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I'd reduce the distance or extend the time tbh
The West side is the way I'd head but 30 miles with the Rhinogs stuck in the middle is a hell of a day. I'd do a lot of google earth making sure there is some resemblance to a track on the ground, the Rhinogs are pretty bleak on a foggy day, I'd be brushing up on my map and compass skills, I've only walked them once but I'm not sure if there is an actual track that goes over the Rhinog peaks, the Arenigs across the way are worth a look too.
Again, sections across Llantwrtd can be very bleak, and horrible going (tussucky hell) up steep banks - I'd look to fit in the Drygarn Fawr cairns on the way through.
You could probably get bothy to bothy down if they're open by then, that in itself would present a pretty good challenge.
I'd just be very weary, on a nice sunny day it'll be an absolutely fantastic day out and you'll have clear views of whats in front of you, and on the map. With low cloud and terrible visibility that game changes very quick, it's Wales so you'll never be too far from a road (if you can find it) I've been walking out the back of Afan Arban and came very very close to turning an ankle off a tussock, had to pull myself together a bit and walk it off (not easy with a 3 day sack on) if you're up that way and something goes wrong there's a good chance of no phone signal and no one else will be wandering past for a few days at least, made me very aware so I'd keep that in mind.
I hope I reach retirement at an age where I can do those walks in good health, without the restrictions of short time periods.
You could look at something based on the Dragons Back route. - It certainly picks up some of the best hilly bits. A bit of careful planning should allow you to re supply on route.
Don't forget about the climbing and the terrain. Both will slow you down and sap your energy. If 20 miles on a flat, relatively even, dry surface is doable in a day, you might struggle to do much more than half that if you are fighting over undulating stuff, with muddy paths, bogs, heather/bracken etc. You can easily "waste" an hour on the trail stopping for photos, a brew, a pee, lunch, mapreading etc. If you are used to bike packing you'll know how much time pitching and sticking camp, making food etc takes. If you are going for a week you'll need to be really disciplined at it or you'll end up getting get damp you don't want to.
I haven't carried a huge pack with all my supplies, tent etc, in it since I did my DOE, and whilst I know that I'd have been carrying way too much unnecessary stuff, and modern kit is lighter - I'm in no rush to do so again. I'd need to be going somewhere there was no hostel/BnB type option to even consider it. I'm not particularly fit but I'm exercising outside most weekends and anything beyond 15 miles is starting to be a slog with just a day sack unless the terrain etc are very nice. If I've gone over 20 one day I always cut back the next day. I never plan more than 8 hours on the go because that will be the day you make a wrong turn, you discover the bridge you needed was washed away last week, or twist an ankle or it starts snowing and you hide under a bridge for 2 hrs till it stops... and if that was already going to be a 10-12 hr day it just got really shit (you may have an advantage by carrying a tent that you can stop early - although personally I sometimes need the motivation for the last 3 miles that I've got a bed booked).
However now this has made me want to try it and see how far I can actually go in a week.
mmm... you sound like a mate of mine - where every bike ride, run, cycle has to be about having the most crazy numbers. How much fun he had on the way doesn't matter so long as he can go back to work next week and people go "wow, you're mad".
I have always wanted to do a long distance walk, so I'm watching with interest. 🙂
I agree with TJ.
12 miles a day when carrying kit is plenty. Anything more than 15 a day turns in an endurance event.
Don't forget your chamois cream, it's not just your feet that will suffer!
There's a guy, Chase Mountains, on YouTube who gives very good tips regarding walking. He's also an advocate of using poles.
Friend of ours does transalp walks. Munich to Venice type walks. She's fit AF. Great bum.
Overcoming that sort of issue is the attraction for me. It's about testing myself.
mmm… you sound like a mate of mine – where every bike ride, run, cycle has to be about having the most crazy numbers. How much fun he had on the way doesn’t matter so long as he can go back to work next week and people go “wow, you’re mad”.
It's not every ride, and I certainly don't do it to tell my friends, but I actually enjoy the challenge of going as far or as long as I can. I've found they help on very steep climbs, and they help me walk really fast, but at a sustainable all day pace they don't seem that useful.
Re poles - I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?
Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?
nothing really
You need to spend a good bit of cash to keep a multi day pack lightweight too. My pack for 5 days in the cairngorms earlier this year was around 12.5kg, could be lighter but the cairngorm plateau isn't a place to be without proper kit, even in summer.
I get pushing and testing yourself - but it still needs to be fun and a realistic target. #when planning my long leisurely strolls I aim for 70ish miles a week. ( that does allow for a day off each week - so 6x12 mile days) I could do a fair bit more but not 3x.
Don't underestimate how tough it is and its a different set of muscle groups and your feet will hurt even if you avoid blisters. Food is heavy as well - getting under a kilo a day is not easy 'cos you will need lots of calories and going into villages for resupply costs time.
Set yourself a hundred miles route to do in under a week and I would say wild camping thats enough of a challenge - achievable but tough.
You need to spend a good bit of cash to keep a multi day pack lightweight too.
I have my baseweight at 8 kg - thats tent, poles waterproofs cooking kit rucksac - everything enough to camp out in the cairngorms. Cost a lot of money
It’s about testing myself.
In that case go out and walk 30 miles with a 12kg pack and see if you can do one day, and if you can still walk beyond the end of the road the next morning.
Before Caminos we walk 15-18km when Madame finishes work a couple of times a week and do some mountain walks of around 1300m +ve as preparation.
Aye, with my walk to Milan I'm planning on doing it on concrete pavements/ gravel paths, through urban areas etc. It's almost all flat til you get to the Alps too, so I'm thinking 20 miles a day. That's with a lighweight walking pole tent and buying food from shops/cafes as I go.
So quite different from wilderness walking!
I've already agreed that 30 miles a day is not achievable.
I used to walk a hell of a lot before a silly (walking) injury and resultant RA put pay to serious walking (more than a mile or so) for a few decades.
But from 15-30yrs I’d happily do 25 leisurely miles a day on tarmac, towpaths, fireroads and footpaths. More if solo. I’d just take a sandwich and a drink. Carrying a big pack of course would be a different story.
Multiple days is a different story because then footcare and rest becomes an issue. In fact multiple days walking is a different beast altogether and takes conditioning. Is there no way you can sort of work up to it?
In that case go out and walk 30 miles with a 12kg pack and see if you can do one day, and if you can still walk beyond the end of the road the next morning.
^ This. Maybe 10kg + water 😉. You can go much, much lighter in the summer, and/or with heavy investment in light kit.
I’d agree with the 20 mile p/day with kit estimate but even that is optimistic depending on terrain. Wales of course not being the flattest. Bangor to Cardiff is approx 180 miles via the A470
It will certainly be (and feel like) a lot,lot longer off-road!
Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?
As of now can only do about 10 miles lightly-loaded (daypack) but improving daily since buying poles and beginning losing weight.
Do I wish I’d had poles before disability got me? Yes and no. I’d enjoy the unencumbered walking for a full day. If hiking solo I’d sometimes cut a hazel pole, use it as a companion and aid. Multi-day hikes probably trekking-poles would have helped in hindsight.
Since buying some (recently) I find they propel me forward and take a good deal of the load off. Wouldn’t be without them. Spend some time watching how-to videos. I was at first using them so wrongly it was laughable. I wasn’t even aware of what the straps were for, let alone how to get into them.
As to quality/price I just a few weeks back went from cheapo (really cheap, ie short, hard plastic grips) to a decent pair (Black Diamond Trail) that I picked up for a song from FB Marketplace (£20)
Key differences are
- lightness (7005 alu)
- fliplocks (ie cam clamps, which are apparently more secure than twist-locks), - - much longer foam grip. This allows for an easy climbing-grip, ie you can just hold the grip much further down rather than having to shorten poles every time you hit a sharp ascent.
- More packable (collapse to 22”)
Wouldn’t be without them now. ymmv
There's some truth in "walking yourself fit" on a long trip. The temptation is to start with a big day, but overcome that and go easy for the first 2/3 days and you'll settle into a comfortable rhythm. Rather than aim for distance, just take it a bit easy, have breaks, stop early. By the time you reach day 4 your body will have adjusted to the daily routine and you'll start to cope with more miles.
There's no harm in setting a big target to see what you're capable of. It doesn't have to be about willy-waving. Just make sure you know where the public transport options are 😄
Re poles – I have some cheap ones, but they work. Apart from weight, what am I missing out on over more expensive?
Mrs_oab has teh carbonz (although cheap Sprayway version, £40) and I have boggo Vango.(£20)
Hers are noticeably lighter and nicer flex to them in use.
Both have fliplock (better IME than the screwlock), both have nice handles, hers have nicer straps too.
Other than that, no difference.
Biggest thing I could save weight on is my pack itself! I have lost my slightly lighter old skool Karrimor Alpiniste and so an currently using old skool Lowe Alpine 60l - it weights nearly 3kg alone!
Like TJ, I have built up some moderately light gear that costs a chunk but is nice to use. I have however gone too light recently, and am rowing back a touch on function over light weight.
I am saving for new tent - and want under 1.8kg if I can, currently spoiled by 900g tent, but it is going to cost...
Hmm. I'm definitely going to try a 2/3 day walk next year, mostly to see if my feet will cope. My overnight kit is so much lighter since I discovered bikepacking, It'll be a huge change.
How about not taking a tent ? Ild prefer a faster lightweight approach. If you’re doing it it summer, just a bivi bag. If the winter, B&B.
I have my baseweight at 8 kg – thats tent, poles waterproofs cooking kit rucksac – everything enough to camp out in the cairngorms. Cost a lot of money
Aye, ditto, my 12.5kg was with food for 4/5 days too.
There’s some truth in “walking yourself fit” on a long trip
Definitely, always feel stronger after a good few days walking!.
And this legend agrees. 🙂
How about not taking a tent ? Ild prefer a faster lightweight approach. If you’re doing it it summer, just a bivi bag. If the winter, B&B.
B&B I wouldn't rule out, but continuous nights in a bivi bag in Wales, a no for me. Not much weight difference in a lightweight tent v bivvy bag these days really, and the relative luxury of having room for your kit (and also being able to cook) inside the tent is a massive bonus.
I've done a few long walks...
5 or 6 5-day backcountry tramping trips in NZ, walked the Pembrokeshire Coastal path a couple of times...
It's good fun, but if you can plan around staying "not under canvas" it will greatly improve the ease of walking and fun.
I did the PCT in 2019 (roughly 2700 miles, in 157 days). I'd suggest accumulated fatigue is the biggest challenge on a longer (>1 week) hike. 1 day off in 7 seemed to work well to allow some recovery. For a shorter trip you may be able to just muscle through.
I watched 20-something college kids fly past knocking out the 35+ mile days in the flatter parts...my longest day was 27 miles. It took me about 300 miles to really get trail fit. I started at 12-15 mpd and gradually increased the distance. A lot of it is in the mind - are you prepared to push another 1,2,3,or 4 hours when everything hurts after the first 10 hours and you're tired (and quite likely a bit bored)? Why?
In the UK [wet] weather plays a big role - I binned a Glasgow-Cape Wrath Trail hike last month after 250 miles due to incessant poor weather. Just wasn't enjoying it. In Scotland I was only making 12.5 mpd with an off-trail route.