Long Distance paths: the knowledge
National Trail Officers, a mega-miler and veterans of LDPs advise you how to plan for a perfect adventure.
Anyone attempting a long distance challenge should expect to lose the plot at least a little bit. It will likely sneak up on you too. After maybe a few days or a week of little things chipping away at you, you may completely flip out over the tiniest thing but because you’ve been realistic in anticipating this you can catch hold of yourself and the inner voice will kick in. “It’s okay! This is just one of those moments I have to push through and ride out, I knew this was coming and everything’s going to be okay!”
You need to find what your motivations are. That’s what will get you through. For me personally I’m on a charity challenge and that gives me one layer of motivation, and another is pride – a little bit is a good thing!
Let’s be blunt – there aren’t going to be enough toilets. If your trail sees you wandering a long way between populated areas then this is what you need and need to do... a small trowel, toilet paper and a lighter. Dig a hole, do your business in it then set fire to the toilet paper before filling in the hole. But be aware of drought seasons and fire risk areas and not too near a path! (But why would you?!)
Stay dry. The cold’s not a big issue but add wet and things can get uncomfortable or even dangerous. If you can’t absolutely guarantee getting somewhere to dry yourself and your kit off after a wet day, then sit that day out. Walking in the rain is fun when you can come home to a cuppa, but living outdoors changes that dramatically.
You won’t immediately die if your phone does. My phone is important but mainly for the camera and music – it’s hardly ever used as an actual phone. It’s a good idea to have for emergencies though, with an extra battery pack. I have
‘What 10,000 miles has taught me’
a huge 26,000mah one [10-15 full charges] and use a solar panel in summer.
You get sick of your own thoughts. That’s when music, podcasts and radio help to pass the time.
How much you appreciate home comfort goes up by a factor of one each day. 20 days living outdoors makes a shower and a chat with other human beings and using a toaster about 20 times more appreciated.
Problems on the trail are better than problems in real life. When something in your regular life goes wrong, like someone breaks your heart, these things stick with you like a knot in a tree. You can grow around them and hopefully learn from them but to remember them is often to relive the pain. Bad times out here aren’t like that – the worse it was, the more you will laugh at the memory of yourself. And the beauty of your surroundings will remain beautiful in your head however you felt when passing through at the time, I promise you that.
I’ve met amazing, beautiful, kind and inspiring people I never would have. I wish you all the same luck! Follow Pete’s journey – search The Pale Blue Dot on Facebook Donate to Pete’s cause: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ petermears1