Читать книгу The Southern Upland Way. Scotland's Coast to Coast trail онлайн

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 Start the walk and relax – all should now go like clockwork – and enjoy the walk!

Scotch Blackface tups (rams) of the Southern Uplands (photo: Alan Castle)

Equipment

There are several kitlists available these days with plentiful advice on equipment for various types of walking activities, and many glossy manufacturers’ brochures detail all manner of high tech hiking equipment, so newcomers to walking are advised to consult these before setting out on the SUW.

But one point is worth emphasising here. Nothing spoils a walking expedition more than carrying a large, very heavy rucksack, particularly one containing lots of unnecessary equipment. The author is often amazed at the quantity of equipment that some people carry even on modest excursions. Assemble your equipment and then go through it carefully to see what may be safely left behind. If you are staying in B&B and hotel accommodation, it should not be necessary to carry more than 15–20lbs, even including food and drink. Backpackers should aim for under 30lbs and certainly never more than 35lbs on a route of this nature, where food is available every few days. The main things to consider when packing include: