CT-1 Questions answered

How to get to the start point?

We did the route opposite from what most of the information we found on the route suggested. The reasons being:

• Getting back from the official end point at Verusa was going to be difficult as I believe there is not public transport to Podgoricia. 
• Mojkovac to Verusa looked like the most interesting section, so wanted to do this first to ensure we did it. 

We choose to start at Bukumirsko jezero to cut out the 8km walk along the road from Verusa. 

Pre booking the taxi allowed us to ensure we were getting a good price and could start the trail straight away. 

What stove fuel can I get?

We saw shops selling pierce gas canisters. We were not sure before hand whether this was the case, so took a multi-fuel stove instead.  

How much fuel?

For the six days on the CT-1 trail we used less than a litre bottle of petrol. We did carry another 600ml bottle, but we did not use this. 

The stove was used twice a day to boil at least 1 litre of water each time. 

Do I need maps/guidebook?

The Cicerone Mountains of Montenegro guide was worth its weight for the routes in it and the other general information on the country. It is very much designed for day walks, but a lot of the CT-1 is covered in it. 

The Bjelasica Komovi map is also worth having, we bought this online beforehand. Although it is not always accurate, it gave a great overview of the majority of the trail. 

We would recommend having both. 

What kit do I need?

Although used to doing 1 night expeditions, we felt the need to do a practise expedition. This gave us the chance to work out what we really needed and how much we could physically carry. 

Upon return we listed what we had in out bags and the weights of items.

Jo's bag

Pete's bag

Food and water is not included in the calculations 

We both felt that we needed less clothes, this would have sufficed:

• Light waterproof jacket
• Insulated jacket
• 1 shorts
• 1 zip off trousers
• 3 t-shirts
• 1 fleece
• socks and underwear personal choice

What was the weather like?

It was end of August/beginning of September. The weather was 17 to 25 degrees Celsius in the mountains in the day time. Long sleeves and sometimes the primaloft jacket was used in the evenings. 

Over the first couple of days there was a very small amount of rain during late afternoon. Being so warm, we did not need waterproofs. One night there was more prolonged rain.

How many days' food should I carry?

We read 5-8 days was the amount of time to allow for this section of the CT-1. The day lengths were dictated a lot by where water supplies were. Distances covered each day were, 2km, 20km, 15,km, 20km, 19km, 10km. 

We opted for six days of food, with a couple of extra cuppa soups/noodles in case we struggled to find more food for lunches. 

What food to take?

We dehydrated various fruit and vegetables before leaving to give some extra variety to meals. Onion, tomato, mushrooms, ham, pineapple and kidney beans worked the best. 

Evening meals also consisted of couscous, super noodles or smash. Tinned fish and cuppa soups was also a nice addition. 

Breakfasts were oats-so-good packs with dried fruit.

Lunch was bread, cheese and dried meat. 

Snacks was a self made trail mix and oats and peanut butter bars.