solo hiking the Skye Trail | i had to quit halfway through

As soon as I completed the Tour du Mont Blanc last year, I knew I had to start planning another long distance backpacking trip. The Skye Trail, which is located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, seemed to be the perfect next solo adventure.
There were many challenges during the first few days of my hike, including one of the wildest windstorms (certainly the wildest I'd experienced from inside my tent), but the epic landscapes, kind strangers, and adorable baby lambs easily made up for it.
While celebrating reaching the halfway point in Portree, I developed food poisoning and ultimately decided not to continue the remainder of the hike. I was devastated, especially because this is considered the most inspiring portion of the trek.
Thank you for watching! I'm sorry I wasn't able to capture the full 80 miles of trail to share, but I hope to return someday to complete the route. There may yet be a part 2.
🤍 ⛰️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🌧️
Thank you to ‪@floordenil‬ for the inspiration and the lovely guide book!

[@PhotographybyPamHardy]

Your safety is so much more important than the disappointment you feel... you still had a lot of great experiences. I really enjoyed seeing your adventures!

[@mikhailalynn]

You’re so right! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@CC-gq7sx]

Wind is such an underrated weather challenge. I am amazed at how loud the wind made the tent sound that 1st night. I do not think I would have slept at all. Glad that you made the right decision to be safe on the remainder of your trip after getting food poisoning. A very smart and strong person is what you showed in this vlog. Look forward to the next adventure on this channel

[@mikhailalynn]

It really is! I’d never been in anything quite like that. Thank you so much for the kind words! Wrapping up my next backpacking adventure today 😊 featuring less wind but LOTS of rain 🌧️

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Amazing

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@MatteoSergenti]

Thk u! I love isle of Skye❤

[@mikhailalynn]

Yes, a beautiful location for hiking and exploring! ☁️

[@MatteoSergenti]

@@mikhailalynn 💪🏻🔝

[@RH-cp6xw]

Great video loved your adventure. Beautiful scenery. Sorry you got sick and had to alter your plan but unexpected things happen.

[@mikhailalynn]

So true!!

[@BigDogsRUSS]

N. Manitou Island is really pretty, hopefully you can enjoy it. Sorry for your troubles on this trip. It was interesting to see, much thanks for your work!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Lots of rain on North Manitou, but my friend and I have been able to make the most of it. Her first backpacking trip!! ☺️☔️

[@thegreg79]

Beautiful scenery, even more beautiful woman! Love your videos!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!!

[@darrellsheffield8283]

No regrets, you still had a great adventure! Glad you are well and getting back on trail. Thanks for sharing your trip!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! The first four days of hiking were well worth it 🙌🏻

[@KamieOutdoors]

I’m so sorry that your beautiful adventure in Scotland was cut short. But so glad you made it back home and feel recovered. The video was breathtaking to watch, so I can imagine how much more it was in person.

[@mikhailalynn]

Yes, it was so breathtaking in person! 🌊🐑

[@authormikemontie250]

Amazing scenery. Another excellent video Mik.

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@floordenil]

Aaaaah I love this 😍 Such ptsd from hearing that windy tent on the first night 😂 Scotland wind can be ruthless, eh. But damn, what a bummer you had to stop your trip so early… I’m sure you’ll be back one day, so you can see the Northern part of the trail. Better to do it later in one stretch and enjoy it fully than see some parts of it now while being sick. You’ll be stunned, I’m sure ❤️. Well done on the Southern stretch, you definitely encountered some hard challenges!! 💪🏼🌸

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you so much for watching!! You have been such an inspiration to me to pursue solo backpacking trips, and it has been life-changing 😊 I think you’re right about doing the Northern part in one stretch, and I hope to do so someday. Looking forward to watching your cape wrath video! 🙌🏼

[@bigdamn5916]

Great video! No shame in realizing when it's time to quit. Really looking forward to the North Manitou island video. I'm considering doing a solo trip there next year. I'm from Iowa, so Michigan is pretty much the coolest place to go that isn't a 12+ hour drive.

[@mikhailalynn]

North Manitou Island is beautiful! The ferry situation is a little tenuous still. I hear they cancelled future trips for now, but I hope you can get out there next year!

[@bigdamn5916]

@@mikhailalynn I hadn't heard about that. Is it weather related?

[@mikhailalynn]

I think mostly dock related. They aren't super comfortable with the new dock that was put in.

[@bigdamn5916]

​@@mikhailalynn Shit, in that case I'll let them get me as close as they can and make a swim for it so I get the island all to myself. Well, unless I drown. 🤞 Thanks for the heads up!

[@mikhailalynn]

@@bigdamn5916 😂

[@MiscellaneousMidwest]

Aw, can hear the disappointment in your voice during the outro. Totally understandable but no need to apologize. Hoping Michigan will bring the spirits back up. Food poisoning has happened to me abroad. Absolutely miserable experience. For the ground you covered it still looked incredible out there. You're a trooper, onto the next!

[@mikhailalynn]

It was definitely disappointing, but I appreciated being able to relive the highlights as well while putting together this video. Michigan was a blast!!

[@campbub]

One thing i have observed while doing extended hiking trips is .. For all the beauty, their is a price to pay.. A balance is struck.. but often it’s at the opposite sides of extreme.. Part of the price we pay to enjoy such beautiful places ❤ Just got back from hiking isle royale .. 5 nights 6 days We did about 50 miles.. After a 13 mile day we ended up at Lane Cove.. an absolute beautiful cove! Then the black flys came in droves 😱 wasn’t able to sit in tent as the sun was to strong.. ended up sitting outside in the shade and dealt with the mosquitoes 🦟 ( at least you can spray for them ) Then a massive thunderstorm came in off the lake.. at one point the wind gust was so strong it almost snapped my tent! Lightning was crashing all around us.. We seen two moose 🫎 Many foxes 🦊 one black one.. Many loons 🦆 Snakes 🐍 Rabbits 🐇 One wolf 🐺 If i was to put our experience on the island in two words, it would be ~ Beautifully Unforgiving

[@mikhailalynn]

You’re so right! The highs and lows are so extreme when doing these sorts of trips. I know the black fly struggle after my recent weekend on North Manitou 😅😆also SO cool you got to see a wolf!

[@ervinslens]

Such a great place to explore. Enjoyed watching your awesome video my friend!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you for watching!!

[@dwayne5698]

Well, it wasn't a failed trip. Backpacking alone always brings certain risks with it. Getting sick is one of them. But it's still an adventure. There are no failures. And you got to enjoy a few days site seeing you wouldn't otherwise have had. Win/win!!! Just glad you're safe and sound. And NEVER eat oysters away from home....ever!!!!!! Ha!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you ☺️ I agree, while I was disappointed in the moment still so grateful for the time I had on trail. It will be years before I try another oyster I’m sure 😅🦪 and never again away from home!

[@ivan11cast]

Wow such a beautiful place and lovely trails. Sucks about the credit card thing, that kind of stuff always happens to me on vacation as well, gives me tons of anxiety 😤

[@mikhailalynn]

It truly was! Haha I know right - that kind of thing always seems to happen at the worst possible time 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@Valleystone-gear]

Nice trip❤

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you!

[@kjsneed]

Watched your video and thought how courageous it was! Absolutely beautiful views! I'm sorry to hear about your illness. When you mentioned eating seafood, I thought, oh no! .... Do you have any forum to answer questions for a beginner? Like how do you know where to camp? Tips in preparation for stays along the way .... I'm just curious. Good luck with your new adventure in Michigan. I was also looking at Isle Royal National Park. Great videos!

[@mikhailalynn]

Thank you! I don’t have a great forum for questions other than the comments section or via instagram @mikhailalynn, but happy to help as I can. I used hiking guidebooks (like Cicerone) to plan out how far I would go each day and where I would stay, and I booked airbnbs for the night before my hike and the midway point a few months in advance (they fill up early on the Isle of Skye). Isle Royale is amazing! They have many designated campsites across the island, so you can pick and choose a route based on number of miles you want to hike each day.

[@jimwlouavl]

Sounds really disappointing but glad you’re well and safe.

[@mikhailalynn]

Agreed!!

[@arnoldzavala8252]

What tent(s) are you using these days on your backpacking trips Mikhaila? Such a beautiful place, and my sympathies, I hope you can return one day to finish the Skye trail :)), no matter what youre life will surely be filled with just as wonderful adventures P.S. your Grand Canyon Adventure really inspired me, and my best friend and I followed the same trails as you did on our 3 day backpacking trip in the canyon this past spring :))

[@mikhailalynn]

I have two tents - my zpacks duplex for longer backpacking trips where I’m trying to conserve weight and space (like the Skye Trail) and my REI Trail Hut 2 for shorter trips or trips with friends (like the Grand Canyon or my current trip on North Manitou Island). Thank you for the thoughtful comment! It makes my day to hear you were inspired somewhat by my video, and I’m so glad you got to experience that hike in the Grand Canyon - incredible!!