Hi all! This is my first post here, so please forgive any faux pas :^)
I'm an 18 year old uni student and I'm planning on walking LeJog this summer, starting in mid-June.
I've bought some books and am in the midst of doing a lot of reading online, and was just looking for some more opinions.
My rough route (thus far) is to follow the SWCP, cross the estuary and walk to Chepstow before following Offa's Dyke until Shrewsbury, where my parents live.
After this I will walk the Pennine way (any good routes between Shrews and the Way?) to Jedburgh, perhaps stay with a family friend in Glasgow for a day or two, and walk the rest of the route along the West Highland Way and probably the unceremonious A9.
I understand June is probably quite late to start such a long walk, but unfortunately my exams end on June 18th!
I'm planning on walking Offa's Dyke this Easter, as a dry run of my equipment and as a stretch of training for the real thing.
I'm not too experienced with hiking - my plan for not getting lost is to plan out a route with waypoints on a .gpx file and upload it to a gps device as well as my mobile, as I understand many people do.
In terms of accommodation I am planning on camping when possible, but not ruling out a B&B every once in a while.
In terms of funds, I would say I have about 2 grand I could spend on everything, including equipment.
I am generally fairly fit - I can walk 25-30 miles in a day fine, so 15-20 a day should be ok, and I've just taken up running (again!).
I've read that walking in North Scotland in the late summer is generally a fool's errand, what with midges and hunting and everything. I'm not completely averse to walking JogLe, but I would prefer LeJog. Would you say this is possible, considering the earliest I can start walking is mid-June?
I've also read that post Fort William, the walk is quite difficult and at times more dangerous than the rest of the route. Do you have any advice for preparation for that, other than general safeguarding and common sense?
If you've read this far, thank you for your time! I would love to read any pointers you have to offer.
That's about all, for now..
Thanks!