Kit List for West Highland Way and Great Glen Way

[@Clydeyboy5]

Your videis are like watching a professional documentary only far better. Love this. I know this is an older video but im binge watching alll of your videos

[@ikonuk]

"There is a train coming," 😂😂 your energy fantastic. I'm doing the West Highland way this Saturday. This video helped so much.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Tips from ex Para. Zip lock bag with foot powder in, stick feet in every day. Heaviest items like tents at the top of rucksack always , puts the load on your shoulders and not your lumbar spine. A foil blanket in your med kit. 3 pairs of socks, one on, one washed in stream as you go and on top of rucksack drying, and one dry pair in reserve. Zinc oxide tape for blisters. Thick Sorbothane brand insoles. Mini solar phone charger on top of rucksack.

[@pawelmacpoof5687]

What are the thick insoles for?

[@liketohike1589]

Solar phone charger is useless on such a trip. The Highlands are not New Mexico /USA for example. I always take one pair of sealskinz membrane socks with me. Under them I just wear some small merino running socks, so the sweat is mainly in this socks. Easy to wash and faster to dry. And the membrane socks are highly breathable, so no concern about standing in your own water even when the weather gets hot.

[@Οχοντρόςσαςγαμάει]

From an ex para if an older generation, that's all unnecessary luxury

[@samknight698]

I've always tried to have heavy stuff lower down so the weight goes onto your hips through the hip belt takes the weight off your back And a lower centre of gravity seems to make sense

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

@@samknight698 correct!

[@elladunnet]

Currently packing for the whw and ggw and your video is so helpful thank you Abbie. You're such a lovely person and are taking all the stress out of this process :)

[@doyounotknow]

Thank you for your delightful and informative videos, they’ve been really helping me get through lockdown! I wish you long life and a Patreon subscriber for every man in the comments telling you how you’re doing it wrong

[@waxman4207]

Enjoy. I did the WHW APRIL 2017 carrying a similar weight, a guy even older than me gave me some advice, "the more weight you carry the more you will enjoy your camping, the less weight the more you will enjoy your walking". I did it again at Easter this year with approx half the weight, boy was he correct. Liked it the first time, loved it the second time. Hoping to do the GGW next year or maybe both.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Good advice. Thankfully for me, I can enjoy both!

[@scottmcneill8654]

Cool video I nearly forgot about the flip flops nice after a walk. I'm doing the same next week 😊

[@Oldman525]

I am away again into the Highlands visiting Arran, Islay, and the outer Hebrides then Orkney before returning to Glasgow to do the WHW and GGW and if I have time left out of my 12 weeks venture might throw in the RRW. Currently shaking out my old kit. Followed most of your adventures. I am away from the beginning of Sept to the first week Dec.

[@christinewinterton7111]

Hi Abbie a tip I was given for sore rubbed hips, use sanitary pads. These could work for your shoulders, just stick them onto the skin on the shoulder and forget about them. Worked well for me. Love your videos, keep them coming.

[@Backoutthere]

Did the same walks in 2016. Great walks. Liked the Great Glen Way better, because of quietness. No people. Hope you enjoy your walk.

[@barneyswalks]

A great video Abbie, You really are a very organised packer and i can see you are prepared for every eventuality. Good luck on your west highlands way walk.

[@williambellingham2024]

Top tips thanks again keeping walking wild🙏🏻

[@smartsolutions8978]

Hi Abbie. Thank you for a great video. I did the WHW with my best friend about 20 years ago. I loved it then and now I loved to see so many things I still remember of this walk. You were an inspiration! thank you.

[@bobhope9783]

Thank you Abbie for all your packing and product review videos. They are full of useful info..so thx. Bye...

[@kenhenley7599]

I'm starting the WHW on 7 September so this was both interesting and informative. I thought about taking a pair of shorts and some flip flops but the thought of ticks puts me off! Great idea...putting gloves under the shoulder straps of a rucksack. Peanut butter anything...absolute heaven! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your trail videos in due course.

[@winmang]

Refreshing, enlightening and educational for me. At 88 years of age, my only way to hike !

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Glad to be sharing these videos with you :)

[@WalkingintheWildwithJoeJackson]

Cant wait to see the videos of the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way! :)

[@esperoutdoors9421]

interesting vid. looking forward to seeing how you get on doing the west highland way and the great Glen. Good luck!

[@iansoutdoorsrecovery7971]

Thanks for this video great help as I'm planning doing west highland way as just moved to Scotland

[@karenanderson1564]

Loving your videos. Such an inspiration. Thank you, 💕

[@Rdeboer]

The Great Glen Hostel in South Laggan has a small but handy shop at their reception area, BTW. I managed to replace my toothbrush there after it fell to bits on the first night! No idea if it's for guest's use only but worth checking if you're in a pinch.

[@Weferoz]

Great stuff Abbie! I did the west highland way this April, and planned to do the great Glen way in April next year! Can't wait. Keep it up

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Enjoy it!!

[@Mtnsunshine]

This was one of the most entertaining and informative gear videos I have seen I awhile. Thank you for making it! Yes, that camera gear does add a bit of weight, but the quality of your videos is exemplary because of it. Now I’m off to watch the second half of your West Highland’s hike. 👍. Love the first half. 👏🏼

[@TFSOutdoors]

Hi Abbie, I plan to walk the West Highland Way next year and have been eagerly awaiting the posting of your walk and experiences. Could let me know when you think you will post the video of this?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Great you're heading out to do the walk! Ive had a lot of requests to get this years walks out!! There will be 3 minute previews (like the SDW one I uploaded last week) out in the new year and then I will get them edited and released as soon as I can! Hoping Jan/Feb!? Takes a long time building music etc before I even get to the edits but I am on it!

[@bobthepome]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD I am also really looking forward to your WHW video. I am planning for late summer 2019.

[@kristenbruce5334]

Abbie thank you so much for the great videos you make! Im about to head out on the WHW for my first backpacking trip, and this video along with others has made me feel set up to go! Keep up the good work :D

[@fritzd2116]

Sweet head net! 😃😜😉

[@maxflight777]

We completed the West Highland way last year. (sadly I missed a day with blisters, so can't make the claim) but the other 5 in the family did. Jonathan was only 10 so I was particularly proud of him and Mirren (age14) ! Earlier in 2018 we completed the Great Glen too. The Great Glen was much easier, but in its own way, just as fulfilling. If anyone watching the video is curious, I would encourage you to attempt these walks. They are utterly beautiful and each day provides surprisingly differing scenery.

[@aaronstephenson7280]

Always take Compeed on your hikes! Best blister plasters going, can’t even tell you have a blister with them

[@nickstevenson5686]

Don't know if its been mentioned but I always take some hard boiled sweets. Always good to give you that needed boost 😎

[@stevesmith3990]

Good luck and have fun on the walks Abbie!

[@zennor_man]

Very useful info, thanks. Best of luck.

[@owentudor79]

Great video... just subscribed and now about to make a cuppa and watch your journey 😁👍 (going in may 1st time) Thank you for a great video

[@pauladams6969]

I have planned to walk West Highland way, the Great Glen way and the Dales way starting in May 2019. With all my new kit which I will be taking, it all comes up to 7lb aprox. I did the dales way with a pack weighing over 15kg, together with my weight, I did it but it came with a lot of pain and blisters galore. So I am packing as light as possible. Together with shedding about 5st in weight, hopefully. Look forward to your video blog on both of your walks. Good luck

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thanks for the comment! Enjoy the trail!

[@hadorstapa]

Great video, and awesome timing for me. I have a sabbatical next year and am currently planning out a route for the length of Scotland from Mull of Galloway to Easter Head via various paths including both of those. Thanks!

[@miker1645]

Great video, I've never done the walk before, doing it in March next year. I'm just checking it out to see what I'm letting myself in for haha

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

You've let yourself in for an amazing trip, thats what ;) Enjoy!

[@geoffreyboyling615]

The midge head net should be worn over a hat, like your wide brimmed hat. That way the net forms a curtain around your head, preventing the midges from reaching your skin, and it is easier to see out of too. If the net is in contact with your skin the midges can push just their heads through the holes and still bite you

[@izzynighraidm1473]

fab video as always.

[@dbltime]

Another great video. When will you be posting the coast to coast videos?

[@milupaoutdoor]

Hi Abbie. I start the WHW on Sunday 2. September. Maybe we meet us us on the trail for a little talk or a drink. That would be great!!! Greats from your biggest Fan from germany.....

[@sniffmatip3865]

Done the whw in July there, doing it again in October. Hope it's not too wet!!

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Enjoy it!!!

[@Normanskie]

I know the walk has been and gone but Nido Full Cream Milk Powder from any supermarket is a full fat cream and absolutely gorgeous, definitely heavy on calories.

[@almontepaolilli4909]

Great video.

[@matthewrandall9833]

Great video gave me a lot of ideas,would just like to ask do u ever have issues with ticks

[@Mindolluin]

Just a heads up that I'm also looking forward to your video from the WHW/GGW. I'll be walking there next May (if post-Brexit Scotland lets me in) and would very much appreciate the knowledge that can be gained from you videos.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thanks for this! It will be out in January hopefully(!!!!) - the 3min preview will be out first :)

[@ChiachargeCoUk]

We're tent buddies, that is a great tent :)

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Sure is!

[@robertboyle8552]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD In your video you didn't give it such a great review.?.

[@jeffscustomcarpentry6928]

Hi jeff from the states I wear darn tough socks that are made here in the states Vermont to be exact they are great and they are warranted for life anything happens to they will replace them for free

[@AmblingMan]

Planning to do the WHW in May, looking forward to your video of that. Also interested in your thoughts on the flight cover once you've used it.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

As in the bag that I put my pack in? Worked really well, very helpful :) Enjoy the walk!

[@AmblingMan]

that's the one, thanks :)

[@Rdeboer]

I packpacked the Great Glen Way last year over five days. It was tough going on the feet as my first three days were mostly on canal towpaths. You'll definitely want a head-net as the midges have been more numerous than usual this year, though there have been some colder nights so maybe they'll die down a bit. Good luck!

[@smoggiewalks578]

Planning my WHW for next May.

[@alpinium6175]

Martin Whittaker Perfect time! Barely no midges, they come out last 8 to 10 days at the end of May. Hiked WHW this year, 9 days no rain. Was great! 😊 Like more info, just press my picture and see my videos about the WHW (in English and German). Greetings Alpinium 🤠

[@smoggiewalks578]

Thanks for information. Appreciated. was going to be a sole hike but 3 work mates now joining me. Watching your videos 👣👣

[@terrygallant5948]

Abbie, loved this video and your Rob Roy Way video. I’ll be doing Rob Roy next Sept and am really wondering about the “bug” jacket you showed here. We’re you happy with how it worked for you and what was the brand? At 68, I’ll be walking it on my own and want to be well prepared.

[@stevensonrf]

Abbie, can you tell us what camera kit you use?

[@bilaltahir9978]

What worked for you better between the Avon and Smidge anti insect repellents?

[@mickr2731]

Interesting to see how other people pack. One thing I did notice was that you didn't mention a knife or other tool. I'd be lost without my swiss army knife for scissors or the blade for opening food packets cleanly or even for first aid applications. Do you not carry any multi tool system?

[@eisvogel8099]

I should have had a headnet while I was on Arran...I slept outside at the beach. Even if only my nose stuck out of my sleeping bag the midges would "eat it of"....

[@Mordred478]

I have walked, hiked and driven in the west highlands numerous times and found the climate chilly, wet and and windy, and one thing I don't ever remember encountering was a mosquito!;-) But this was ten years ago or more. Could it be that global warming has progressed so much in such a relatively short time that mosquitoes have for the first time made their way to Scotland? Incredible, if so.

[@smartsolutions8978]

I was eaten alive by mosquitos 20 years ago on the WHW...

[@mightymog100]

@@smartsolutions8978 midgies... not mosquitos... 😉

[@TBrewer64]

No tent?

[@judylloyd7901]

Hilleberg Akto tent. She mentioned it at 2:16 (but not very clearly).

[@johnw6389]

I was watching this and I thought to myself... "you'll never get the stuff back in the same way you take them out"... but you did....or was this a video editing trick?... :o)

[@rotaaable]

Thank you so much for this video. How about ticks and midges in particular? I'd really love to hike both the WHW and GGW but the thought of the numerous bites put me off. How was it? Did you struggle? Would you have chosen another part of the year if you were to hike these two again?

[@John-Adam]

what are you gonna choose instead of the akto????

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Who knows!! Im working on it!

[@tothemoon4770]

Sun cream lol I don’t think the scotts actually have a word for sun 😂 probably sorted it but it sounds like it’s the memory card. whole body is aching and I blame you haha i can’t thank you enough for that, I’ve been out more times this month then the last two years combined. Dried milk and hiker soap good things to have thanks for another great video very helpful

[@maymakes9007]

Where did you purchase your rucksack travel bag from?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

I think it was Go Outdoors?!

[@RobertoCampoliOfficial]

Hi Abbie hope you’re well. Been watching your videos and have found them very helpful over the last month or so. Not because before that they weren’t any good, just that I only found you a month ago ha. Anyway...I’m doing the west highland way this coming weekend and I’ve went overboard with weight. My tent is let’s say a bit overkill for this time of year and maybe I shouldn’t have bought a 4 season 4.7kg Alpkit Kangri but I just like my comforts too much! So my packweight without food is coming in at 19kg!!!! I’m tempted to just go for it but I’m very worried it’s going to ruin the trip for me. What was it like carrying 15kg and do you reckon you could have done it with 20kg? I’m not going to lie I’m not used to long distance walking but do regular mountain walks have done Helvellyn a couple of times in the last 2 months, snowdon and also Ben Nevis via the cmd arête. Of course I didn’t do these with 20kg but saying that I never travel light on any trips and I’m always that guy who everyone looks at and says wow that’s a big bag you’re making me feel better about my pack weight haha. Thanks and hope to hear a reply :) Ps keep up these vids they’re awesome

[@beammeup8458]

Osprey ??? Backpack ?? Which one ??

[@judylloyd7901]

Osprey Exos. You need to listen more closely 😊

[@martymerkler5472]

If your charger devices are not solar, you might find it handy to charge your phone. They are very inexpensive, reliable, light weight.

[@oliveribasta5929]

15,5kg?😮 You are a tough cookie.

[@maxflight777]

Best wishes with your hike Abbie. (If it's​ not appropriate for me to post the links .. I can edit this !) For those reading your post and curious about these hikes ... WHW ; kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKawqmeQfKybbpY and Great Glen kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4jGq5qKa9mCrqM

[@liketohike1589]

Why don´t you use light mineral water bottles. They are weighting just a third of such an aluminium bottle. How many pages do you wright every day? And this black camera bag. I guess it`s not water proof. I would take it out and try to find something lighter and maybe waterproof. When you like milk, milk powder could be an option even when it´s not tasting that good like normal milk. Instead of taking to many socks with me I prefer sealskinz membrane socks wearing some thin merino running socks under them. Works very good. When you have no problem to load your pack in order, I only use Toploader Rucksacks and when they are not waterproof themself I put one big durable plastic garbage bag inside like you do, but I just stuff my sleepingbag and sleeping mat down the bottom without any extra compresion bag. The compression bags (like the sleepingbag sack) are taking space away inside. Without it the equipment can spread out in any direction fills all corners to the sides and anyway when you compress everything step by step down you will get better compression more capacity out of it. The only thing that I would also change are you other bags. I would just use supermarketbags or transparent bags so you always know very quick where things are laying in. And to prevent that your Osprey Pack is soacking too much water in just impregnate the pack from all sides with Nikwax Tent and Gear Solar proof. It keeps the fibres dry so you don`t carry to much water extra with you, because the rain cover is not protecting the backside of the pack. The water finds it way at the shoulder straps behind inside the pack in heavy rain. Hike on

[@markalpha73]

Bin bags and carrier bags? What happens if they rip - you compromise your safety and dry equipment. I learned that the hard way after 12 years in the Infantry, drybags are essential.

[@liketohike1589]

@@markalpha73 Of course only take bin bags with strong material. In germany I generally get the most durable bags in 60 - 120 Liter size in DIY markets or maybe here: www.amazon.com/dp/B01E1WMA5A/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01E1WMA5A&pd_rd_w=0j4uv&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=aGud1&pf_rd_r=N9394VVW4VFRDJQYPVJX&pd_rd_r=3a9f2c64-b139-41d2-9293-5bc8d11328e5 And of course you leave the bag always in the backpack. And everything that comes inside this bag (in lighter extra bags rolled in) should be your "soft" equipment, no tent stakes and anything sharp. Another thing is to keep more water away from your backpack is this: www.amazon.com/dp/B002XZTNFS?aaxitk=DcDx4hm7punT3XrLgFOiEA&pd_rd_i=B002XZTNFS&pf_rd_p=9420597b-7dad-4cbd-a28d-7d676ac67378&hsa_cr_id=3185044300101&sb-ci-n=productDescription&sb-ci-v=Nikwax%20Tent%20and%20Gear%20Cleaning%2C%20Waterproofing%2C%20and%20UV%20Protection&sb-ci-a=B002XZTNFS The most expensive but easiest solution for now would be this: www.exped.com/germany/en/product-category/backpacks/expedition-65-black

[@stickyprickle]

Was it just poetic license but it looked like you picked up the wrong gas canister in Glasgow on the WHW video. Thanks for the content though

[@Normanskie]

Flip flop weighing, that is SOooo sad, I weighed 240 Teabags and then divided it by 120 giving the weight of 2 Teabags per day, now that's what I call SAD.

[@philholden1636]

Did I miss a sleeping pad?

[@judylloyd7901]

Yeah, roll mat, she calls it, at 21:48.

[@pauloferrara5893]

WHW is 96 miles not 76

[@I-_.-S--_._--D07]

thats the ggw...

[@davidkennedy9476]

Skin so soft isn’t as good as it used too be Avon changed the formula a few years ago when the country set started using it

[@markusmalik1]

A Goddess!

[@kwatyk]

Mosquitoes don't like the blue color. 💙🩵

[@nigelmiller407]

I think your carrying more weight than you actually need.

[@Andy-LucyGSD]

Doubling up on quite a few items?? I saved myself a lot of weight removing unnecessary/just to be safe items. I enjoy walking so much more for it. My base weight is down to 6.1kg, not Inc food, water and fuel. Going light weight is so much better for your joints etc.

[@doug6150]

Counting grams on flip flops but uses metal water bottle...why?

[@moustaphabaya7887]

You never know, she might have history with it or its simply just a confort item...

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thanks for this. Yes, I have my reasons :) They are special to me, but also mean Im not drinking plastic particulates (Y)

[@moustaphabaya7887]

Abbie Barnes | Song Thrush Productions, I knew there was a reason. Thanks for clearing it up! 😊