Ruck sack for the west highland way?

[Northwoods]

Hi people,
I'm looking for a rucksack to use for the west highland way, I dont want one with bright colours and generally prefer old materials as opposed to nylon but I'm open to suggestions..

any recommendations ? my budget is about £70 tops

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Are hou camping each night or b and b ? That will decide. 55+ wigh wide hip belt. Vango are good. And line it with a large drybag.

 

[crosslandkelly]

I have a vgc Karrimor Jaguar 55/75, in grey, plus rain cover, that I'm bringing to the moot to sell. £40 pick up at the moot, or £40 + PP fees + delivery.

 

[Northwoods]

Are hou camping each night or b and b ? That will decide. 55+ wigh wide hip belt. Vango are good. And line it with a large drybag.

Wild camping, well thats the plan anyway! So over 55 liters then? I like the look of old school rucksacks but they're a bit out of my budget..http://www.woodland-ways.co.uk/buy-online-frost-river-summit-pack-808.html

 

[Lizz]

I've a go-lite jam 55 which is coming to the moot for sale for £67 or a bit more if posted. It's grey and hasn't been used - I've got a Cuben instead from HMG.

 

[Northwoods]

Are hou camping each night or b and b ? That will decide. 55+ wigh wide hip belt. Vango are good. And line it with a large drybag.

Wild camping, or thats the plan at least! what is this 'moot' you guys refer to?
I like the look of this pack but probably not very comfortable for long walks..(also out of budget)
http://www.woodland-ways.co.uk/buy-online-frost-river-summit-pack-808.html

 

[woof]

Have a look at the older karrimor jaguars on ebay, they are a really good pack with an adjustable back length so suit most people, mine has been used by me, my daughter & my son.

Rob

 

[crosslandkelly]

Wild camping, or thats the plan at least! what is this 'moot' you guys refer to?

http://www.bushmoot.com/

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

WHW - every 4hrs or less you can get food except Inversnaid to Ben Glas Farm. You may kip at the Bothy at Doune. So 65ltrs or more I would say. Water is easy to source after Rowardennan.

 

[Lizz]

65 litres? Wow I'm working to 55 these days but I do have Cuben gear, and a quilt, and very dodgy knees.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Depends how small yer sleeping bag is and how much clothes are packed. I wear my 65ltr all year wether winter climbing or a 4hr day walk, just the most comfortable ruckasac.

 

[Northwoods]

Depends how small yer sleeping bag is and how much clothes are packed. I wear my 65ltr all year wether winter climbing or a 4hr day walk, just the most comfortable ruckasac.

which rucksack do you use?

 

[Lizz]

For clothing I usually have one on and one off - so walking leggings, walking t shirt plus one of each in rucksack, then I have a walking skirt I wear all the time, and one long sleeved thermal top, and a windshirt and a puffy. And a nice silk scarf which does duty as a head band or neck warmer and one big silk scarf which does duty as a big scarf or a substitute skirt. It's not always pretty but it is light.

 

[21st century pict]

Wow, I get everything I need into a 35lt patrol pack and a 12lt bum bag, West Highland Way, Spey Side Way, Great Glen, Coastal walks everything. A 50lt pack should be plenty for a 3 season bag Bro.
As Scots Charles River said, no food resupply between Inversnaid and Benglas Farm, it's not far 11K-12K but rough going, Doune bothy is a cracking place to stop. The WHW is a ace walk but I would have to recommend doubling back at Benglas farm a short bit off the way and checking out the Drovers Inn, one of Rob Roy MacGregors locals and pub of the year 1705 ;-) Inveroran /Loch Tulla to Kings House "Rannoch Moor" 16K on Wade's old military road, easy going really, but can be very exposed in bad weather.
Get a pack with side pockets, very handy. Its a great trip enjoy.
Ps Midge net, worth its weight in gold.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-explorer-60-plus-10-rucksack-p203348
A Vango Explorer 60 + 10

Big enough to winter walk and camp out overnight up a snowy mountain. Just big enough for a days winter climbing, but a rope draped under the lid. And that's a lot of weight. The waist strap and hip strapis very comfy. And all that kit has not damaged the stitching etc.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

For clothing I uiually have one on and one off - so walking leggings, walking t shirt plus one of each in rucksack, then I have a walking skirt I wear all the time, and one long sleeved thermal top, and a windshirt and a puffy. And a nice silk scarf which does duty as a head band or neck warmer and one big silk scarf which does duty as a big scarf or a substitute skirt. It's not always pretty but it is light.

Pretty cold on the WHW, over 1000ft up. There was a frost in some glens last week. I appreciate an expensive small sleeping bag does save a lot of volume.

 

[Lizz]

Yes - I'm not a fan of chilly, I missed out the socks, hat, gloves and liners, oh and the puffy has a hood, and I have a poncho too to go over the whole lot. I've found that a t shirt plus a thermal long sleeve, plus a Berghaus vapour light jacket, and a puffy plus skirt and thermal leggings and scarf, hat, hood and gloves keep me warm even when standing still in jolly cold Wales on exposed trips up the beacons, or in Snowdonia. And worked jolly well when digging in Orkney in mid summer (ie hail and snow).

 

[21st century pict]

Hi Northwoods
I was just having looking around, a bit pricey perhaps and needs side pockets added but the Berghaus Centurio 30 or 45 might be worth a look.

 

[Terry.m.]

i really would like to do the WHW , sounds awesome , is may the best time as the Midges up there do my head in.!!

 

[Northwoods]

Thanks for the recommendations, however as I'm having to buy so much other stuff (sleeping bag, bru-kit etc) I've decided just go with one I had from Tesco, it only cost me a fiver in the sale and looks about 60 liters capacity. looks ok except its orange and black/grey.

Re: The midges, i've got some Avon 'skin so soft' so will find out if it actually works!