Graeme,,,,, How did it go you may well ask,,, well into my first day on the traverse from port patrick to black head ,,,well i fell backwards when i was useing the chains to pull my self up god it was cold windy wet and the sea mist was right in,, i went down about 6 foot hurt my back and ankle but managed to get to castle kennedy which was easier than going back to port patrick,,, in the morning it was hard work to get going and to call a halt so it was taxi to stranraer and then the train to peterborough..... at least i got the first day out of the way just 15/16 stages to do now!!!!!!!! next year i am going to walk the WHW with GGW tagged on,,,
the the SUW in 2012 god willing as for the rest of this year lots of walks round rutland walker and gym work to get myself going again

Richard - how did it go ?

Thanks Graham oh i got my self a travel tap nice bit of kit saves carrying 2 lts keeps the weight down
65 days to go

I went from Sanquhar, taking the shorter option via Highmill Knowe at Cogshead.

Pleasant walk into Wanlockhead in the sunshine followed by the slog up Lowther Hill and some steep descents off Comb Head.

At Daer Reservoir I went across the head of the reservoir and do remember being a bit hacked off with the long curving route round Sweetshaw Brae when a straight line would have been so much simpler. (Probably not possible in damp conditions as the ground looked at big boggy.)

I camped at Brattleburn bothy (which was empty) and had a short walk the next day into Moffat where I stayed in the Caravan Club site and had a half-day rest with proper food and beer.

The only other walkers I saw were 6 lads who were doing the route as part of their Duke Of Edinburgh award.

Hi how did any of you find the walk between wanlockhead and moffat??
Richard

I used the Trail Tap every day, with no adverse effects.

Normally I would only drink from fast moving water, but that was impossible on the trip.

My water sources included slow moving streams, lakes, and almost stagnant water in ditches. At first I was nervous, but the more I used it the more confident I became; without it I would have been in difficulty. I still avoided water that I thought might be heavily contaminated by agricultural run-off.

As you say Elton, finding a water source can be a problem; the TT made that problem a lot easier to solve. Water sources became less of a worry.

I recommend it wholeheartedly.

That's very interesting, Graeme. When you're hiking self contained, water can be a real problem, both the carrying, because of the weight, but much more the obtaining. If this Trail Tap (now called Traveller Tap) enables you to get water anywhere there is a source, it will be a major boon. How contaminated was the water which you filtered? And did you use it every day with no adverse effects?

I used Landranger maps 67,73,77,78,82 and printouts of those sections of the walk the occupied a corner of a map. You are welcome to take my maps; if they survive the journey, you can send them back; if not, that's fine too. The route is pretty well marked and I don't remember any navigation problems.

When I did the route I caught the tail-end of the hot-spell we had last year and my biggest problem was the lack of water in the landscape. (Not a problem I have ever had before in Scotland,) Luckily I had a Trail Tap (from backpackinglight.co.uk) so I could drink from standing water.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask them; I'll do my best to answer them as well as my memory allows

I have not walked the SUW, but if the Pennine Way is anything to go by, forget about waterproof boots. Bogwater will get in no matter what you do. All waterproof boots will do is make sure it stays in. So wear a pair of Old Leakies or well ventilated trainers so that the water flows out as quickly as it flows in. You?ll have wet socks all day, but that's better than sloshing along in brimming boots.

Hi Richard, we have a list of maps (LR and Ex) at http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?menu_type=S&path_id=429 and also the guide books which are available.

Landranger or Explorer OS Maps
Doing the SUW in April any info would be welcome

I finished the walk on Saturday (13th), it took 11.5 days, with two half-day rests.

Overall I was a little disappointed, especially with the amount of road and forestry-track walking and the "contrived" nature of the route.

By the way, the pub in Cockburnspath is permanently closed, so be warned: there's no celebratory beer to be had at the end.

Still, I'm glad I did it.

Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies.

In addition to the websites mentioned, I also found
http://www.adventurejournal.com/Southern_Upland_Way/
useful.

(I start the walk on the 2nd of June.)

Graeme

Hi Graeme,
This site may be of some help http://www.southernuplandway.org
Have done several LDP's and this is my favourite.Hope all goes well.

Hi Graeme
I have just completed this splendid National Trail and I am sure you will enjoy it too. There are 6 bothies on the route and, if you wish I can give you details of position and a brief description of 4 of them and if you need information on where you can resupply I will provide that too. One thing you will not be short of is water!
Apart from one night in a bothy I was staying at b & b's.
Please let me know what information would be helpful.
Dennis

Hi Graeme, just a thought, you might try the http://www.backpackersclub.co.uk/ for information about cheap campsites. Best Wishes, John

Hi Graeme, I am sure you will have checked http://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?menu_type=S&path_id=429 where there are publications and some cheap accomodation if you need for plumbing services! Have a good trip. Best Wishes John

Hi,

I'm planning on "wild-camping" the route this year.

If anyone knows of any information resources (online or otherwise) or can offer any personal experience, I would love to hear from them.

Thanks,

Graeme