Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: Rusty Madra on August 02, 2012
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I was planning a little expedition to walk from one coast of Ireland (Bangor) to another (Donegal). I had thought it could be done in 4 days. I'll be carrying a tent (lightweight). I had planned to break the 125 mile trek up in the following way:
Day 1: Bangor to Antrim
Day 2: Antrim to Draperstown
Day 3: Draperstown to Balleybofey
Day 4: Balleybofey to Ardara
The distances vary from between 23miles -40 miles per day.
I've not done such long distances before. I think that if I do 12 hour walking days with short stops for food etc I should be able to get the mileage done alright.
Any experienced walkers have any tips? Also is the mileage realistic? I'd be moderately fit ( I average a 10min mile over a half marathon) and am pretty game. I know the expedition will be an endurance event of sorts as opposed to a nice ramble. I'm wondering if it's achievable though?
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I've know idea how long i could walk in a day, i suppose a lot depends on your foot condition as well as your fitness, i.e. if you get blisters on day one you're gonna struggle. Typoon will have some good advice.
I'd love to see a plot of your route, are you aiming for quickest way across, or are you thinking of safest routes to walk or trying to incorporate some interesting features (a walk across the sperrins?). I do a lot of driving in NI so i might have some route advice. The B47 from Draperstown to Plumbridge is one of my favourites for scenery.
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Terrain would play a big part in this too, pus it's going to get harder as the days progress. Like Liam said, the biggest issue is probably foot condition, once you're blistered it's going to get sore and slow. The most I've done is 18 miles from Holywood to Donaghadee along the shore. First time my feet were a bloody mess, second wasn't as bad but both times I had very sore legs for days after. I'm not the fittest to use a s a yardstick though :D
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Suspectmonkey would be a good one to ask having done the West Highland Way. He'd have a fair insight into how it feels to walk day after day. Twentyclicks and Mike D have experience on the GR20, albeit the terrain was very different.
Personally, I wouldn't plan a lot of road walking in my boots I use for the hills, the roads just burn my feet. I'd be looking for a comfy as pair of trail shoes or trainers for a big walk like that.
Actually here is something of interest to you, from a one-time regular on here who walked the Ulster Way:
Ulster Walker blog (http://ulsterwalker.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/ulster-way.html)
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You could approach this in a few different ways. You could pack extremely light and stay at hostels or B&B's (Maybe even another NI-Wilder) and only carry a day pack with snacks and water in it.
Or like you said you could carry your own tent and what not.
With road walking I think you should stay well away from boots of any sort. Just go with some lightweight trainers or similar (for all the walking you will be doing in ratio to hill climbing these will be justifiable)
I'd say anyone could do this, as much as the physical aspects of it can have a big influence, if you mentally want to complete it, then complete it you shall.
I think you generally walk about 3/4mph maybe quicker and maybe slower. But going with that 125/4 = 31.25 miles a day. Meaning 10hours walking a day? But then again you could go even quicker and completely surprise yourself at how quickly you get through it.
Combine the following with good nights sleep and you'll be flying. Go for it Rusty.
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Furthest I ever walked in one day was 25 miles, I wasnt carrying a pack or anything but I was helping to push a VW beetle the whole way! lol I was busted the next day, but I wasnt as fit as I am now ::) Im sure you could do it rusty, if you could go ultralight and stock up on food/water on the way you would be grand, but as previously stated, you'd need to look after yer feet, I'd imagine a lot of it would be road miles!
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sounds like a cool mini-adventure your taking on... not sure about how far a person can walk, but your estimates sound reasonable. The thing that makes walking all day - over several days enjoyable (for me) is the weather....... fingers crossed you'll get a few nice days :)
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Definitely with high energy snacks and food it could definitely be accomplished. You would be without a doubt pushing it in terms of miles per day, and thus the amount of time you wish to accomplish it in could be a little on the light side.
Toughening the legs and feet would be a priority of mine before I set off.
High energy snacks, food and plenty of hydration would be key. Not to mention the mental aspect that you would need to keep going no matter how tough or well its going.
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Cheers for the advice folks... I think trainers are the best way forward because of walking on the roads. One other good tip I've used road running is to put a light coat of vaseline on your feet before anything big. I've found it really keeps the blisters away! I'll let you know how I get on. It won't be till October: still in the planning stages at the moment!
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I agree with Mike: it's doable, and a decent wee adventure. It's nice to scratch an itch, and explore from one's door!
I remember waking up early once (when I lived in Aghalee) and just thought what it would be like to walk to Belfast. So I did. Raided the chocolate, made a sandwich and left a note for my mum :)
That was about 25 miles. Longest we did on the WHW was a 20mile day with maybe 15kg packs.
GR20 was probably max 12-14miles, but the heat and terrain made it slow.
Long-distance through-hikers regularly do 25-30mile days with early starts and continuous steady progress... they don't walk faster, just longer.
Trainers definitely the way to go, and at least it should be easy to buy food as you need it.
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If I'm clothes shopping I can walk for miles!
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Lol v good..... Been looking into it and I think the part where you say you might walk up to 40 miles a day sounds too much... Just various blogs where people were saying beyond 30 miles and they felt like they'd injured themselves..... So maybe aim for max 30 mpd and add an extra day to complete...... And maybe build up to 30, day 1 aim for 20.... Etc..... Build up to it.....
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Hi,
I walked 32 miles in one day on the west highland way. I was very fit at the time. I was carrying a full load as was camping thw whole way. It was exceedingly tough. The hot weather did not help much as I had to take extra water. Plus there was a in the way.
Anyway aim for about 20 miles or so unless you want to punish yourself
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Gonna bite the bullet and get it done before the weather turns bad for winter. Got the Camino and MMM in Sept and Dublin Marathon in Oct. Maybe try before August is finished and if not it'll be start of October: lots of time for training either way! When I finish it I might christen the route the
"Wild NI Way" :)