A Horrible Day On The West Highland Way (WHW EP1)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- A last minute change to my plans nearly derails my entire 100mile hike of The West Highland Way. In this video I cover Glasgow to Milngavie to Drymen.
KEY KIT
Suunto Race Watch: geni.us/BDIUpZ
Suunto Wing Headphones: geni.us/H5TMDG
Pure Clear Soft Flask Filter: geni.us/5tybvu
Exped Ultra 0 Sleeping Bag: geni.us/9wULKH6
Exped Ultra 3R Medium Wide: geni.us/dHq8pkW
OTHER KIT:
Noord Waterproof Socks: geni.us/RhpEw
Lock Laces: geni.us/BqE3B
Altra Olympus 5: geni.us/NcYUS
Harrier Helvellyn Poles: geni.us/MXSpQ
Lomond Insulated Jacket: geni.us/ch9gZbF
Exmoor Waterproof Jacket:geni.us/9aAA2Fq
Instinct Alpi 40: www.instincttr...
Durson X-Mid 1 Tent: durstongear.com
DJI Pocket 3: geni.us/BYNsi
DJI Action 4: geni.us/OQqWM
DJI Mini Pro 4: geni.us/53PD7H
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In your Messner video you mentioned how people love watching videos with miserable trips where backpackers suffered. Watching this video made me agree with you. I was entertained even more than usual by this one.
😂 I told you!
If it makes you feel better we went two miles in completely the wrong direction on one day of WHW. Made a 16 mile day a 20 miler and we were veeeeery unhappy about it!
Did something similar towards the end of this one 😂🙈
@@StephenJReid So many paths look logical and tempting, and they're not the way!
Yep same as 😂 day 1 i went right at the road and down the hill following the road instead of left along the road for 100 metres and through the gate 😂 😅
I did the same thing. Walked an extra 6 hours unnecessarily. Arrived in Tyndrum at 8:45!
the kelvin way from glasgow to milngavie is a bit more interesting
Don’t know that existed! Sounds much nicer
I wish they would add that to the WHW to be honest it's a great start to the hike and takes it all the way into Glasgow centre.
Coming to Scotland and complaining about getting wet is like going to the Costa Del Sol and complaining about sunburn.
Welcome to Scotland, mind the locals.
The locals were all complaining about the weather too😂 and apologising for it. Exactly the same as when someone comes over to Ireland
I did not miss the irony of a video sponsored by Suunto where you get lost at 3:40. As a person from NI you should not be surprised when you arrive at a café to discover it closed 30 minutes earlier. Good video. Enjoyed that
I managed to get lost twice on one of the best waymarked trails in the UK, while wearing a GPS watch with the map 🤣 Never underestimate my ability to daydream. In fairness to the watch it was trying to warn me but I had put it in silent mod
@@StephenJReid 🤣
ah yes the grassland haggis!!! also watch out for the highland haggis, they have 2 legs shorter than the other so they can stay level as they run around the hills clockwise.
That would explain that weird noise during the night. 😂
I started the Cotswold Way with some similar stupid mistakes. "I'll pick up breakfast when I get to the trailhead". Well, torrential rain the night before caused a landslide which blocked the bus getting to Chipping Campden which meant a 5 mile hike across "footpaths" to rejoin a mile down from the official start. I had no food other than water. It was cow-fields all the way, and knee deep mud. I ended up doing 24 miles that day, and it rained and even turned into blizzards later on.
No shame what so ever in being a wee girly and wimping out in a glamping pod.
Don't listen to the nasty trolls.
Great vid so far, gonna watch the rest of them.
I’m enjoying watching these for the third time as I kill time before my coach to get up to Glasgow to start the WHW! Really enjoy your videos and commentary!
Three times! Wow, that’s quite the compliment 🙂
@StephenJReid you have a great fun nature about you and honesty, showing good and bad, plus enjoy the fun nature including the midge song, so may have to have my own sing along to it on my way as I get into Glasgow at 7am tomorrow and will head straight to the start!
Well done for staying so positive, very entertaining video as always. Not sure how you managed to get lost on the WHW though! Keep up the good work!
I’m very skilled at getting lost 😂 to be fair I’d had 2hours sleep and wasn’t quite present
That was a hard slog Stephen. Fair play to ya for keeping the spirits up 😁
Thanks Mark 😁
I've started trusting Ziploc bags more than dry bags these days😂
I had a few of those too!
Love it Stephen, me and Sandi did the WHW a couple of years back and managed to miss every shop and café on the whole route! We eventually got to Kinlochleven and managed to get into the pub for a meal! Looking forward to your walk down Loch Lomond took us 14hrs 😬
Loch Lomond is a long stretch
@@StephenJReid it should be banned 🤣
Speaking of Messner I just watched his West Highland Way videos and he had weather like on the Amalfi Coast ... how did you get all the rubbish weather? 😁
Would you believe I had originally planned to go that same week!
Great video, however your spelling of Milngavie (and yes I know how to pronounce it correctly) at 3 minutes into the video was rather grating. Having said that - great laughs!
Glad it didn’t put you off too much. I actually doubled checked the spelling and somehow my brain didn’t see the problem 🙈
Wow I'm so glad my friend show me your channel, and was they right yeah I'll give it a go , sorry but there's something about someone else's misery that I find funny.SORRY because I really want you to have a great time. because then we will with you, and.we always go for the undogs. Because were British ,well UK.so thanks for the funny beginning and like you say the only way is up from here.. so let's do this together, thank you so much because I'm hooked.see you soon Alan from my sofa LUTON 💯⛺🍻👍👍
Haha thanks Alan! There’s a lot more misery to come, especially on day 4 🙈
6:49 One reason why I didn't stop to do the distillery tour just back from here. Had you a Trailblazer guide you'd know there was somewhere to eat (Turnip the Beet) just a bit further along! I had rain but mostly the light stuff & not for too long. Blessed with dry days & a lot of sunshine most of my trip (beg July). I have to say walking in those conditions would have put a damper (excuse the pun) on my spirits too!
Edit: Aye the dreaded Loch Lomond lies ahead. Miles of it. But how hard can it be walking beside a loch?
Excellent video, as us Scottish say, you're a fanny. Regardless if your £20 richer 😝
Ballymena folk are near as tight fisted as the Scottish 😂
Im sorry but it did make me giggle! So looking forward to this series!
😁 Thanks Kath
Is it strange that this video makes me want to do the WHW even more now 😂. Brilliant first day. I'm glad you filmed it. I think you made the right choice about the pod too. When's the next one out?
Do it! Such a great trail to do
Excellent! The reverse psychology worked 😂
I did the WHW years ago loved it, although very spoilt by using inns etc …. I never got lost though🤣🤣🤣 My son and daughter in law did the final sections last year, got totally soaked ….. but didn’t get lost either 🤣🤣🤣. Loved the video one of the best WHW ones I’ve seen, cannot wait until the next episode
It’s a very well catered trail, I only ever had to carry one meal at a time.
Rowadenan to Inversnaid= hell
I’ve enjoyed your first film in the series and I’m so glad you share so honestly. I think just as we take the tough breaks and crack on - like torrential rain - we should also take the helpful breaks - like the glamping pod - when they present themselves. Unless you’re doing an SAS style survival trip then for me it’s about being reasonable and smart to make the journey more enjoyable. You’re still hiking 100+ miles, you’re still carrying all your gear, you’ll still be using your tent. We don’t live outdoors, and I’m sure that people who lived in the glens had hints, tips and tricks to make life more bearable and still avoided any unnecessary discomfort or misery! Nice one 🙏
Thanks! Yeah absolutely, what's the point in taking time away to be miserable for a week.
As a contrast to this I did the WHW during a heatwave ad got absolutely roasted, no water to be found anywhere either. Felt like hiking in the Mojave desert rather than Scotland. I was totally unprepared for those conditions too.
Honestly I’d rather have rain than a proper heatwave. Hot weather is fun for a couple of hours. But days in it with sweating and salt build up on skin and chaffing etc is horrible. I’d have walked at night and slept during the day 😂
Can't believe you were actually calling the haggis! You're asking for trouble there! But no justification needed for staying in the pod. As my dad used to say, any fool can be uncomfortable!
The wise thing would have been to have stuck to my original plan and spent the night in the premiere inn before starting 🫣
@@StephenJReid It did look tough although the pod looks amazing!
Perhaps get yourself a Buffalo fleece, if they still make them, highly recommended.
I feel you, was walking the WHW begin of Oct ´22 - heavy rain 85% of the time and ended up using pods as of Tyndrum to sort of get my kit dry. My Arcteryx Beta kept me dry though - weight is not always the key factor 😅
If anyone could keep going through that weather and nothing open it would be you 👌 looking forward to the rest of the series 💪
Thanks Dave! Thankfully this was the worst day but there was more rain
Sitting here in the warm and dry and living my hiking life vicariously through you on TH-cam I feel fully justified in being a keyboard warrior and calling you a weaner for not camping in the pouring rain whilst already soaked!😂
😂
The video TH-cam recommended after this was "Surviving ticks and midges in Scotland" lol. Those are the things that put me off far more than bad weather. I seem to be one of those people that attracts them more than most
I do have a couple of run ins with midges and ticks in later videos in this series. I hate ticks more than midges.
Your so funny and refreshing most videos are people making it look easy peasy it's NOT !!!! I know ive done it 😫 thanks for sharing 🤪
Always amazed how few use a brolly...)
Hiking in the rain is so much better.
Think next time I might just bring one!
Hmm, interesting idea, hiking with an umbrella! You could be right.
Walked it in Sept 2022, only had 30 mins rain over 8 days. Zero blisters. Legs did hurt and got very jangly. Put it down to not taking electrolytes. I'm walking this Sept again but a day quicker. Hope I learn by my mistakes. Lol looking forward to your journey.
I think I had rain at least once every single day. There’s a horrendous blister coming up on day 4/5
Bud you walked right past the honesty box on the bridge ! I don’t think I had to look at a map once how did you manage to get off the route so often?
I think I was incredibly tired and distracted that first day 😂 walked all day on 2 hours sleep. Also turning off notifications on the watch was a bad idea. Didn’t get lost again
Because its funnier 😂
Thank you for your suffering, I have been flat out with covid recovery for two days, so our shared misery relieved mine tremendously! Thank you!
Glad it helped 🙂Covid is miserbale
Another cracking video dude! I’ve spent a lot of time in the Loch Lomond area and the rain there is wetter than any other rain I have ever experienced. It is beautiful though.
Even your worst days have lightness in them and that is one of the reasons we love your content.
Keep up the excellent work.
Definitely damper than usual rain 🙈 glad you enjoyed it
Good job you didn't get eaten by the haggis 😂
Narrow escape!
Dude I have camped in the worst storm the U.K. has to offer, I’ve walked the coast path right around Cornwall and what I know now , I would have taken the pod lol 😂 especially knowing I can dry my kit it’s a game plan, great video buddy.
😂 Dry kit vs wet kit is two entirely different days
Thinking about it, this was one of the worst weeks for weather in Scotland in ages. Three people died in the highlands that week. Never underestimate Scottish weather.
Was a rough week. I was in Glencoe the same day that father and son went missing, tragedy.
@@StephenJReid Yea I was solo camping at the at the Lost Valley the Monday before. Shocking and so very very sad.
Okay, the Haggis-Sign must be knew, cannot remember it last Autum in 2023. By the way. would have been the perfect weather for a stop at the GlenGoyne Distillery for a tour and a dram....but you are not into Whisky, aren't you? Had the same after the Distillery, the Beech-Tree was closed and had to walk to the next shop for some food.
Sign looked quite new, but I’ve seen it pop up in a few places on social media
the railway to KILLIN built before Custer was famous
Love the midgey song 😂😂😂
It’ll be charting soon 😂
i once had 2 cats named Haggis and Neeps. Never managed to get a Tatties though.
Yeah, Scotland. You can be lucky with the weather, or not.... :D With my WHW-Adventure in 2023 I was unbelievable lucky with a lot of sunshine and nearly no reain. This year on the Rob Roy Way it was totally reverse... :D
Similar to Ireland, no guarantees. Last 2 years I was in Scotland that week it was glorious
On a walk that is overly documented this was really entertaining. Gutted you missed that first food stop, its a fab place. No idea how you missed the honestly box though lol. It is directly after the bridge, maybe lets just blame the rain for hiding it.
Thanks Barb! Yeah tons of videos about the WHW so I’ve tried to try and make my series bit different from what else is out there. I’m guessing the 2hours sleep the night before may have given me tunnel vision
Dont know if you follow him but Paul Messner did it last week. sun shone every single day. think you may have scudded it. good luck though!
Would you believe I had originally planned to do it the same week as Paul 🙈
Would also avoid using crap like suunto watches anywhere except on a well marked trail. My friend has one, had some hilarious deviations from the true and trusty garmin epic plotted routes both in south wales and Dartmoor so far. They are fine for what they are but as the saying goes, buy once cry once😢
Had no issues with the watch so far apart from me switching off the notifications so I didn’t notice when I went off trail. Lasts a lot longer than my Garmin between charges. But I’ll see how it performs long term
ill beat your clamping pod lol when I did it 2yrs back for the 7th time... the weather midway was torrential.. tent, sleeping bag, everything got wet.. got to kings house and booked took a room a large room to have space to hang everything up and dry it off while it thundered and chucked it down outside. it was worth it for the dinner and the breakfast haha.
Haha excellent, that sounds much nicer than my unheated glamping pod!
Coming from the rainforest of Florida … ok ok.. tropical rainforest- in my paradigm, I’m envious of the scenery you get to hike. Granted, it may be your superb video editing and post production skills, but what I would trade to experience what you’re showing. I was wondering if it was cold where you are and if so would understand the misery. But you did state it was not; therefore it is a complete dichotomy to witness such a frown on your countenance in the backdrop of such wonder.
Just wait till you see the landscape later on! This first section was boring my comparison
At least you don't have Aussie drop bears there!
100% the right call. Wet kit is miserable and can be really dangerous. Enjoyed this vid and subbed - thanks!
Thanks Mat! Next one is just out 🙂
Oh no! Sounds like you had a rough first day...But the place is amazing sir
Yeah amazing but damp and cold first day 😩
@@StephenJReid oh noo . A hot cup of coffee/tea always helps me on these days. What's your go-to way to warm up? and a rain coat
Eating something usually helps warm me up. Or just move faster 😂
@@StephenJReid ha ha a foodiee in fitness
Even in downpours you manage to keep your mind on getting (b-role) video. Kudos! Bet all that rain was interfering with the GPS, hence you missed things here and there ;-)
Haha the GPS was fine, I just wasn’t checking it properly 🙈
sir u are obv quite quite mad.. i shall be waching more :)
Great video Stephen, hell of a start to a hike 2 hours sleep is eyyy. Made that mistake earlier this year for the Skye trail with a 3h ferry and a 7h drive, needless to say I am never making that mistake again... Hope you got a bit better weather later on, this May has been turbulent compared to last year, and constantly worrying about keeping electronics alive from the water is not much fun over a long hike.
May last year I had a glorious 3 days on Islay & Jura, it’s usually a consistently good month.
Yeah next time after a lot of travel I’m going to prioritise a decent sleep before starting!
Absolutely hilarious from my comfy couch! By the way, today's in here we have 26°C, I live in southwest of France ;))
Happy for you 😂
Aw man, I thought the midgies were bad in the Mournes…they look even worse in Scotland!
My worst midge experience by far was in the Mournes. Thankfully, I was only really bothered by them one morning in Scotland this time.
Love it! Great, great content. Very enjoyable!
Rain and midges. Ah a lovely slice of schadenfraude with my breakfast. Hope the weather improves!
It improves a bit 😂
despite the inconvenience of having to clean a pot, I prefer the packets of Soba noodles to the pot type. Cheaper, more in them, and pack easier (states internet man after briefly glimpsing minor background detail during video)
I usually just grab one of the ziplock camping meals for the convenience. Plus you can use it as a pee bag after 😂
I still need to do this. I've cycled parts of it but need to do the walk maybe in the next month or 2. I'd better cut my toe nails first to avoid the haggis.
I met a very unhappy cyclist on the Loch Lomond section. He was pushing his bike for about 5miles
Jeezo what a night mare. Beavers had reasonable weather, Messner had brilliant weather, and you drew the short straw. Timing I guess. Still you survived a walk through Glasgow which is worth an award on its own. Entertaining as always Stephen. ATB.
On the bright side maybe I’ll get the more unique video cause I’m miserable for half of it 😂
A light weight umbrella is a must in summer and in " rainy " conditions ......
Any recommendations?
The display on the watch looks great. My old Fenix 5 has mapping but its too small to see.
Yeah the screen on this is huge, makes my garmin watch look tiny
Boosting for the algorithm 🙌 Love your work, keep it up! 🌻🐝
You're a legend, thanks so much ☺️
Bloody hell mate that’s rough 🤦♂️
I hope it gets better for you.
Atb Graham
Thankfully this was the worst day, but there was more rain…
Oh man - what a day😱😱
Still - it makes a better story and is more entertaining for us 😬🤔
Yeah the knowledge that my misery would be entertaining definitely helped 😂
Great first video, looking forward to watching the rest of Stephen's adventures in Scotland
Lots more to come 🙂
It is amazing how often when you decide to drastically change plans on a wild camp, it turns out to be completely the right decision. If you had got your sleeping bag wet that’s a serious problem. Great call and means you survive to fight for another day.
Yeah wet sleeping bag would have been a disaster.
7:57 well thats an insta sub from me 😭😆❤
Can't wait for next episode, its so funny and more real to show the bits that go wrong. Great vid, you've got a talent for humour.
Thanks! Loads more to come and a mix of topics 🙂
The food situation alone would have made me have a child like tantrum. You did good 👍
Was not happy about that at all! 😫
Oh I did laugh at your first day on the west highland way not nice but funny 😂
Thanks 😂 it gets better
From the state of the weather and the midges I’m glad I did my hike up the WHW in April!
I’ve mixed feelings about the time of year. Apart from the weather and midges, everything looks a lot nicer in late may as the trees have all their leaves and flowers and birds are out. I’d considered April but it was still below 5C a lot of nights so I’d have ended up carrying a lot more kit.
Funny, entertaining and informative. Great vid. Looking forward to episode 2
Thanks! Working on episode 2 right now
Thank you for the ear worm that is the midgey song 😂. That's going to be in my head all day 😂.
😂 you’re welcome
Great video Stephen... fingers crossed for some better weather for the rest of your trip
This was the worst day thankfully. Although there was more rain
Done it once and attempted twice. First attenpt was when it opened. I was 14. Did Milngavie to past Balmaha and a storm hit. Second failed attempt didnt even start. Covid Lockdowns hit and scuppered it.
Never had good weather on it.😂
I had rain at least once every day. If I'd gone on my original dates it would have been very nearly all week 🙈
@@StephenJReid Aye, those pods are handy if you can get them.
Really entertaining video. Can’t wait to see the rest of the WHW.
Thanks! Next one is out 🙂
Ahh I've only watched the first 1min and you've had a right mare it's such a great trail I hope episode 2 you've found your barring
More drama to come but this was the worst weather day
@StephenJReid my first day was the worst for the rain other than that was beautiful sunshine look forward to the next one
Your singing is probably enough to keep the haggis at bay.
That would explain why. I didn’t see any!
How was the Decathlon rain jacket? I just bought one as a lightweight solution. I'm a bit worried it might be a bit sweaty.
It completely wet through that day. But it was fine for lighter rain. I bought it because it’s only 210grams and packs small. All lightweight waterproof jackets get sweaty in warm weather
@@StephenJReid Yeah, I bought it for the weight and would only really be using it in late spring, summer and early Autumn.
I think nearly any jacket would wet out in that rain. Wish it had pit zips but that would add weight. Defo a big weight difference for the jacket and trousers compared to my goretex stuff.
Probably going to be one of the best WHW video series so far, from first impressions! None of that heat and sunshine, but disapointed with the lack of midges 👍
Thanks! 🙂 trying to have different topics for each video. Second one is up. Midges weren’t as bad as I expected. Worse at home currently
@@StephenJReid Yes, I've done both a you've read by now. Midges? GuessI'm lucky being on the North Downs, Eng. but we still have ticks...😉
There’s only one thing worse than a whingeing poppy that’s a stupid one
What are you on about?
It’s my life’s mission to find a truly waterproof camera bag. That can store drones and video gear
There are some roll top waterproof bags that are 100% waterproof in any conditions, Red Paddle make one. Just put a camera insert in it,.
@@StephenJReid yeah I have one and they are ok just not up to the riggers of boat and salt life
❤ it looking 4D 2 the rest hope it got better 4u😊
Thankfully this was the worst weather day, but plenty more rain to come 🙈
Come rain or shine you always keep the humour 😂
I get quite grumpy on day 4 😂
Pea in a .......
Fantastic entertainment, thank you so much.
Thanks Richard! 🙂
Your waterproof jacket looks like the Decathlon trail running jacket. I have one and love it. Also love the videos, great balance of humour, information and entertaining to the end.
Yup same one. It’s very lightweight but didn’t stay waterproof for long in those conditions. Was soaked to the skin by the end of the day
@@StephenJReid that was some amount of rain to be fair. I run maybe 30 mins max wearing it. I do not think a bin bag would have kept you dry in that rain.
Pack liner… surely a basic requirement for Scotland
All my essential & dry stuff was in dry bags, but my waterproofs completely wetted out so I was soaked to the skin and had to put on wet clothes the next day.
@@StephenJReid yeah, but honestly a pack liner is always a great shout for Scotland in addition to the dry bags. Saves handling lots of wet little bags, weighs next to nothing.
Loved your song ;-) I'll keep it in my mind for when I'm on the track
it's almost impossible to get lost on the WHW!!!
Almost…
Thank you for the laughs!
Thanks for the comment!
Well done for staying positive . How you managed to get lost on your first day is certainly puzzelling . Good stuff cheers
2 hours sleep didn’t help, think I was sleep walking parts 😂
Remember Stephen, you suffer so we don't have to...
😂 you’re welcome
Just wait until you see my blister surgery on day 4!
@@StephenJReid ARGHHH!!
Brilliant!
Looks loads of fun and such an adventure!
Thanks Bruce, lots more to come.
@@StephenJReid Looking forward to it as always 😄
What did the haggis 😮say to the other haggis 😮want tae shag is 😂your welcome 😎
🙈
@@StephenJReid tough crowd 😂😎
Great video Stephen, very entertaining 😊
Thanks Brian
@@StephenJReid you’re most welcome ☺️
I am entertained 😂
Then my misery was worth it