• Back from my 220 mile Scotland Charity Trek! Pictures as promised.
    87 replies, posted
I can still accept donations online here, if you’re feeling charitable: [url]http://www.justgiving.com/KieranDuncan[/url] Feel free to PM me if you're interested in purchasing some cheap prints. As some of you might remember, I made a thread several weeks ago explaining a grand adventure in the Scottish Highlands for charity. I was really quite touched by the response I got, and I received over £200 in donations from you guys which was much more than I expected. Word of warning, this thread is turning out to be quite big… but I hope you find it an interesting read. I’ll make sure to put in lots of pretty pictures (as promised) to keep you entertained ;) For those that missed the original thread, the jist of it was to complete a 220(ish) mile journey using nothing but manpower for Teenage Cancer Trust. The reason we chose this charity, is because a close friend of one of the team members sadly died of cancer quite recently. It is a charity close to our hearts. The plan was to start off in Inverness, canoe through the canals and across Loch Ness to Fort William. Then we’d walk the West Highland Way to Glasgow, before canoeing through to Edinburgh for multiple pints. We had 11 days. This was our route: [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee52/baron_of_bean_dip/Map.jpg[/img] We carried all of our camping gear, equipment and supplies with us the entire way. This was the one decision that really turned it into a hardcore expedition. I’ll start by saying that the entire group (6 in total) completely underestimated how difficult this was going to be. I like to think I’ve done more challenging stuff than your average bear, but nothing compares to this. We all agreed nobody will really understand or appreciate just how hard it was, but I’ll try my best to explain. We met up in Inverness and picked up our canoes, the first day went without relatively well, despite the fact that one guy turned up 3 hours late… we canoed through the canals for a few miles while it was still light. The weather was good, the wind was on our backs, and spirits were high. At this rate we’d make pretty good time the next day. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837237630/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/5837237630_b4eb3d7761.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837237630/]Caledonian Canal[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr The next day wasn’t quite as successful. We made it to Loch Ness and had to cross it in a day (totalling around 25 miles). When we reached the loch the wind and currant were going against us, and it quickly became apparent why Loch Ness is considered an in-land sea. This is us at the entrance. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836689801/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/5836689801_f999bc1c80.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836689801/]Into The Void[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr We’re all fit and healthy young lads, and we were giving it everything we could and getting absolutely nowhere. A few hours in, my muscles and joints were searing with pain and I genuinely thought “There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this…” and 4 hours later I was still going. It was so disheartening to be giving 110%, and then to look at the shore and see we’re being overtaken by dog walkers. We stared at the one fucking mountain for the entire day. In the late afternoon we were only about 6 miles into the Loch, and a storm rolled in. We had a quick re-evaluation of the trip and made a call to make for the nearest town and figure out a plan for tomorrow. Unfortunately the nearest town was a mile and half directly across the loch, by this point the waves were reaching about 3-4ft and the wind was battering the sides of the canoes. Water was pouring in, our bags were soaking, our feet were drenched. It took us 3 hours to get that 1.5 miles. To illustrate the severity of the situation, at one point the coastguard had received a call from a passing yacht and came to our “rescue”. We explained that we were determined to make it, and they let us press on the last half mile on our own. We eventually made it, and pulled the canoes to safety. We walked a short distance to set up camp. Our next priority was to get some greasy food and a couple of pints… I’ve never appreciated fish & chips more. On the 3rd day, we had to make the decision to abandon the canoes. We decided it would be quicker to walk to Fort William than canoe against the wind. We were told it was 13 mile to the end of Loch Ness, our boots were still wet (which is the number 1 mistake for hillwalking) but we figured 13 miles was do-able. Us at the start, I’m on the left. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836692171/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/5836692171_9dd28b6a0e.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836692171/]The Day[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr This day has since been referred to as “The Day”. About 23 miles later, we reached the town at the end of Loch Ness… the guy had given us a completely bullshit distance and we walked an additional 10 miles more than what we were expecting, with wet boots and heavy backpacks. Our feet were literally bleeding, I’d gotten blisters and felt them rupturing in my boots throughout the day. I’ve never been in such excruciating pain. We walked the last 6 miles along the road instead of the mountain route, it got to the stage when cars started to pull in and offer us a ride out of concern, but we had to keep walking. It wasn’t until we arrived in the town we realised how severely fucked we were. We were a day behind schedule now and our feet were in an absolutely horrific state. I wish I had some pictures to show you guys, but I was far too busy trying to clean and bandage my poor trotters to think about photographs. This was the only one I snapped of one of the other guys. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836708079/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/5836708079_c1177194da.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836708079/]IMG_9675[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr We couldn’t walk the next day, we were still 30 miles away from Fort William. To make it on time we’d need to do it in a day which was impossible. Sadly we had to deal with these unforeseen circumstances and got a bus. We’re not particularly proud of it, and at the time felt like cheaters, but we had absolutely no alternative. What you guys need to understand is, the West Highland Way is a 96 mile trek across mountains, marshes, woodland and rivers all the way to Glasgow. We planned on doing it in 6 days, and all the guidebooks said 7 days is considered “fast”. It’s challenging enough when you’re fit and healthy, never mind with busted feet. And if we were late, we’d miss the canoe pickup on the other end so taking our time wasn’t an option. So we bussed it to Fort William, and I’m really glad we did… because it turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip! I met one of my all-time heroes, legendary street trials cyclist Danny MacAskil. Many of you have probably seen his debut video form a couple of years ago which exploded on the internet and sent him rocketing to the top. [media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o[/url][/media] He’s from Scotland, and we saw him practicing in the train station car park and had a great chat with him. This is me and him [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837253570/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/5837253570_dc1d842ec6.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837253570/]IMG_9651[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr He also reluctantly jumped over my mate… after explaining his “past people jumping escapades hadn’t been entirely successful”. We didn’t question it, but said if he crushed Jonny we wouldn’t sue him or anything. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837252034/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/5837252034_58fba06a39.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837252034/]Jonny and Danny[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr BADASS. Bloody hell, this thread is getting pretty huge… I’ll speed it up a little. When we left Danny, the first thing we done was posted a load of crap home. I emptied my bag, kept my kilt, one shirt, 3 pairs of socks. I emptied half my suncream, half my toothpaste… Christ, I even cut my soap in half! Anything that we could do to save weight, we done it. We spent the rest of that day letting our feet get some air, we were back on schedule so we just had to prepare ourselves for the big walk the next day. I spent about £30 on compeed blister plasters and coated my feet in them, we each ate a spoonful of cement and hardened the fuck up. This is us at the start of the walk the next day. We actually had one other guy join us for the walk, but he later bailed after a day and went home. Pussy. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836858417/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/5836858417_c05436538c.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836858417/]118[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr The next 6 days were intense, and there was little drama. Even though we were walking between 15-20 miles a day over rough terrain… we hadn’t got any new blisters. I had a whopping 12 blisters from The Day, but they were under about 2 inches of compeed and bandages. We lived on pain killers, mars bars and willpower. Here is a selection of photos from the walk, enjoy. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836710391/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/5836710391_5c8b6ff64e.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836710391/]IMG_9736[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837263718/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/5837263718_b241239181.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837263718/]IMG_9742[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836719049/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5836719049_e01dd9cbbe.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836719049/]IMG_9796[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837285294/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/5837285294_09cd54cfe0.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837285294/]IMG_9850[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836740373/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/5836740373_829692cec1.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836740373/]Pan1[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837294016/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/5837294016_ded46a7847.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837294016/]pan2[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837295968/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5837295968_6f7fe7e35c.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837295968/]pan3[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837297636/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5837297636_2bba29344d.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837297636/]IMG_9906[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836754491/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/5836754491_684a43a24c.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836754491/]IMG_9960[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836843253/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/5836843253_06d232e3e8.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836843253/]IMG_9917_8_9_tonemapped[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837316826/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5837316826_3517dfc5f6.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837316826/]IMG_0058[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837353008/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/5837353008_886fec069e.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837353008/]IMG_0195[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836810503/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/5836810503_22ee698f94.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836810503/]IMG_0281[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836840897/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5072/5836840897_ccfbfea809.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836840897/]IMG_9868_69_70_tonemapped[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837400372/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/5837400372_0e40cc6fda.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837400372/]IMG_0124_5_6_tonemapped[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837401748/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/5837401748_a516625e84.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837401748/]IMG_0127_8_9_tonemapped_tonemapped[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836861055/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/5836861055_3f2b69dc85.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836861055/]119[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr A little side note, I’m really looking for a way to start making money off my photography… if anybody is interested in purchasing some cheap prints don’t hesitate to get in touch. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the set on Flickr. I’d also recommend clicking the thumbnails and viewing the full size panoramas. So we finished the walk, this is me at the end point. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837362056/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5837362056_eb3150fcdb.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837362056/]IMG_0297[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr We picked up our canoes and we were back on the canals the next day. Again, very little happened so I’ll make it quick. The first day was easy, the second day was harder than we thought but we powered through. Here’s a selection of pictures from the canals. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836819453/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/5836819453_8f98ce2836.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836819453/]IMG_0321[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836822551/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/5836822551_e1998913a8.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836822551/]IMG_0375[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837373574/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/5837373574_d1457d239d.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837373574/]IMG_0397[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836815177/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/5836815177_e88f4a60bc.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836815177/]IMG_0314[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr And we got to the end! We fucking made it… we were only 45 minutes late, and we were surprised to see a huge group of people who’d hear about us had gathered to welcome us into Edinburgh city centre. Also, I did the entire thing in my kilt (which the foreign ladies loved by the way…) [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836862625/][img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/5836862625_9ca1208f49.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836862625/]126[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr The guy I mentioned earlier, who passed away from cancer, his father came to greet us which was really touching. Bought us a nice round of drinks. I’ve never felt such a massive sense of achievement in my entire life. The things I missed most were trousers, hair conditioner, and Doctor Who (which I watched on iplayer as soon as I got in… HOOOLLLYYY SHIIITTTT) My feet were in a bad way, most of these blisters are left-overs from The Day which still hadn’t healed. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836827229/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5836827229_c45a5ecf51.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5836827229/]IMG_0472[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837378084/][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/5837378084_87f5f7f117.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837378084/]IMG_0479[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr Again, I can’t thank you guys enough for your support. I’m sorry this thread turned out so huge, I tend to ramble. I hope you enjoyed the story, and I can answer any questions happily. I’ve not added on the offline donations yet, but I managed to hit my £500 target :D I’m getting pretty tired now… whoa. Thanks again lads, keep being awesome. (here’s one final shot of me feeling manly) [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837398814/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5837398814_832ff20c12.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/kieran_duncan/5837398814/]IMG_0119_20_18_tonemapped_tonemapped[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/kieran_duncan/]Kieran Duncan[/url], on Flickr
Well done dude <3
Awesome
why are u boys wearing skirts
Wow, awesome. Really all I can say. I need to do something like that.
Thats pretty badass, I could never do something like that.
damn, i bet your feet must hurt like hell
Quite nifty, the photos are gorgeous. Especially this [quote][img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/5837401748_a516625e84.jpg[/img][/quote] I'd love to buy a print of it for my room if I had the money and wasn't in America.
I haven't had time to read the whole thread. I'm still in the process of doing so, but I just wanted to say, HOLY FUCK YOU MET DANNY MACASKIL! Lucky sonofabitch. Going to finish reading it now. You guys did something so incredibly awesome.
Amazing pictures
Nicely done!
[QUOTE=frankie penis;30524735]damn, i bet your feet must hurt like hell[/QUOTE] Indeed they did, but it was all because of that one day at the start... I'm actually thinking of walking the middle section again this summer solo. I couldn't really spend that much time with the camera without slowing everybody up. I'd love to do it again, maybe take 8 days or so... and just go crazy with the camera. I'd love to take some HDR panoramas, but they take some time to set up.
I remember that thread. I kept wishing I had money to donate for this. If my budget permits when I finally get my first paycheck, I'll see if I can throw a few dollars your way. It is an extremely noble act on your part to partake in an event like this, and I am really glad it seems like you had a fun and exciting time.
Hey post up some of these pictures in the Photography section. Lots of brilliant photographs.
[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5837316826_3517dfc5f6.jpg[/img] fucking awesome.
[QUOTE=Edthefirst;30524827]Hey post up some of these pictures in the Photography section. Lots of brilliant photographs.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1098023-Scotland?highlight=[/url] :)
oh hey its that place i live
[QUOTE=teh pirate;30524508]why are u boys wearing skirts[/QUOTE] its a kilt and don't you forget it
[QUOTE=Scotchair;30524924][url]http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1098023-Scotland?highlight=[/url] :)[/QUOTE] heh, I didn't see that thread!
Fucking awesome man, and for charity none the less.
Nice pictures and great job! :buddy:
I'd probably be interested in buying a couple reasonably-sized prints off you for my room, those are some fantastic photos. I'll get in touch with you next Sunday when I'm back from France (where we're doing much more arduous things like eating ice creams while reading books). Awesome job anyhow.
[QUOTE=Transverse;30524992]its a kilt and don't you forget it[/QUOTE] i can forget WHATEVER i want i live in america i have rights you know [img]http://www.theodoresworld.net/pics/1207/GodBlessAmericaAnimation1.gif[/img]
Shame you had to take 30miles off your trip by taking the bus. But you have to do what you have to do. Sounds like it was a great trip, for a greater cause. Im really proud you went through with this. Good job dude.
[QUOTE=leach139;30525047]I'd probably be interested in buying a couple reasonably-sized prints off you for my room, those are some fantastic photos. I'll get in touch with you next Sunday when I'm back from France (where we're doing much more arduous things like eating ice creams while reading books). Awesome job anyhow.[/QUOTE] This would be awesome, I'm kinda struggling to live right now so selling a couple of prints would be ace.
im going to stop shitting up your thread scotchair and tell you i respect what youve done and hope your feet get better since my fat american booty could never walk 220 miles
Absolute win my friend. I love doing stuff like this.
I remember the original thread, freaking awesome. Did you wear underwear underneath your kilt? Because if you did, that's cheating!
[QUOTE=teh pirate;30524508]why are u boys wearing skirts[/QUOTE] those are kilts the kilts in this thread alone tripled the amount of chest hair I have that's how manly they were
This is awesome, why not more attention? And man, I totally know what you've experienced on a smaller scale. It's funny because despite it feeling like hell while your doing it, you can't help but take in the sights during a rest period and feel inspired, and when you are all done you can't help but feel closer to everyone who "suffered" with you. The funniest thing is, a month later you'll look back and want to do it all over again. My first backpacking experience is something I won't forget. It was a small loop, but I was 11 at the time. Ended up putting WAY too much in my backpack. Doesn't feel bad but after the first hour it all really starts to drag, the third hour your shoulders really hurt. What didn't help was that it rained for us the entire time, and we are talking freezing rain. The adults in the group determined that it would be too wet to set up camp when we are this young, so we just blitzed the whole trail in one go. Later afternoon we finally reach the end of our loop (still downpour). I remember me being so numb and cold that it took me over an hour to be able to bend over to take my shoes off at the cabin. Yet despite this I ended up laughing in the "oh god its over this is CRAAZY" kind of way. The moral of the story is, despite being fit, you are NEVER prepaired for backpacking or distance hiking in rough terrain unless you've experienced it before. Many guys underestimate just how challenging it is. It isn't just walking. It's HIKING and hiking with often 40-60lbs of gear on your back for 8-10 hours at a time. Across wild terrain that is rough and wears your feet down. You usually have to be very skilled, fit and prepaired to hike 15+ miles a day with a full backpack load on in rough terrain. On another note, your experiences Canoeing remind me of a time when I participated in a 60 mile kayak trip. Not nearly as long as yours but I definatly get flashbacks to it reading your story. Including giant headwinds in mid-summer against splashing waves. Good thing kayaks are better suited for this kind of thing, but its funny how going "upstream" against wind in a water craft tends to make things go really slowly. It didn't help that we decided to just sleep under a tarp instead of bring tents. HUGE misstake in Tennesee, which is a mosquito haven. It was rough, wild and even fun. I remember on the last day our tarp collapsing on us in the middle of the night during a rain storm and someone scrambling outside to fix it for the rest of us (he was a hero). You just don't get experiences like that anywhere else. I guess that is why when I look back on that and stuff like this I can't help but want more. I wouldn't say I want to live in the woods, but knowing you'll make it to the end thick or thin with a group of buddies in some really cool places is powerful and humbling. It changes you. Since I started school sadly, I've not done anything related to the outdoors in over 2.5-3 years :\ Tends to happen when you move out on your own with a roomate and do design classes.
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