“Don’t beat yourself up if you cannot find the path, just make your own way in the right direction” Iain Harper
If you’re okay with this, you’ll be at home on the Cape Wrath Trail
Hola amigos,
In case you haven't read any of our adventures before I'll introduce us - I'm Zen, the 4-legged cute but tough one in the photos.
My job is to find the best path through the bogs and take the p*ss out of Ian, who is not so tough.
As good as my bog avoiding skills are, Ian is as bad at map reading. His job is to not get us too lost, too often. Ian also has the unenviable task of carrying our casita (tent) and my food!
It's hard typing with these paws so I'll not write much and forgive me for posting any photos upside down. Same paw excuse. (pun intended)
“Zen, you cannot keep using the same paw pun!”
"So Zen, what aspirations have you got for this adventure?"
"Glad you asked, my wish list -
Long sun-drenched days
Freedom forests to run in
Fresh streams and rivers to quench thirst
Cooling snow for massages
Remote hut stays
Wild camps everywhere - hills, lochs, rivers, sandy beaches with ace views of course
My fav trekking food and treats
Fab surprise reward at end, and a . .
Hot b*tch to play with and fall in love
- not asking too much?"
"Hmm, a bit over the top with the 'sun'! It is Scotland after all"
"Oh, and NO swinging suspension bridge challenges"
"Don't worry, no bridge challenges” - Zen’ll be begging me by the end for bridges across the rivers, even swinging ones"
"The only challenge, a tough one, is to get to Cape Wrath Lighthouse"
"Un faro - hopefully enlightenment at the end - he needs it!"
Day One
I'm quite fond of a long train journey and they don't come much longer than Brighton to Inverness.
First equipment failure, already - my water bottle split - Resourceful Ian purchased a new wided-mouthed, easy to refill one.
To my relief, we visited the local pet shop for my fav trekking food & scooby meaty snacks.
Ian successfully pleaded to the bus station manager to get me on the bus to Fort William
(no dogs allowed on most City Link services).
On the journey, I eagerly scanned the Loch, but no Nessie – phew”
We camped in the drizzle outside Fort William - I ruined Ian's inside mesh tent repairs by escaping while he had a shower.
Not keen on being shut in when there’s a fab world out there to discover.
Any adventure that starts with a ferry is cool in my book!
Hopped off & looked for directional signs, for me to leave my usual starting mark (p*ss) and Ian to familarise himself with the siiii . . , but arrr !
"Ian, no signs!"
"I know, we must use the map. No worries, we just head North, what can go wrong?"
Gulp!
“A lot! My worst fears realised immediately - we headed South!"
“I don’t know where we are going but we are on our way… will it be an outdoor adventure or an inner voyage of discovery?”
Off the lead road walking - no cars, no one in sight - just the two of us – super.
Paranoia got to Ian after a couple of hours, thinking he had missed the turn off, frantically analysing the map he realised distances were depicted larger - why does he have to insist on learning on the job? - Glad he's not a vet!
Ben Nevis – I think. We’ve been twice to Fort William but never attempted to climb it
Wire bridge - "How's your balancing Zen?"
A first day, quiet meandering welcome introductory stroll, just a few sodden paths, sucking you into thinking the Cape Wrath Trail will be easy . . .
I’m intrigued, what is this Trail all about . .?
Wild, spectacular and more . .
Sudden hail shower - We found shelter under this -
First sight of people. Strange .. .not people - Ian shared an ice-cream – surely, nothing to celebrate yet, or maybe it was our last chance to enjoy one..
“Hey! You said NO suspension bridges!”
Avoided, thankfully.
Corryhully Bothy – one of very few with electricity and dry firewood, such luxury.
Stayed with two other hikers, seriously laden down, who’d taken 2 days to get here.
The Trail is tough!
Good to be up and running so early with my wish list – hut stay ticked off.