Thanks Emma,

My FWA may well rule out some of the Munros id originally planned, like you say getting back to the main route is tricky without adding too much distance. Also, I'm starting to realise my main route has a few sections that commit and don't offer practical FWE's.

What are the forum rules re posting routes?

Also, silly question, but can you save your forum profile or do you have to add name, email, avatar each time?

Rich -

I think that 25 km a day for 14 days is just about ideal. That's what I always aim for - although my vetters will doutbless confirm that I seldome achieve it (and seldome actually walk exactly what I had on my route card, either ... but that's a whole different story!)

In recent years, I have been increasingly coming to the view that the best way to plan the route is to plan the FWAs first ... i.e. plan an entire crossing that is going to be achievable and enjoyable in rotten weather; and then to look at it, day by day, and say "if the sun's shining, what alternative places could I go on my way from this statrt point to that finish point?"

In other words ... I am thinking that hte smart play might be to plan an entire foul weather crossing, and then look out for the FAIR weather alternatives.

Hi Rich,

The first few times I did the Challenge I planned my high routes first and then worked FWAs round the high route. That lead me to doing some horrible days of road walking or trudging through bog when I was forced on to my FWA due to the weather or when slight injury made me feel going high and remote wasn't wise.

I now find a low level route I'd be happy to do and build a high route round it. Inevitably I end up making a few alterations to the low route after I've decided on my high days but I end up with a route I'm happy doing weather I go high or low.

Ian C.

Thanks Ian and Jeremy,

I've gone back to the drawing board and planning a FWE route as suggested, I'll then add sections I'd "like" to do if weather permits and I feel up to it.

I reckon my kit weighs around 10kg (inc 4-5 days of food), just need to lose 10kgs of body weight over the next few months and I'm all set, oh and get a place on the challenge of course!

Thanks for the info everyone!