Preparation of an adventure – The Cape Wrath Trail
Some holidays come easy. Some holidays come hard. This holiday, hiking the Cape Wrath trail, takes dedicated planning and preparation. It needs lighweight gear. At least five full days of food packed away. Proper rain clothing. Hardcore hiking boots. Well planned medication in case something would go wrong. Oh, and proper physical condition in case you don’t want to feel like you are halfway dead during the first few days.
Like our weekly training app says (‘100% ArmyFit‘): “If you see a hill…”. Bad news, we live in East-Flanders, Belgium. Not many hills lurking on the horizon. Luckily we managed to get a proper hike in with some height difference and packs of around 16 kilograms on our back. Downside, we ended up doing the hike with temperatures soaring above 30°C as we only have Sundays free together (yeah, Belgium summers aren’t what they used to be). Around 24 kilometres, 6 litres of water each and an ice-cream later we made it home and were able to scramble up the stairs to our apartment. Like I said, dedication is key. Notwithstanding that such dedication sometimes comes with regret. Doing this hike with such soaring temperatures might not have been the best of ideas, but as they say ‘necessity knows no law’.
The other day we went shopping. I would love to say that I came home with a nice summer dress and some elegant sandals, but instead our bags were filled with dehydrated meals, a new and lighter water filter and our first proper fuel bottle. Luckily I also managed to get my girly shopping done and bought myself a pair of the most cosy merino hiking socks. Not much beats the joy of soft and fuzzy socks hugging your scathed and bruised feet! Yes, like I said, preparation for this hike takes time. And then I haven’t started yet on planning the hiking itself and preparing our one and only perfect hiking breakfasts (based on this guys awesome recipe with a ton of calories).
Planning such a hike isn’t just about figuring out how many kilometres to walk each day, it’s also about figuring out the terrain along the way. Will it be muddy? How many river crossings? What is the underground like? If we plan to stop around a certain area, will we be able to pitch our tent? Will there be water nearby for us to prepare dinner and have a late night tea?
Ahhh, so much to think of. So much to take into account. Like I said, dedication.
Yet, did I tell you about all the joy and fun it can be? Each action is combined with sparkling excitement. One step closer. One step more prepared for a dream hike. Yes, most likely a soaked, rainy, muddy hike sprinkled with midges, regular tick bites and cold, but non the less, a dream come true filled with beauty and wilderness. The mere promise of nothing else but placing one painful foot in front of the other till the evening sets in, signalling that it is time to pitch our tent or find a bothy for the night.
Schotland, we’re on our way! I’ve missed you my dear!
