Getting ready to hike 1600miles - Solo overnight backpacking trip with my dog

Welcome to my channel, I’m so glad you’re here :)
In my first video I’m taking you with me on a 35km overnight backpacking and wildcamping trip that I’ve done with my dog Otto.
This trip was in preparation for our upcoming thru-hike across Britain (End-to-End, 1600miles) starting in April 2023. I’ve tested some new gear for the first time (the Durston x-mid 1p tent and the ULA Ohm 2.0 backpack) and dialed in my gear list.
Stay tuned for more, we’ll take you along with us on our big adventure and would love if you joined us on here :)
You can also follow us on Instagram for updates @elli.hikes
Happy hiking,
Elli and Otto

[@tchaeuk]

Living in Canada and now too old to hike as much as I once did, I appreciate your adventurous spirit. I also relate to your notion of living life to the full. For me it's good to have a goal & destination. But I think you always need to appreciate the natural beauty you may pass through on the journey. Happy Trails.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement, I really appreciate it! Thank you for following along 🥰

[@chrishiking8818]

I hike with 3 guys for last 30years one a year . I the first 5 years one of the guys always had his dog too. We all had so much respect for him as he had to guy also the dogs food and gear. They were great times and the dog was so happy having 4 guys looking after them.

[@ellihikes]

Awww, that's so cool! It's so nice do have a dog as a hiking partner 🥰

[@COYSMike]

Came across your video as a recommendation, after researching the X-Mid 1. Have subbed to check out your JOGLE adventure!

[@ellihikes]

Ooh, thank you! So nice to have you here 😊

[@mel2063]

👍

[@charlessullivan5370]

All the best to you and Otto on your hike. I have the Durston X-Mid 1 with the mesh body. I've been very pleased with it and I think you will be too. Looking forward to following along on your trip.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much! The tent is really great, had it in some wind and rain on this trip already and I'm also really happy with it 😊

[@stewartbrady3651]

Looking forward to seeing your jogle adventure

[@ellihikes]

thank you :)

[@paganoutdoors3193]

What a stunning hike, great shake down ,very cool ,good health and safe travels, cheers craig

[@ellihikes]

Thank you 🤗

[@freds-shed]

Fantastic, looking forward to following 🎉

[@ellihikes]

Aww, thank you 😊

[@riqueroams]

Great video Elli and Otto. I will definitely be following you on your journey. You two are awesome. Happy travels. xx

[@ellihikes]

Aww thank you so much Rique :)

[@alexbelcher5642]

Wooooo! Go Otto and the human!! 😉 Can't wait to see you soon!

[@ellihikes]

Yeaaaah 🥰🥳

[@garywood79]

You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful area. Good luck to both of you. I look forward to your updates 🤗

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much :)

[@nickwinter991]

Great video with lovely scenery. I'd say North to South has one big advantage - starting in April you should miss the worst of the Scottish midges! From late May onwards they can be a real nuisance. Good luck with the hike to you both, I'll be following you although you probably won't have much time to upload videos while you are hiking!

[@ellihikes]

Thank you so much :) yes, that was one big reason to go N-S. I’ve travelled through Scotland before in summer and that was horrible with the midges :/ And would be even worse when I’m outside 24/7…. Videos will be coming regularly, I’m editing them on my rest days :)

[@nickwinter991]

@@ellihikes Great that you will be doing videos while on the move! Don't forget that rest days are for resting, though...

[@texmexia49]

Beautiful video/view! FYI, if you put the elastic loops around the bottom of your trekking poles it will help stabilize and expand your inner tent.

[@ellihikes]

Thank you!! Yes, I realized that too in the meanwhile 😄😅 makes quite a difference 👍

[@texmexia49]

@@ellihikes your welcome. I have one of these too: a great little tent.

[@TAT660X]

Fantastic looking trail 😎

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Best of luck on your trip! Great tent. That tent is very popular right now. Hope you will do an update on how it worked. New follower here. Crow

[@ellihikes]

So far, I'm very pleased with it 😊 will definitely make an update after the hike 😍

[@karlclark4641]

keep us posted on your uk walk,hike also what do yo recommend for nice hike your end

[@ellihikes]

You mean my recommendation for great trails in Germany?

[@wernerdebijl1885]

I was wondering how you travel to your destinations abroad with Otto? Next trip to Schotland and I also followed your adventures at the SWCP. Do you always travel by car? Keep the video’s coming!

[@ellihikes]

Last year and also this year, my boyfriend is going to drive us over (we're taking the ferry to Dover) and from Folkestone Otto and I will travel by train to Scotland.

[@AlexGal936]

I've been looking at this tent for my Pennine way trip but i think I'll have to get the 2 person tent to fit Osbert in, he's a bit bigger than Otto

[@ellihikes]

I really liked the tent, but if you want to store your gear inside, it would probably be a little bit too narrow inside to fit a bigger dog in, too. Otto was totally fine (but he also doesn't move around inside and just curls up and goes to sleep once I set up the tent), but there wasn't any space inside left....

[@davidcressey]

How did you find the Topo Athletic trail runners? Are they the Superiors?

[@ellihikes]

I really loved them (these were the MT-4) and have used them for a while. But I need to add that i switched to Altra Olympus on our JoGLE hike as I got Plantar fasciitis and needed a bit more cushion (walked quite a lot on tarmac in the beginning and I found the Altra Olympus more comfortable for the harder surface). But for paths they are perfect, love them!

[@davidcressey]

@ellihikes I did the Cape Wrath Trail in May using Altra Olympis 5s. They're brilliant, but wear out quite quickly. BTW, love the video's and really appreciate the effort you made. I'm planning to do the Lejog in 18 months so this is invaluable.

[@ellihikes]

Yes, that's very true. Although I've still managed to get about 700miles out of both Olympus pairs I've had so far, which I found not too bad. But depends on the terrain of course... thank you so much, really appreciate your encouragement 😊 🙏

[@pootinplays]

What breed of dog do you have?

[@ellihikes]

He's a rescue stray dog from Croatia. Probably some Dachshund and some Jack Russell Terrier in him 😊

[@andrewheffel3565]

Perky.