Beca's Long Walk Home - JOGLE
Expedition Foods (EF): Please could you summarise your awesome adventure - what you were aiming to do?
Beca: At the end of April I headed up to John O'Groats to start my "Long Walk Home", walking over 1500 miles across various UK trails and ways, between the two furthest mainland points... And then on to my hometown of Falmouth.
EF: Where did you go and how long did it take you?
Beca: It took me 77 walking days, however I took various rest days along the route, hiked to a festival, took a train to the #savedartmoor rally in London and went to a friends wedding... So it wasn't the traditional style thru hike, but for me, as long as I walked home, that's all that mattered.
EF: What were the highlights of your walk?
Beca: The biggest highlight was human kindness. I had a farmer let me stay in their house for a night when I was charged by cows, a campsite owner let me stay in their DIY shepherds hut to shelter from a storm, someone walked me to their mums house for water when the river source I needed was contaminated with silage, I even had a couple on their honeymoon drive me to a supermarket when I ran out of food. Every time I was in desperate need, a beautiful soul appeared and made life that much easier.
EF: If you could do it all again, is there anything you would do differently?
Beca: At the start of the hike, I really cared what people thought of me on my socials... I felt I should wild camp every night, have minimal rest days, hike 20+ miles consistently, as this is the impression I had from thru hikers online. But after 700 miles of plantar fasciitis, I realised campsites with good sleep helped me heal, rest days aided recovery, and by adding that little bit of luxury at points on trail, I was able to walk further and felt happier.
EF: You mentioned enjoying your Expedition Foods meal; could you give us a quick review?
Beca: I had the 800kcal Vegan Mushroom Risotto and it was absolutely delicious. It rehydrated really quickly and effectivity, without the dry crunchie bits you sometimes get in dried food. The flavour was on point, and I was impressed at the calorie-to-weight ratio of the product!
EF: What advice would you give to people aiming for the JOGLE in future?
Beca: Hike your own hike! I heard this saying so much, and it's so freaking cheesy... But it's also so true. If you want to detour to a festival, DO IT. If you want to take a weekends rest in a fancy hotel with a bath DO IT. If you want to do the whole thing without a rest day DO IT. It's your hike! Own it! Love it!
Check out Beca's latest adventures on Instagram and YouTube:
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