The challenge is to walk Tony Drake's 275 mile Cambrian Way Coast to Coast route from Cardiff to Conwy and be totally self-contained and unsupported with no re-supply. Wild camping, obtaining water from natural sources and carrying all food and equipment for the proposed 21 day trip. In this manner the walk becomes free or "unplugged" and is part of my larger Four Nation's coast to coast endeavour, of which details can be found at Transnationcoast2coast.com



The most important component in a successful long distance walk....
is getting this right.


My New Balance 561's ready for retirement

These trail shoes have now passed their best after a combined 500+ miles on my C2C's alone.

(They have served well, but I found the worn soles lacking grip on this trip and would have been better taking my INOV-8 Mudclaw 330 fell running shoes.)

Combined with these shock absorbing insoles...


 
Sorbothane Insoles
and these homemade carbon stone barriers...


proved to be a good footwear combination.

These fantastic socks are highly recommended...


1000 Mile Approach Socks


as is this friction reducing and water repellent ointment. (Reapply daily, use a latex glove or plastic bag to avoid having to wash hands.) 
Hydropel Sports Ointment

All of the above worked well together to provide a footwear/care solution which, considering the harsh enviroment (3 weeks submerged in peaty water), mileage and terrain, kept my feet in good order. Blisters were only experienced initially, as I neglected to tape my heels, but early attention meant no further problems.

 Leukotape is very good for this purpose, if not a little expensive.
Leukotape Zinc Oxide tape

Friar's balsam, applied on the area to be taped, protects the skin from allergy to the adhesive in the tape, but mostly it makes the tape adhere much longer. It can be used in the toughening of skin exposed to the tincture and be applied to minor cuts as a styptic and antiseptic.


Friar's Balsam or Tincture of Benzoin