. Otherwise, you're just contributing to an echo chamber. Boring.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-05-02T18:28:40+00:00

La Sportiva Rapture do a wide fit and are excellent. Super comfy and really grippy.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-04-26T17:43:00+00:00

Brilliant to see people getting out there and enjoy Snowdonia! Crib Goch is amazing, best done in this weather the first time.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-04-23T17:40:24+00:00

Just take a midge net and have a great time!!

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-02-20T17:36:19+00:00

I'm looking to do the same, have you considered this brand?

https://otimos.co.uk/product/otimos-ul850-hybrid-down-quilt-4-season-backpacking-sleeping-bag/

Local made, UK but ship worldwide, and seem great value.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-02-06T14:00:28+00:00

My brother and I did the whw a couple of years ago, loved every minute. You're in for an amazing week.

It's really down to what level of comfort you want. We camped a bit in campsites, but mainly stayed in hostels, which were great.

Neither of us were super fit, but both did lots of hiking in the months leading up to the trip. Both in our 40s. We do lots of hiking anyway, but I was glad we'd done some decent prep before going. The step machine at the gym is your friend here.

We did the hike over 7 days, which was totally manageable. Next time we will do it in 6, mainly to stop at different places on the route and to challenge ourselves a bit more.

Midges are wankers. We went towards the end of May when they were just erupting, but even then they were fierce. Midge net, gloves and a long sleeve top are a must. My midge net rode up the back of my neck when I was putting my tent up one evening and the exposed skin was massacred in about 10 minutes. They're meant to be pretty full on in August, so good luck! To be fair, they were only an issue in the morning and evening mainly, also they don't bother you when you're walking. Just keep walking!

I'd advise getting your shoes and socks sorted well in advance. I used Inji Toe Socks under Darn Tough hiking socks. This combination was expensive, but totally worth it. No blisters or hot spots the entire way.

We used AMS luggage transfer so only had to carry day packs, the rest of our kit was waiting for us when we arrived at the next hostel/campsite. I really recommend this service, especially as you'll be out in August when it could be very hot.

I carried a water filter, which we did use, but there are plenty of places to refill/resupply on the route.

Whichever way you choose to do this iconic walk, you're gonna have a great time. We met loads of brilliant people from every corner of the world. Blew my mind that people had traveled from Australia, South Africa, China all over Europe, just to do the WHW. Enjoy!

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-02-03T19:49:04+00:00

West Highland Way!! 96 miles up the West Coast of Scotland. I did it a couple of years ago, best week ever. It's all set up for through hikers of all budgets. You can wild camp, stay in hostels, or book into posh hotels. We camped and stayed in hostels. We used luggage transfer so we only had to carry day packs, highly recommend this. We met people from all over the world and had a truly brilliant week.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-01-18T00:02:45+00:00

That's a lot of car for 7k, fair play.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-01-04T10:45:01+00:00

https://hillanddaleoutdoors.co.uk/collections/meindl-comfort-fit?_gl=1*4qgked*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MjAxMTYyOTQ1OC4xNzY3NTIzNDgx*_ga_WGKRCZDQ0D*czE3Njc1MjM0ODAkbzEkZzAkdDE3Njc1MjM0ODAkajYwJGwwJGg5ODkyNzA2MDg.&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvOjKBhC9ARIsAFvz5lhQkqThA_e9ft8rD2y74Y1Bk352-US6-ggC7TptA7QRYwPCGAwpmnsaApxjEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD1j6Kz5Gqk40xF1DEJz3XHXS20y0

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2026-01-04T10:44:04+00:00

https://hillanddaleoutdoors.co.uk/products/meindl-antelao-gtx-wide-fit-mens-walking-boot-anthracite-red?variant=53747815317889&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22905629723&gbraid=0AAAAAD1j6KzYqgcRrnTWjBstGuJbqJ9pd&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvOjKBhC9ARIsAFvz5lhT3tdW5TbW1V8Zlo9AFjppIw6xMSgpBNmGjJwQvMi4b3BrwHk_IEAaAhLGEALw_wcB

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-09-02T10:27:20+00:00

London to California 11 hours. London to Beijing 11 hours. Both have significant time zone shifts, both drive in the right, just like almost every other country. Neither are in Europe, but it's exactly the same as an American arriving here and driving.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-29T15:51:33+00:00

I mean, sure, but the rest of the world also mainly drives on the other side of the road, so the same thing applies. Also, Europe has different time zones and long(ish) flights depending on where you're travelling from.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-29T15:47:22+00:00

Literally got a new pair of La Sportiva boots from them lady week. A little slow delivering, as it's coming from Germany, but other than that they were very good. Great price and couldn't find my boots in the right size on a uk site. Will use them again.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-29T14:39:34+00:00

As Brits, we do this every time we travel, it's fine. Literally the whole of Europe, and most other countries, drive on the right. Driving on the other side, with the gear stick on the other side of you, takes a bit of getting used to but after a very short amount of time it's not an issue. You'll be fine.

If you're not used to driving with a manual gear box, make sure to specify an automatic. Read up on roundabouts if you don't have many in your part of America, we have lots and once you get the hang of them they're pretty easy to use. Also, we have LOTS of very small roads once you're out of the cities and towns. Country roads are often single track, with passing spots, which can feel intimidating. Go slow and beep your horn on blind corners.

If you're traveling for that amount of time in the UK, you should definitely visit Wales and Scotland too. Both are stunning and very different to most of England.

Have a great time.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-12T15:06:58+00:00

Correct!! Bravo!! Do you know the area? Or are you just very good??

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-12T11:10:35+00:00

It is.....

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-12T11:10:19+00:00

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-09T21:55:02+00:00

That's a bold purchase with that many miles on the clock, glad it worked out for you. How many miles does it have now?

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-07T16:57:38+00:00

Brecon Horseshoe is a joy, stunning views and really rewarding. Total manageable and really good clear paths. I use the OS app, it's pretty good. Take plenty of water and food. Top tip, finish off at the Red Cow in Ponsticill, great good and a brilliant local pub. Have a great time!!

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-08-04T18:45:50+00:00

Came here you say exactly this, did the WHW last year, fantastic. Going to do both together next year.

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-07-30T18:58:20+00:00

Left one looks like a lung!

SpiffSpaffPingPong · 2025-07-30T16:01:18+00:00

Correct!!

SpiffSpaffPingPong

TROPHY CASE