Author Topic: Southern Upland Way - July 2018  (Read 3046 times)

bricam2096

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Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« on: 20:36:52, 06/08/18 »
At the end of last month I walked the Southern Upland Way in Southern Scotland in 12 fantastic days, nearly all dry. I have now added this to my website if anyone would like to read about my journey, a video will follow when I have time and far too many photos to add here :-)

http://www.brians-walks.co.uk/southern-upland-way.html
LDWs done - 32 in total including 16 National Trails and 3 C2C

Wainwrights 176
www.brians-walks.co.uk

Strider

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #1 on: 00:09:17, 07/08/18 »
Nice one Brian,  I've glanced through the first few days and will have a proper read later.
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April

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #2 on: 08:41:33, 07/08/18 »
I read your report last night Brian, great photos and write up  O0

That is a lot of miles to do each day, day after day, I felt tired just reading it, then I realised it was nearly midnight, no wonder I was tired  ;)
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vghikers

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #3 on: 14:37:52, 07/08/18 »
Great detailed report Brian. I know what you mean about post-walk thoughts changing significantly after digesting the experience for a few days.

Having walked some fragments of the route, the SUW is - or rather was - just the kind of trail with expansive landscapes and views and very few people that would suit us, at least years ago, but the backpacking distance is probably a bit too wearing now for creaky limbs. Doing it in two stages is a possibility but it's not quite the same (my 'aspi' brain insisting on logical neatness!). It's also excellent for our mandatory wild pitching requirements.

bricam2096

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #4 on: 15:33:40, 07/08/18 »
Yes, some days were rather long but in some places the accommodation was non existent so you had the choice of a couple of days doing 26 miles or doing that part in 3 days and getting picked up/dropped off at the designated points (which are marked on the waymarkers  O0 )

The good weather, great scenery, nice paths plus the fact that I didn't consider it to be too hilly meant that the 20+ mile days didn't seem so long. It might not feel that way in bad conditions  ;)

Hardly saw a soul on it so I felt like I had the whole trail to myself, which I enjoyed  O0

It wasn't the easiest LDW to plan but it was worth it in the end and after the North Downs Way earlier in the year, a pleasant change to walk a LDW that didn't have a flytipping problem. Mind you, hardly saw any vehicles most days  :D :D
LDWs done - 32 in total including 16 National Trails and 3 C2C

Wainwrights 176
www.brians-walks.co.uk

Seferix

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #5 on: 18:19:34, 07/08/18 »
Amazing report. Astonished you managed to walk those distances consecutively! I would be done after day 1!
214 Wainwrights Completed Once, 173 a Second

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sunnydale

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #6 on: 09:16:20, 08/08/18 »
Enjoyed that Brian, lovely selection of photos too O0
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astaman

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #7 on: 14:06:36, 09/08/18 »
Excellent report - not just interesting in itself but a useful reference for anyone thinking of doing the SUW in the future. Enjoying your website generally by the way - you've done lots - great stuff!

bricam2096

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #8 on: 15:32:07, 09/08/18 »
Excellent report - not just interesting in itself but a useful reference for anyone thinking of doing the SUW in the future. Enjoying your website generally by the way - you've done lots - great stuff!

This is one of the reasons why I like to put these walks on the website, hopefully they can help others too. There wasn't a lot of info online about the SUW so every extra helps, I think.
LDWs done - 32 in total including 16 National Trails and 3 C2C

Wainwrights 176
www.brians-walks.co.uk

tonyk

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #9 on: 22:23:14, 09/08/18 »
 A very interesting read. O0 Its one on my list but I think it will be a tent job as that terrain looks ideal for wild camping.

Doddy

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #10 on: 10:24:36, 10/08/18 »
There is a bothy en route.

bricam2096

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #11 on: 10:42:08, 10/08/18 »
There is a bothy en route.

There are 5 Bothies along the route, I had breaks in 3 of them :-)
LDWs done - 32 in total including 16 National Trails and 3 C2C

Wainwrights 176
www.brians-walks.co.uk

Doddy

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #12 on: 12:15:09, 10/08/18 »
I remember walking past one, the others must be off route. On one website it says there are six. Any advance :-)

bricam2096

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #13 on: 18:22:38, 10/08/18 »
I remember walking past one, the others must be off route. On one website it says there are six. Any advance :-)

There used to be 6 but the one at Minch Moor I believe is no more. 2 are slightly off route but the other 3 are on it. Mind you, I wouldn’t have known they were bothies if I hadn’t read the guide book.
LDWs done - 32 in total including 16 National Trails and 3 C2C

Wainwrights 176
www.brians-walks.co.uk

snoopdawg

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Re: Southern Upland Way - July 2018
« Reply #14 on: 18:54:56, 11/08/18 »
Excellent and very informative report. I intend doing the SUW next Autumn (2019) and will use your report in the planning stages if you don't mind.

Came past the former site of the Minch Moor bothy last April when I was attempting the SNT and yes it has been removed ,because of misuse I believe.

 

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