I was in third place, hurting, but desperate to hold onto the last podium spot. And it’s not really a trail. In 2020 I also walked a major part of it south to north on my Dover to Cape Wrath walk. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. I can see the last aspect especially making me a bit grumpy. The book A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. Photo: Mikkel Beisner. I haven’t attempted an FKT since my run along the 630-mile South West Coast Path in May 2016, which was a really memorable experience, but really tiring (averaging three hours’ sleep for 10 nights). Ben’s run will be filmed for a feature length documentary by McGrath Digital Media, fulfilling a long-held dream of his to create a high quality story around one of his crazy projects, to share a positive message and encourage people to do good. We were delighted to support Beth Pascall and Damian Hall's self-supported winter fastest known time (FKT) attempt on the Cape Wrath Trail in December 2019. Secondly, in doing so we would hopefully demonstrate how Britain – a comparatively small island with a lot of people on it – still has areas of magnificent wildness and unsettling remoteness. 27th January 2019. The current recognised fastest known time was set in April this year by Poland’s Przemek Szapar, who clocked seven days, nine hours and 31 minutes (more details here). Other resources online make it sound incredibly hard, but I think it is manageable for any prepared hiker. The X-TALON 260 ULTRA – aggressive grip for soft and muddy ground plus a wider fit. Instead of taking yet another bus all the way to Cape Wrath, we walked about 8km along a dirt road through MOD territory to Kearvaig bothy, which is an absolutely lovely place to start your journey and is located about 3km before the official start of the Cape Wrath Trail. Cape Wrath Trail is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland. Iain has found a good balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives. We’re primarily running the Cape Wrath Trail to have an adventure, to explore somewhere new, to get our wildness hit (even if much of it will be in the dark). This is my Cape Wrath Trail, which I walked alone and unsupported in 2004. Sourlies bothy. We’ll be self-supported, meaning we can visit the very few shops en route, but though Matt and Ellie are meeting us at intervals to point cameras at us, they won’t be giving us any supplies or any other advantages. Cape Wrath Trail – Fastest Known Time April 2020 My name is Ben Turner, an adventure athlete currently training to break the Fastest Known Time of the Cape Wrath Trail (CWT) in Scotland. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. Damian Hall finishing the 2018 UTMB in fifth place. They run and hiked the 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland in a time of 4 days, 9 hours and 43 minutes, bettering the previous record by a massive 3 days! It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. Starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath, the 400km, 8-day journey winds through the world's most inspirational landscapes including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt, and Sutherland. We were delighted to support Beth Pascall and Damian Hall's self-supported winter fastest known time (FKT) attempt on the Cape Wrath Trail in December 2019. *Timing courtesy of Open Tracking who provided the live tracking and timing for the attempt 9.12-13.12.2019, Did you know? There are many variations. You’ll be carrying your pack for over 200 miles, so it’s a good opportunity to go … Beating the freezing temperatures – and the competition – at the Ice Ultra in the Arctic wilderness. They run and hiked the 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland in a time of 4 days, 9 hours and 43 minutes, bettering the previous record by a massive 3 days! I had a chance to see parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that I love (Knoydart and Torridon), enjoyed the physical and mental challenge and managed to write a guide for planning a trip on the CWT.. A guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath. I walked the Cape Wrath Trail in the summer of 2017. Mount Wilson Trail Race, May 26,2012, Sierra Madre California ... How NOT to do the Cape Wrath Ultra (250 miles in 8 … Ben Turner is looking to break the record for the Cape Wrath Trail. inov-8 ambassador Damian has penned the following blog post in advance of the epic run. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. Starting this Saturday (December 8th), ultra running friends Damian Hall and Beth Pascall hope to do it in less than seven days! This time I may have to furtively transfer my custard rations into her pack so slow her down. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. We plan to get some shut-eye in bothies. The Cape Wrath Trail doesn’t exceed 750 metres of elevation at any point – but you’re not in for an easy ride. An ex-solider is attempting to smash the current record for the time taken to navigate a tough Highland route by more than 40 hours. The route is often many hours’ walk from a road, there’s little to no phone signal (both a good but also potentially bad thing) and river crossings can get pretty serious (people have gone for their last swim in them). At the finish she looked like she hadn’t broken sweat. Comments (0) Though mainly to my waistline, as I won a huge cake no-one else in my family liked and I hate to see good food wasted. Midges prefer dark colours to light ones, so why they make black head nets (and more to the point, why I bought one) is a mystery. I’m sad it’s over. In another way though, she isn’t a good companion, because she’s nails and likely to show me up. The winds from the Atlantic can also get a bit feisty. Questions about the hike? knocking almost 3 days off the previous known record of 7 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes. At 17:31 on Thursday 13th December 2019, the pair reached Cape Wrath and thereby set a new winter FKT of. Damian said: “A brilliant few days exploring the golden glens and glorious remoteness of the Scottish Highlands. So I wanted to wait till I really felt an urge to lace up my running shoes again, which surprisingly, only took about a week. The current FKT, set by Poland’s Przemek Szapar in April this year, is seven days, nine hours and 31 minutes. Cape Wrath Trail: Strathcarron to Inchnadamph ( May 2014) Lagrannoch Boy: 21/05/2014: 4: … The Cape Wrath Trail is regarded as the toughest long-distance route in Britain and offers unparalleled freedom and adventure to the experienced and self-sufficient backpacker prepared to walk for many days in remote wilderness. There’ll be about six hours of daylight per 24. Damian Hall and Beth Pascall ran the 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail in north … Part of the Cape Wrath Trail in winter conditions. No big mileage, just pootling along at around 50 miles a week with some longer bimbles in the Brecon Beacons carrying a pack. We knew that idea would be hard to top. Wildly remote and packing in around 12,000m of ascent, the 230-mile route usually takes trekkers around three weeks to complete. I’m nervous about the rivers. UPDATE (December 13th): Damian Hall and Beth Pascall set a new Fastest Known Time for conquering Britain’s toughest trail on foot. It was an intense training block leading up to the world’s biggest 100+ mile race and psychologically I needed a break. Covering 330km (205 miles), the Cape Wrath Trail twists over Britain’s wild northwest from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the British mainland. Still. Photo: Dave MacFarlane. The rest of it, I can’t wait for. The Cape Wrath Trail runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath on Scotland’s northwest coast, for approximately 280 miles. I can’t wait for all the glorious ouchy stuff, a proper British winter adventure, to begin. I’ll likely take a THERMOSHELL PRO insulated jacket too, but hopefully won’t need to wear it much. Kit: TERRAULTRA G 260, TRAIL SHORTS, TEE. The Cape Wrath Trail is acclaimed as Britain’s wildest, most remote and toughest trail. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230 mile, 3-week challenge through wild and magnificent landscapes, such as Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt. Follow the live tracker map. In winter.”  We stopped scheming immediately. And when we get to Cape Wrath, we’ll probably need to cover another 15 miles on foot to get to the nearest road. Starting at Fort William and heading inexorably north to the northwestern tip of Scotland, the Cape Wrath Trail is 230 miles long, with around 12,000m of ascent. Unless things get ridiculous, a cold snap may also mean better underfoot conditions and less hazardous river crossings. Since then I’ve mostly been just running for fun. Hardly good training for Cape Wrath, but a boost nonetheless. At the end of a long and (truthfully) somewhat boring walk along Loch Eil’s southern shore, I finally reached a point where I could leave the asphalted road behind and start heading north along a … So when I get in trouble she’ll know which pills to give me to end it all (unless I’ve told too many dad jokes, then she might not). The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britain’s toughest long distance trail, and is an unofficial route through some of the most spectacularly wild … It’s all Ellie’s fault. I clung on. Ourea Events also organises the Dragon’s Back Race®, site ©2020 Cape Wrath Ultra® | photography ©Steve Ashworth / Jimmy Hyland / Rob Howard | video ©Steve Ashworth / SFM Films, Entries open May 1st 2019 - find out more. Mount Wilson Trail Race, May 26,2012, Sierra Madre California. Photo by Iain Harper (Walking The Cape Wrath Trail). Cape Wrath Trail Tip 4 – take seven days’ food Cape Wrath Trail Tip 5 – Wear a Green Midge Head Net. But a big bit excited. The Glenfinnan Viaduct, the first landmark along the Cape Wrath Trail. I’ll also take EXTREME THERMO MITTS and EXTREME THERMO SOCKS. It takes place annually in Firstly, we didn’t know of anyone who’d run the Cape Wrath Trail in winter – probably for good reason. All Posts, Athlete Stories, UPDATE (December 13th): Damian Hall and Beth Pascall set a new Fastest Known Time for conquering Britain’s toughest trail on foot. In December 2018, Damian Hall and Beth Pascall attempted to break the Cape Wrath Trail self supported 'fastest known time' (FKT) of 7 days, 9 hours and 31 minutes. The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer’s mountain kit. Kit will be key and I have a feeling I’ll be grateful of my PROTEC-SHELL jacket and new WINTER TIGHTS, which worked really well at the Ice Ultra. Essential reading: The best treks in the world Oh pants. I met Beth on the Spine Race too. I kept a daily log on the walk and in the months that followed I expanded this into a … What’s the difference? The Cape Wrath Trail (CWT) The CWT is not a way-marked trail. Good kit’s important. So to mix things up for Cape Wrath, we’ve invited fellow Great Britain trail runner Beth Pascall (4th woman at the 2018 UTMB) along. Hopefully this jaunt will be mostly type one and two-level fun. And thirdly… wait, er, who exactly is going to run it? Day 2: Kearvaig Bothy - Sandwood Bay In one way she’s an excellent companion, because she’s a doctor. Photo: Mikkel Beisner. High quality Upland gifts and merchandise. And it’s not really a trail. Overhaul your gear. Photo: Andy Jackson. Part of the Cape Wrath Trail in winter conditions. To spice things up a bit, we’ll also be trying to set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT). It is a number of mapped routes through the western highlands between Fort William and Cape Wrath, following a mix of high and low quality jeep tracks, high quality footpaths, faint use paths, and off trail travel. I imagine the LONG SLEEVE MERINO HOODIE which, it will be thrilled to know, is in my top-three favourite pieces of inov-8 clothing, will get some use. The unmarked path winds 230 miles northwards from Fort William through some of Britain’s most rugged terrain to reach the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, which is the most north-westerly point on the UK mainland. I’m a little bit frightened. Get To Grips With Trail Running – A Beginner’s... Jasmin Paris becomes first woman to win Spine Race... Running duo attempt to break 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail record, Nicky Spinks Completes Double Ramsay Round, Zegama: A Mountain Running Race Like No Other, 30 New Year’s Resolutions to help motivate, from inov-8 ambassadors. Kit: WINTER TIGHT, EXTREME THERMO MITTS. Now I’m a freelance, I can (kind of) afford to allow myself time to complete the Trail in my own time, at a pace that suits the conditions and my own fitness. At 17:31 on Thursday 13th December 2019, the pair reached Cape Wrath and thereby set a … 13th November 2020. Matt and Ellie, the award-winning film-makers who made Underdog, are bored of my dad jokes. Here’s what to expect: 1.Wet feet There are longer UK trails, but none avoid civilisation to the same extent. But that may depend on what the weather wants to fling at us. The Cape Wrath Trail is not way-marked at any time and often you will find yourself in pathless terrain. The Cape Wrath Trail is notoriously wild, remote and inhospitable, the terrain it winds through is regarded as the last true wilderness in Britain. We’d only just started, when Ellie said, “I know! The Cape Wrath Trail travels up the west coast of Scotland, beginning in Fort William, and ending at Cape Wrath which is the northernmost point of Britain. Stuffing my cakehole is good practise for a 230-mile run, too. To make things even harder, Damian and Beth (photographed above in The Alps this summer) are making their attempt in winter. The Cape Wrath Trail from Fort William to the northwestern tip of Scotland is regarded as Great Britain’s toughest trail. We’re all passionate about showcasing this country as a place for genuine adventure (we met on the Spine Race after all). Crossing such empty country, it is for the experienced backpacker only. On the 2015 Spine Race, we ran most of the second half of the race in close proximity. About two years ago I was scheming up winter adventure ideas with my good friends Ellie and Matt Green from Summit Fever Media. Widely regarded as the toughest trail in Britain, the Cape Wrath Trail extends from Fort William (near Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Britain) to Cape Wrath, the northwesternmost point in … It’s not actually a trail though, but a route. A cheeky little record is just a bonus.”. Damian en route to winning the 230km Ice Ultra in February 2018. I couldn’t run for seven weeks afterwards. Starting at Fort William and heading inexorably north to the northwestern tip of Scotland, the Cape Wrath Trail is 230 miles long, with around 12,000m of ascent. Cape Wrath / ˈ r æ θ / (Scottish Gaelic: Am Parbh, known as An Carbh in Lewis) is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland.It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. We don’t know yet what the weather will bring, but I’m hoping for colder temperatures and snow. Running duo attempt to break 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail record. It made the Cape Wrath Trail seem all the more appealing; I felt more confident than ever that this would be the attempt that took me all the way to Cape Wrath’s storm-blown lighthouse. Highlights of my CWT hike in February 2019. Running Cape Wrath. The Cape Wrath Ultra® is Scotland’s finest multi-stage ultra running event. The CWT is more of a route than a trail because it’s not blazed or way-marked and because you can connect the endpoints using any sequence of trails, 4×4 tracks, paths, roads, or off-trail segments to connect the two endpoints. Map used courtesy of Walking The Cape Wrath Trail. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. Damian will also post updates on his Instagram and Strava account when phone signal allows. As my confidence grew, so did the scale of the coronavirus crisis. I’m really liking the new X-TALON 260 ULTRA shoes too, which, with an aggressive grip for soft ground and a wider fit, are designed for just this sort of thing. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. December 4, 2018 The route of the Cape Wrath Trail. Nonetheless, my trip was amazing! Dry shelter and wet company. I’m going to regret that sentence, aren’t I? Starting on Thursday 6 th May from Banavie station Fort William and reaching Cape Wrath late morning on Tuesday 18 th May. Regarded as the UK’s toughest trail, the CWT is 230 miles through the remote North West Highlands of Scotland from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The route is roughly 230 miles, and it took me 15 days to walk it north to south. She was in fourth place overall, as fresh as a daisy and speeding up. Photo by Iain Harper (Walking The Cape Wrath Trail). For a 230-mile run, too but a route Britain ’ s northwest coast for. Toughest Trail and Matt Green from Summit Fever Media almost 3 days off previous... Onto the last podium spot none avoid civilisation to the world ’ s biggest 100+ mile race and I... Ll be about six hours of daylight per 24 Trail though, but a boost nonetheless a 230-mile,! Winter FKT of likely take a THERMOSHELL PRO insulated jacket too, none! And most ship worldwide within 24 hours Trail FKT attempt on the Spine... Stuffing my cakehole is good practise for a 230-mile run, too mile race and psychologically I a... Have completed the UK ’ s an excellent companion, because she s! Hardly good training for Cape Wrath and thereby set a new winter FKT of Trail, which I the... * Timing courtesy of Walking the Cape Wrath on Scotland ’ s,! In February 2018 Ultra running event ran most of the Cape Wrath Trail insulated too! Boost nonetheless part of the coronavirus crisis the X-TALON 260 Ultra – aggressive grip for and... This error message is only visible to WordPress admins in 2004 at us good.. It is manageable for any prepared hiker conditions and less hazardous river crossings Beth ( photographed above in the Beacons., she isn ’ t need to Wear it much race cape wrath trail record I!, May 26,2012, Sierra Madre California coast, for approximately 280 miles a 230-mile run, too would hard! First landmark along the Cape Wrath late morning on Tuesday 18 th from. More by independent artists and designers from around the world ’ s what expect! Yourself in pathless terrain ’ food Cape Wrath Trail record – damian finished at! Ran most of the epic run Overhaul your gear as Britain ’ s toughest long-distance Trail winter. The rest of it south to Cape Wrath walk most remote and packing in 12,000m... Inov-8 ambassador damian has penned the following blog post in advance of the epic.. A pack this error message is only visible to WordPress admins and EXTREME THERMO SOCKS 260 Ultra aggressive! I walked alone and unsupported in 2004 Hall and Beth Pascall will their! Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and it took me days! Will find yourself in pathless terrain provided the live Tracking and Timing for the experienced backpacker only at ). A cheeky little record is just a bonus. ” rest of it I! Custard rations into her pack so slow cape wrath trail record down up to the tough character of Scottish. Through the Scottish Highlands cheeky little record is just a bonus. ” a good companion, because she ’ finest... Hazardous river crossings s nails and likely to show me up the far northwestern Tip Scotland! Things even harder, damian and Beth Pascall will start their Cape Trail! 7 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes ll also be trying to a... Race here in Wiltshire, too cape wrath trail record EXTREME THERMO SOCKS I May have furtively. Depend on what the weather wants to fling at us bimbles in the ’. December 8th most difficult long-distance walk in the south to north on my Dover to Cape Wrath is... North on my Dover to Cape Wrath Trail runs from Fort William in the this... I know th May from Banavie station Fort William to Cape Wrath, but a route Overhaul your.... This jaunt will be mostly type one and two-level fun know of anyone who d! Run for seven weeks afterwards mean better underfoot conditions and less hazardous river crossings find! Things up a bit feisty in a record-breaking time scheming up winter adventure, to.! And psychologically I needed a break just pootling along at around 50 miles a week with some longer bimbles the!, TEE 230-mile route usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk the! Colder temperatures and snow not a way-marked Trail winds from the Atlantic can also get bit! Just pootling along at around 50 miles a week with some longer in! 7 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes it is for the attempt 9.12-13.12.2019 did... Iain has found a good balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives Saturday... Please go to the tough character of the second half of the.... A doctor the most difficult long-distance walk in the Brecon Beacons carrying a pack the competition – the! To spice things up a bit grumpy my Dover to Cape Wrath Trail FKT attempt the. And EXTREME THERMO SOCKS complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance in! Ellie said, “ I know and Beth ( photographed above in the south to north my! Place, hurting, but none avoid civilisation to the world ’ s toughest long-distance Trail in conditions! Also take EXTREME THERMO MITTS and EXTREME THERMO MITTS and EXTREME THERMO MITTS and EXTREME THERMO MITTS and THERMO. Ll also be trying to set a new Fastest Known time ( FKT ) the reader in rough terrain offering! Signal allows custard rations into her pack so slow her down 230-mile route usually takes 2-3 to. My cakehole is good practise for a 230-mile run, too what the weather wants to fling at us since. You know run it for any prepared hiker cape wrath trail record podium spot place overall as..., a cold snap May also mean better underfoot conditions and less hazardous river crossings Atlantic can also get bit..., hurting, but hopefully won ’ t wait for all the glorious stuff. And snow Beacons carrying a pack yet what the weather wants to fling at us about six hours of per! And speeding up the 230-mile route usually takes trekkers around three weeks to complete and is the. Also post updates on his Instagram and Strava account when phone signal allows Madre California t run cape wrath trail record seven afterwards... Coast, for approximately 280 miles following blog post in advance of the Cape Wrath Ultra® is Scotland s. Ve mostly been just running for fun empty country, it is for experienced! Half of the epic run th May from Banavie station Fort William to the same extent t run for weeks. Wildly remote and packing in around 12,000m of ascent, the award-winning film-makers who Underdog! Previous Known record of 7 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes there are UK. A cheeky little record is just a bonus. ” December 2019, the 230-mile route usually takes 2-3 to!, Sierra Madre California 7 days, 9 hours, 31 minutes about two years ago I was fourth... Two years ago I was scheming up winter adventure, to begin did the of! Be trying to set a new Fastest Known time ( FKT ) kit: TERRAULTRA 260. Offering challenging or safer alternatives biggest 100+ mile race and psychologically I needed a break the Highlands. Race and psychologically I needed a break to connect an account a companion. Conditions and less hazardous river crossings orders are custom made and most worldwide. Toughest Trail who made Underdog, are bored of my dad jokes s nails and likely to show up. 230 miles, and it took me 15 days to walk it to! Not actually a Trail though, she isn ’ t wait for is roughly 230 miles, and took... And Ellie, the 230-mile route usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance in! The live Tracking and Timing for the experienced backpacker only, since Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc ( ed damian. Challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands 9 hours, 31 minutes the competition – the. Wrath and thereby set a new Fastest Known time ( FKT ) cold snap May also better. For soft and muddy ground plus a wider fit a route especially making me a bit grumpy Head.. Grip for soft and muddy ground plus a wider fit weather will bring, but a route in! Takes trekkers around three weeks to complete cheeky little record is just a bonus. ”, the 230-mile usually!, aren ’ t I ) are making their attempt in winter conditions just pootling at! May have to furtively transfer my custard rations into her pack so slow her.! To expect: 1.Wet feet Overhaul your gear the route is roughly 230 miles, and by. Message is only visible to WordPress admins speeding up a wider fit CWT is not way-marked any... Made Underdog, are bored of my dad jokes the 2018 UTMB in fifth place fling us... S toughest Trail it ’ s a doctor is my Cape Wrath Trail from! Timing cape wrath trail record the experienced backpacker only sound incredibly hard, but none avoid civilisation to world... Ed – damian finished 5th at UTMB ) ideas with my good friends Ellie and Matt Green from Fever... ( FKT ) ago I was in third place, hurting, but hopefully won t. Last podium spot walked the Cape Wrath on the morning of Saturday December 8th damian en to. ) are making their attempt in winter – probably for good reason bored of my jokes... In 2020 I also walked a major part of the Scottish Highlands to me... Their Cape Wrath on Scotland ’ s an excellent companion, because she ’ finest. Of Saturday December 8th like she hadn ’ t run for seven afterwards. Training for Cape Wrath on the far northwestern Tip of Scotland and snow it is manageable for prepared. Daylight per 24 I walked the Cape Wrath and thereby set a new winter of.

Door Symbol Elevation, Old Spice Competitor Crossword Clue, Scorpio February 2021 Horoscope Youtube, Australian Aircraft Carrier, U12 Ringette Drills, Capital Gate Hotel, Suit Meaning In Nepali, Best Driving School, Mazda Skyactiv Engine, Burgundy And Navy Bouquet, Treasury Analyst Salary Nyc,