Cape Wrath Trail Backpacking Gear List, Explained

The Cape Wrath Trail travels up the west coast of Scotland, beginning in Fort William, and ending at Cape Wrath which is the northernmost point of Britain. It’s not actually a trail though, but a route. What’s the difference? You can connect the two endpoints by hiking over any trails you want, even hiking cross-country or a mix, if it suits you. Which is basically my plan. For more details, see my post, Section Hiking the Cape Wrath Trail.

Backpacking in Scotland 101: The quick and dirty

I always like to motivate my gear lists with a summary of the conditions I expect to encounter. It’s the key to packing properly, particularly when you’re backpacking someplace you’ve never visited or seldom travel to. So here’s what you need to know. This is highly summarized.

• Scotland is wet. It rains a lot. There are numerous stream crossings, far too many to take your shoes off every time.
• Scotland is windy. There are very few trees. The vegetation consists largely of heather and grasses. The wind and rain can be nasty to walk in. Rain gear isn’t optional.
• The weather gets wilder and wetter as you head north up the west coast.
• Temperatures can be all over the place in May. It’s usually above freezing, although not by much. Perfect hypothermia weather, as they say.
• Scotland has paths. Few are maintained. Signage is sparse.
• Public access laws let you walk and camp anywhere, even on private land. This makes it possible to hike cross-country routes to seldom traveled areas.
• Scotland has mountains. Lots of mountains with valleys, lakes, and rivers in between.
• Scotland is sparsely populated. There are few resupply points when you leave the larger towns.
• There are no large animals to fear. You can sleep with your food and cook in your tent.

Gear List Summary

This gear list is very similar to the gear lists I’ve brought on my previous backpacking trips in Scotland. It comes out at 15.5 lbs, which is a perfectly comfortable weight for me to carry. With up to 6 days of food, it will never exceed 28 pounds.

There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. I’m bringing a tent with a floor on this trip not a floorless mid, a more comfortable sleeping pad/pillow combination, a camping towel for washing up, two wool shirts instead of synthetic ones, and an extra pair of socks and underwear. There’s no doubt I could drop some of these to save a half pound of gear weight, but I’m not inclined to on this trip. In fact, I wish I’d had them on my last coast-to-coast hike in 2013. Trying to find replacement socks in small towns in Scotland is a nightmare!

Baggage

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 SW Backpack	Waterproof, Good volume for extra food carry	1	32.4
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Accessory WP Pocket	Carry my camera and phone.	1	1.4
Fox 40 Whistle	Emergency whistle	1	0.1

I wrestled with which backpack to bring on this trip and in the end decided to bring my trusty Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 (55L), mainly because it’s a waterproof pack and has removable frames stays, which makes it easier to travel with by plane. It also has decent external storage for carrying wet gear.

The largest and heaviest load I’ll have to carry will be coming out of Fort William at the start of my trip, when I’ll be carrying 6 days of food will be 28 pounds. That’s easily managed by the 3400, which can be compressed as I eat through my food. Water is so abundant, that you seldom need to carry much.

House

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 DCF Tent	Single Wall DCF Pyramid Tent w/ Stuff Sack	1	28.5
7.75 in Big Sky Tube Steak Stakes	Holding power in damp ground/grassland	6	0.37
MSR Needle Stakes	Good stakes for hard ground	4	0.35
Feathered Friends Tanager 20 Sleeping Bag	Hoodless, no zipper	1	19
Sea-to-Summit 8L Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack	Sleeping bag stuff sack w/ window	1	1
Zpacks DCF Stuff Sack	Stake bag	1	0.2
Outgo Backpacking Towel	Clean up and internal condensation mgmt	1	3.2
Sea-to-Summit EtherLight XT Insulated Sleeping Pad	Durable for mountain bothy floors. R=3.8	1	15
Sea-to-Summit Aero Down Pillow	Attaches to pad with velcro. Great pillow.	1	2.6
Exped Schnozzel Pumpbag UL	Stuff Sack, Pad Pump (takes 2-3 pumps to fill pad)	1	2.2
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad	Prevents sliding on DCF	1	1.3

I’m bringing a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 Tent, which is a two-person single wall tent. Weighing less than 2 lbs, it’s a spacious, pyramid-shaped DCF shelter that provides me with a lot of living space if I need to sit out bad weather or cook under cover. It’s pitched with two trekking poles. I’d originally planned to bring a new Tarptent Stratospire 1, but I never got around to seam sealing it or using it with the terrible autumn and winter we’ve had. While the Dirigo is a single wall shelter prone to internal condensation, that kind of thing has never phased me. I also have a small towel.

Having backpacked in Scotland in May previously (in the 2010 and 2013 TGO Challenge), I have a good idea about what works for sleeping insulation. I’m bringing a 20-degree Feathered Friends Tanager bag for those days when I’ve been hiking all day in cold rain and want some warmth. I plan to sleep in some mountain bothies along my route and decided I wanted a sleeping pad with a thicker exterior shell fabric, like the Sea-2-Summit Etherlight Insulated XT. It’s so much more comfortable than my NeoAir Xlite, that I figured I could afford the extra 3 oz difference in weight. I’m also bringing a cut-down Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad to lay under it. The Thinlight prevents inflatable pads from slipping on slick tent floors (DCF or silnylon). Plus I can use it as a sit pad to keep my butt dry on coffee breaks.

Office

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF Shoulder Pocket	Keep camera & phone close at hand	1	1.41
HMG DCF Office Stuff Sack	Drawstring, mainly electronics	1	0.2
Eagle Creek Document Organizer	Travel document storage	1	1.7
inReach Explorer+	Satellite tracking, check-ins, easy keyboard	1	7.6
Suunto M3-D Compass w/lanyard	Navigation, minimize phone use	1	1.5
Anker 10k Powercore Battery	Small, fast charging	1	6.7
Lightning & USB cords	Durable, won't fail or break	1	0.8
Canon G9 Mk II Camera	USB Rechargeable, Low light Sensor	1	7.2
Extra Canon Battery	More power	1	0.8
ViewRanger App	Preloaded maps, routes	1	0
OS Maps App	Preloaded maps, routes	1	0
Harvey Cape Wrath Maps	Coincides with major portions of my route	2	2.6
OS Landranger Map #33	Shiel Bridge Area	1	2.8
OS Landranger Map #25 (portion)	Strathcarron to Torridon	1	0.8
iPhone XR w/ 256GB w/case	Navigation aid, books	1	7.9
Anker IQ Quick Charger		1	1.4
UK Plug Adapter		1	1
Nitecore NU20 Headlamp	Locking on/off switch	1	1.7
Hardcases for Glasses	Can't go breaking these in the tent	2	3

The office is the brains of this operation and encompasses navigation, communications, photography, lighting, and power. I’m a map and compass person at heart, so I plan to rely on them primarily. Still, it’s nice to have Smartphone apps with GPS-encoded maps, so I can check my position and view maps on the phone that I don’t want to carry. It’s hard to believe how good the maps in navigation apps have gotten in the past 5 years, to the point where you really could navigate entirely by them if you could count on having power for your phone and not having it break or malfunction.

I carry a Garmin inReach Explorer+, so my mother and wife can track my progress on an online map, which they enjoy doing on my longer hikes. I also like the keyboard functions on the Explorer+ more than the ones on the inReach Mini, and the fact that I don’t have to slave my phone to it via Bluetooth for better ease of use. I mainly send my wife preset messages, but having the ability to communicate with ad hoc typed messages can be helpful. I’ll probably also pick up a local sim card for my iPhone, but will usually just check email when I can get free WiFi. This is a vacation after all. I want to get away from the Internet for a while.

Photography: the Canon GX9 Mk II is a very compact, USB rechargeable camera with a big sensor that’s good for low light conditions. I unified my electronics to all be USB or Lightning rechargeable last year. Lighting: You actually don’t need much lighting in Scotland, because the days are so long. But a headlamp is a good aid in a dark bothy. Power: It’s just a good idea to carry a power pack and recharge it when you come across a power outlet.

Kitchen

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
MSR Windburner Stove System	Wind Proof w/Pot, cup, towel, and canister stand	1	16.1
humangear GoBites Duo	Long spoon and fork combination	1	1
Light My Fire Army Striker	Never fails to generate a spark	1	1.3
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter		1	2.7
Evernew 2L Bottle	Self standing, connected cap, fits sawyer	1	1.5
20L Sealline Rolltop Stuff Sack	Food bag (hold up to 6 days of food)	1	1.8

I’ll be bringing an MSR WindBurner which is windproof and fuel-efficient. The Windburner is a self-contained canister stove system that is impervious to the wind because it has a radiant burner that cooks without a flame. It’s also fairly safe to use in a tent since it doesn’t create a fireball when lit, provided that you have excellent ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Scotland has a reputation as having clean water, but I’ve always filtered mine. Face it. Most of the countryside is given over to raising livestock, be it deer, cows, or sheep. Plus, I’ve seen dead deer in streams, killed by the winter, so I’d just assume filter the water I drink from them. Hence, my Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter. I’ll be using it with an Evernew 2L bottle which has a gusseted bottom, so it stands up by itself. It also has a cap that’s permanently attached to the bottle so you can’t lose it. I’ll probably pick up a 1L bottle, as well, when I food shop in Fort William, and filter water into it.

Clothing Carried

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
Montbell Tachyon Wind Jacket	Wind protection, insulation layer	1	2.6
Under Armour Boxers	Chafing prevention	1	3.2
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Cushion Socks	Going to be wet, keep socks in rotation	2	3.4
Montbell Versalite Rain Pants	Very light weight	1	3.6
Helly Hansen LIFA Long Underwear	Warm	1	5.2
Minus 33 Wool Algonquinn SS Shirt	Stink prevention/Warm Weather Layer	1	6.6
Lightheart Gear Rain Jacket	Adjustable hood, pit zips	1	6.7
Outdoor Research Baja Down Pullover	Warm down hoodie, mainly for camp	1	11
Extremities Thinny Touch Gloves	Touchscreen compatible, acrylic	1	1.7
Yama Mountain Gear Rain Mitts	Wrap over pole handles like pogies	1	1
Hanz Chillblocker Waterproof Socks	Insulation for hiking in snow on peaks	1	5.7
HMG DCF Stuff Sack	Clothing bag1	1	0.7
Sea-to-Summit Head Net w/Insect Shield	Bug protection, Clothing bag 2	1	0.8

Think wind, rain. some snow up high, and hypothermia conditions. I’ve also packed in a little redundancy, like an extra pair of socks and underwear, since I’ve learned the hard way that these are very difficult to replace if you blow them out in the remote part of Scotland. The rest of my clothes are a pretty standard load for hiking in wet and windy mountainous terrain, like the Appalachian Trail or New England, with lots of thin layers which can be combined in different ways.

The only exception to this is the Hanz Waterproof socks I plan to bring. The ridgeline hikes I have planned are bound to have some lingering snow high up. Hiking in wet snow while wearing trail runners at elevation is unpleasant, but these socks are insulated, in addition to being waterproof. They also fit into my trail runners, so I plan to wear them to keep my feet warm on the tops and down below if my wet feet get chilled.

First Aid Kit

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
Total Contents Weight (details below)		1	4.2
HMG DCF Draw-String Stuff Sack		1
Claritin	allergies	10
Benedryl	antihistamine, sleep aid	16
Immodium	diarrhea prevention	10
Ibuprofen	pain relief	20
Leukotape Strips	Stuck to release paper	20
Bandaid Hydro-seal Bandages (assorted)	Blister bandages (assorted sizes)	10
1 Pair Nitrile Gloves	Body Fluid Isolation	1
Assorted Bandaids		6
Alcohol Pads	Disinfection	3
Nightguard	Dental	1
N95 Mask	High Quality Mask	1

My first aid kits have always been self-assembled and pretty minimal. I put the most effort into blister prevention and treatment, using Leukotape to prevent hotspots when I feel I need the,, and long-lasting, padded, Band-aid Hydro-seal bandages if I get blisters. These are super sticky bandages that don’t come off for days and help heal the wound. They’re the same thing as Compeed bandages, sold in the UK, but much less expensive.

The key to foot health is hike year-round so your feet stay “hard” and letting them dry out at night. I guess I’ve been lucky to avoid most other complications. In addition to foot care, I carry the usual anti-histamines, pain relievers, and anti-diarrhea pills.

Clothing Worn

Item Name	desc	qty	weight (oz)
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Trail Runners	Lots of stream crossings. Mesh.	1	28
Darn Tough Hiker Boot Cushion Socks	Durable, especially against stream grit	2	2.4
Ragged Mountain Equipment Intervale Gaiters	High Calf Gaiters	1	4.3
Under Armour Boxer Jock	Chafing prevention	1	3.2
Casio Altimeter Watch	Solar powered, navigation aid	1	2.4
RailRiders EcoMesh Pants w/belt	Insect shield treated	1	12.1
Ragged Mountain Powerstretch Highland Hoody	Warm, 1/2 zip	1	11.3
Minus 33 Ticonderoga LS Wool Shirt	Low stink	1	8.9
Pacer Pole Duolock Poles	Durable CF poles with posture improving grip	1	21.1
Insect Shield Billed Cap	Wind resistent	1	2.3

Lyme disease is a growing concern in Scotland, which has a huge deer population because they’re cultivated for venison. I’ll be wearing pants, socks, and a hat that have been treated with Insect Shield (Permethrin), which is an insecticide that kills ticks and other insects on contact. I’ve been wearing clothing like this for going on 10 years and stayed Lyme-free throughout.

It’s also worth explaining my footwear selection. Scotland is so wet and you have to ford so many streams and rivers, that many hikers wear mesh trail runners because they drain quickly and provide good traction. I don’t even bother to take my shoes off in Scotland when I have to ford a stream: I just walk right through. The downside of this is that the stream grit is highly abrasive to socks. But wearing Darn Tough socks is a good way to mitigate the issue because they’re so thick and durable, and can stand up to really extreme abuse.

Additional Information

I’ve backpacked twice across Scotland previously and spent a considerable amount of time in the country, so I know the ropes, although it wouldn’t be an adventure if there weren’t unexpected surprises. Still, I hope you’ve found this annotated gear list walkthrough useful if you plan to hike the Cape Wrath Trail or another route in Scotland. You may also find some of my previous articles on the topic helpful:

• TGO Challenge Tips for Yanks and Non-Residents
• Hikers Guide to Gaelic Mapping Terms
• Mountain Bothies
• How to Hike Across Peat Bogs: Fear No Moor

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