Dales Way: Ilkley to Bowness on Windermere. 2012.
Length: 80 miles / 130km. Month: August. Weather: dry & hot. Accommodation: B&Bs & 1 hostel. Pack weight: Reduced from 18lb / 8.2kg to 12lb / 5.45kg when I posted some things home.
Overpacked. Lesson in taking less.
Clothes
Clothes carried:
- Waterproof trousers
- Regatta mac (not breathable)
- 1 pair Bridgedale summer socks
- Synthetic T shirt
- Spare u’wear
Clothes worn:
- Marmot base layer top
- Synthetic mid layer
- Craghopper trousers
- Bridgedale summer socks
- Summer buff
- Lowa Renegade boots
- Superfeet blue insoles
- Sports Bra
- U’wear
(The new boots and superfeet insoles meant that I got no blisters on this trip)
Kit
General:
- Berghaus 35L rucksack
- Waterproof liner
- Sit mat (too thin)
- First aid kit
- Multitool penknife (Over engineered)
- Silva 4 compass
- Plastic whistle
- 500ml plastic water bottle (Not enough!!)
- Binoculars
- Guidebook (Used to navigate)
- Waterproof map (Too bulky)
- Harvey map
Tech:
- Smartphone
- Phone chargers & plug
- Camera (Before I realised the potential of my phone camera)
- Spare camera battery
- Camera battery charger
- Earphones
Toiletries: (I now use travel sizes or decant into 50/100 ml plastic containers)
- Glasses
- Contacts & solution (Faff & too bulky)
- Electric toothbrush & case (My luxury item)
- Toothpaste miniature
- Insect repellent
- Suncream (Too big & not strong enough)
- Wipes
- Mirror
- Shampoo (Too big)
Personal:
- Wallet
- Personal alarm
- Watch
- Tickets
- Stamps
One thing I didn’t have and needed was a head torch.
Bought on journey:
- Stronger suncream
- Sun hat
- 1.5L Plastic water bottles to replace 500ml bottle
Posted home at Sedbergh:
- Waterproof map
- Binoculars
- Full size shampoo
- Old sun cream
- Camera battery charger
- One mobile & charger
- Earphones
- Rucksack liner (too bulky)
- Personal alarm
- Guidebook
Total pack weight to Sedbergh: 18lb and after Sedbergh: 12lb
There is some advice on ways to lighten your pack in my page about pack weight.
Rucksack Rosie 