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Retracing My Footsteps on the West Highland Way I first walked the West Highland Way (WHW) eight years ago, when I was relatively new to long-distance walking. The WHW was a seminal experience for me. I had completed the Cleveland way, but the WHW, at that time, felt so much more remote, like a real adventure north of the wall in an unforgettable landscape. It inspired me to keep hiking and to se …

Day 1 The official Day 1 route is a hike along the Chamonix valley to the end before climbing out (below a cable car) to the Col de Balme followed by a descent into Trient where there’s a place to camp. My idea was to use the Balcony du Sud path instead which contours along the Chamonix valley on the opposite side to Mont Blanc, about mid-way up the mountain side. It’s a superb path w …

Getting There Easyjet flies direct to Geneva from Manchester so this was the preferred option, don’t be tempted to go via Schipol, it’s a nightmare. Geneva is the gateway airport for Chamonix so there are loads of options for transfers. I got caught out though, I booked a bus for an hour after the flight was due to land so this is what happened: Flight delayed out of Manchester, but …

Total weight (excluding Food, Water and Consumables): 5.884Kg (12lbs 15.9oz) Total weight with 3 days food, gas and 1L water: 9.386Kg (20lbs 11.7oz) I was intending to complete Chamonix to Zermatt high route using a mix of wild camps and camp sites. As I’m getting on a bit, I needed a backpack that was as light as possible without sacrificing comfort, as I would be using my tent for ten nig …

Chamonix to Zermatt is known as the Walker’s Haute Route and is an amazing journey of around 180km across some of the most beautiful passes in Switzerland. I completed the route in 2006 but wanted to experience it again in 2025, nineteen years since my first crossing and at the advanced age of 64. The traditional way to make the crossing is to use mountain huts and valley hotels, but for me …

Cost The cost of the trip depends very much on whether you camp every night or use accommodation, and how much you use campsites and restaurants for meals. The cost of cable cars is also significant, though of course you don’t have to use any of these, though I think the one from Le Chable to Les Ruinettes is well worth it. As it saves a full day, you can offset the cost of the cable car ag …

Day 7 - 14th May Invernahavon Campsite – Glen Feshie Distance: 26.47km Altitude: 678m Steps: 27,783 The downside of having a campsite so close to the A9 and railway line was when they decide to do any maintenance, they tend to do it at night so not to disturb the traffic. However, it does disturb campers! The sound of rattling machinery seemed to go on all night; I must have only managed …

Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), formerly known as Cuben Fibre, has transformed the world of ultralight backpacking. This high-tech fabric, popularised by tent manufacturers such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, offers exceptional strength-to-weight performance, full waterproofing, and all-weather reliability. It’s now a common choice for ultralight tents, backpacks, and accessories, allowing adve …

Combining lightweight Gore-Tex ePE performance shell with advanced construction techniques and essential feature set, the Phase lite ensures maximum wet weather protection and full garment breathability whilst minimising weight. BARRIER and STORMGUARD construction techniques enhance wet weather protection, and are engineered alongside our streamlined features set, including the PIVOT 2 fully adjus …

The kit selection for my TGO was based on balancing warmth and comfort in potentially changing weather whilst keeping weight to a manageable level. Utilising technology to keep me on the right track, safe and powered for the duration. The weather for a two-week trip in Scotland is hard to predict, especially at some of the higher elevations and having versatile clothing to cover all eventualities …

Day 1 - 8th May Mallaig to River Carnach Distance: 21.19km Altitude: 1636m Steps: 31,115 My route would start with a short 30-minute ferry ride from Mallaig to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula. But first I would have to officially sign out from the West Highland Hotel. Situated just up the road from my slightly more rustic hostel. The hotel overlooked Mallaig and had a wonderful clear view out …

Danny's ultralight kit has been purpose-built for the Tour du Mont Blanc, designed for self-sufficiency, weather resilience, and long days in the Alps. At just over 5.5kg base weight, it strikes a balance between comfort, durability, and performance without excess. From the bombproof ULA Ultra Circuit pack to the Mont Zero Superlight Sleeping Bag, every item has been chosen with intention. Gear-bu …