Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 21, May 31, 2022

Equipment day—the other day I broke a trekking pole—pair of graphite Leki’s that have been around the world. I’d been concerned about them all trip, and now that I’ll be in the wilds, it seemed prudent to replace. After breakfast at the hostel, I stopped for coffee by the canal, then caught a bus to Fort William, the largest town in the region and home to several equipment shops, including Cotswolds which, though at times pricy, always has quality equipment. Got new, high-end Leki’s, a warmer hat, and laid in some super power bars to have as backup food supply in the event I get caught out in the wilds longer than anticipated.

Fort William is charming, a man playing music in the square, and lots of dayhikers as Ben Nevis looms over the town. This is also the home of the Jacobin Express, the steam train featured in the Harry Potter movies. All in all, a low key day, welcome after the rigors of the last couple.

T. Hugh Crawford