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TGO CHALLENGE 2013

This year Martin crossed Scotland for the seventh time, though only on a very few paths that he had walked before. Starting from Plockton, he planned to cover about 366km (222 miles) and ascend around 11,500 metres, finishing up covering 374km and 10,580 metres ascent.

Martin's blog entries are here - you'll need to scroll down to the earliest posting and work backwards up the page to view the entries in chronological order. Photos will be added in due course if time permits. This job still has to be completed for a number of previous Challenges!

Planned route details are shown below, and you may wish to refer back to these if following the blog, as this year the daily 'plan' map will not appear on the blog. Whilst a number of others in the UK Outdoors Blogger fraternity are taking part, not all of them enjoy the rigours of 'mobile posting' after a hard day's walk. Some links to such sites may be added later, but we know that Gayle and Mick will be recording their passage in Gayle's usual entertaining style, and Alan Sloman should be recording his adventures with an eclectic mix of companions.

Martin's kit summary is shown below. Some items have been replaced, but overall weight, including food, clothing worn, and some water, is around 18kg, as in 2011.

Planned Route and Estimated Statistics
(M) = Munro
(C) = Corbett
(G) = Graham

(Ma = Marilyn)
(O = Other Hill)

Map
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Summary statistics
Here's an overview of the entire route:
Martin's planned TGO Challenge route - 2013
   

Day 1 - Friday 10 May
1 PLOCKTON (Plockton Hotel)
2 Loch Achaidh na h-Inich
4 Auchtertyre Hill (Ma)
5 Maol Mor (O)
9 Loch nan Gillean

Plan
22 km
1130 metres ascent
9.2 hours

(1 Marilyn)
(1 Other)

Day 1 Map

   

Day 2 - Saturday 11 May
1 Loch nan Gillean
7 Bendronaig Lodge

8 Loch Calavie
10 Bidean a’ Choire Sheasgaich (M)
11 Lurg Mor (M)
12 Camp to NE of col

Plan
24 km
1440 metres ascent
10.75 hours
(2 Munros)

Day 2 Map

 

 

Day 3 - Sunday 12 May
1 Camp to NE of col
5 Path junction by Loch Monar
8 Carn Eiteige (O)

8-9 Sgurr na Fearstaig (O)
9 Sgurr Fhuar-thuill (M)
10
Creag Ghorm a’ Bhealaich (O)
11 High lochan at NH 251 436

Plan
24 km
1340 metres ascent
10.7 hours

(1 Munro)
(3 Others)

Day 3 Map

 

 

Day 4 - Monday 13 May
1 High lochan at NH 251 436
2
Sgurr a’ Choire Ghlais (M)
3
Carn nan Gobhar (M)
4
Sgurr na Ruaidhe (M)
5 Aonach na Reise
6
Meallan Buidhe (O)
7
Beinn a’ Bha’ ach Ard (C)
8 Dunmaglass
10 Cnoc Hotel, Struy

Plan
25 km
1150 metres ascent
11.0 hours
(3 Munros)

(1 Corbett)
(1 Other)

Day 4 Map

 

 

Day 5 - Tuesday 14 May
1 Cnoc Hotel, Struy
4 Eskadale
5
Culburnie
7 By Moniack Burn
8 An Leacainn (O)

10
Cnoc na Gaoithe (O)
12 Dochgarroch Campsite

Plan
33 km
910 metres ascent
12.1 hours
(2 Other)

Day 5 Map

 

 

Day 6 - Wednesday 15 May
1 Dochgarroch Campsite
4 Culloden Village
5 Culloden Battlefield
6
Dalroy
7 Wild camp in vicinity of
NH 785 418

Plan
27 km
580 metres ascent
9.0 hours

Day 6 Map

 

 

Day 7 - Thursday 16 May
1 Wild camp in vicinity of
NH 785 418

3 Beinn Bhuidhe Mhòr (O)
3-4 Carn Dubh Mòr (O)
4 Carn nan Tri-tighearnan (G)
5
Carn an Uillt Bhric
6 Bridge at Drynachan
6-7 Carn na Sguabaich (O)

7 Wild camp in vicinity of hut at
NH 888 362

Plan
18 km
650 metres ascent
7.1 hours

(1 Graham)
(3 Others)

Day 7 Map

 

 

Day 8 - Friday 17 May
1 Wild camp in vicinity of hut at
NH 888 362

3 Track by Knockdu
4 B9007 junction
5
Drumroy
6 Loch an t-Sidhein
8 Beinn Mhòr (Ma)

9 West Gorton
10 Grantown-on-Spey (Campsite)

Plan
25 km
600 metres ascent
9.0 hours

(1 Marilyn)

Day 8 Map

 

 

Day 9 - Saturday 18 May
1 Grantown-on-Spey
2 A95 at Cromdale
3 By Wester Rynaballoch
4 Cromdale watershed
5 By Ballenlish
7
Carn Daimh (Ma)
8
Wild camp in vicinity of
NJ 180 263

Plan
26 km
900 metres ascent
9.75 hours
(1 Marilyn)

 

Day 9 Map

 

 

Day 10 - Sunday 19 May
1 Wild camp in vicinity of
NJ 180 263

2 Tomnavoulin
4 Suie
6 Cook's Cairn (G)

7 Path by Blackwater Lodge
8 The Grouse Inn at Ardwell
9 Wild camp by Ardwell

Plan
27 km
720 metres ascent
9.8 hours

(1 Graham)

Day 10 Map

 

 

Day 11 - Monday 20 May
1 Wild camp by Ardwell
3 Succoth

4 Haugh of Glass
5 By Malach
6 Cairnargat
7 Wellheads
8 Clashmach Hill (O)
9 Huntly

10 Huntly Campsite

Plan
28 km
560 metres ascent
9.75 hours
(1 Other)

Day 11 Map

 

 

Day 12 - Tuesday 21 May
1 Huntly Campsite
2 Huntly
3 A97
4 Brideswell
5 Ythanwells
6 Logie Newton
7 Thorneybank
8 Mid Pitglassie
9 Braefoot
10 Turriff - Campsite

Plan
32 km
440 metres ascent
10.4 hours

Day 12 Map

 

 

Day 13 - Wednesday 22 May
1 Turriff - Campsite
2 Meikle Hilton
3 Fintry
4 Mains of Fisherie
5 A98 road
6 Dubford
7 Gardenstown

8 Troup Head
9 By Cullykhan bay
10 Pennan Inn

Plan
30 km
710 metres ascent
10.6 hours

Day 13 Map

 

 

Day 14 - Thursday 23 May
1 Pennan Inn
2 Pennan Farm
3 Mill Farm
4 By Egypt
5 Rosehearty
6 Sandhaven
8 Frazerburgh
Lift back to Montrose with Sue, plus possibly Lilo Pete and West Indian William

Plan
20 km
350 metres ascent
6.75 hours

 

Day 14 Map

 

 

2013 Plan
Total Distance 361 km (225 miles)
Total Ascent 11480 metres
Time
135 hours including stops

6 Munros
1 Corbett
2 Grahams
3 Marilyns not included above
11 'Other' hills

NB Timings are based on 3.5 kph, plus an hour for each 500 metres of ascent and another hour for each 1000 metres of descent. This is realistic in the mountains but very conservative for the easier sections of the walk.

Actual
2012
(S+M)
2011 (M+Mike)
2010
(M solo)
2009
(S+M)
2008
(S+M)
2007
(M solo)
Total Distance in km (miles)
426 (266)
350 (219)
347 (217)
333 (208)
323 (202)
343 (214)
Ascent in metres
10,100
12,130
15,500
12,400
12,544
12,942
Hours taken including stops
114
115
136
118
112
113
Munros
2
5
2
13
16
2
Corbetts
1
3
16
1
3
8
Grahams
0
2
4
3
1
2
Marilyns not included above
4
3
1
0
0
1
Actual
2013
         
Total Distance in km (miles)
374 (234)
         
Ascent in metres
10,580
         
Hours taken including stops
114
         
Munros
2
         
Corbetts
0
         
Grahams
3
         
Marilyns not included above
4
         

Kit
The overall weight is similar to that carried in 2011, though some items have been replaced - notably the tent.

TGOC Kit List 2013
Item Martin Notes
 
gms
Base
Tent  Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 1310
Rucksac Lowe-Alpine Nanon 50:60 Hyperlite 1430
Rucksac liner Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil 50l Cordura 90
Plastic bags/day sac Various 55
Sleeping bag Rab Quantum 400 915
Liner Silk 128
Sleeping mat Thermarest Neoair Xlite 375
Sitmat 0
Waterproof top Rab Mountain Dru 580
Waterproof trousers Sprayway Anakin 270
Crampons Grivel Spider  187 May not take these
Buff/neckerchief TGO 35
Balaclava Dartmouth 0
Headband Pink 30
Socks Sealskinz  100
Trainers Saucony Hattori 246
Socks for trainers Coolmax liners 33
Briefs Rohan Cool Silver 40
T-shirt TNF long-sleeved 153
Extra warmth NF Long johns 115
Down jacket 0
Trousers See below 0
Spare handkerchief One 15
Bag for clothes See above 0
Torch Black Diamond Ion 27
Gloves Thin 25
Second gloves Terra Nova Extremities 75
Overmitts Trekmates Paclite 75
Stove MSR Superfly 155
Gas cylinders Two 575 1 x 230 + 1 x 100
Pan + cosy Snowpeak titanium set 200 1 pan plus lid and cosy
Windshield Aluminium 40
Mug Red 70
Plate Green 66
Cutlery Plastic spork 10
Spoon 8
Fire Steel Firesteel 2.0 Scout 30
Flexible Chopping board 0
Swiss knife/can opener Sharp knife + can opener 33
J-cloth, scourer, basic provisions Salt, pepper, etc 90
Water bottle Laken 160
Second water bottle Nalgene 110
Third water bottle Ortlieb 2 litre 80
Water filter Travel Tap 130
Binoculars Brunton momocular 60
Spare batteries for torch and camera Camera, phone, GPS 160 Cam x 1, phone x 3, GPS x 0, watch x 1, marker
Tripod Pacerpole 37
Maps and documents Anquet 220
Mapcase Ortlieb A4 57
Docs and wallet HiGear 120
Notebook 50
Book to read Kindle 200
Toilet roll and matches 85
Spectacles Incl case 35 Foster Grant (+1.75)
Sunglasses Julbo 60
Compass Silva Field Compass 30
GPS Satmap Active 10 + Ortlieb case 250
Whistle On rucksack 0
First aid kit Incl bag 380
Suntan cream and lipsalve Sundry 112
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss Included below
Shampoo, comb, nail clips etc Complete wash kit 280
Razor Battery operated 150
Towel Lifeventure hand towel 75
Plasters, Aspirin, Diacalm, savlon, etc In 1st aid kit 0
Nail clippers In toilet bag 0
Other toiletries In toilet bag 0
Soap for washing self + clothes Dry wash/soap elsewhere 0
Soap flakes 0
Matches, needle, thread, tape Included elsewhere 0
Passport, licence, currency, etc  )
Wallet ) See above 0
Tickets, insurance, paperwork )
Addresses for postcards/this list )
Keys Car 0
Vaseline In bag 0
Mobile Phone + case + charger Samsung Galaxy S3 260
Boot cleaner 0
Trowel Plastic, + handwash + bag 125
Tent spares, midge rep/net, talc etc 0 With tent
Skin so Soft - for midges 0
Washing line etc Incl above 0
10812
Consumables
Food Friday 636
Saturday 726
Sunday 745
Monday 300
Dried milk (M) 65
Water, say 850
3322
14134
Worn
Fleece smock Rab TGO special (2007) 227
T-shirt Rohan  100
Socks X-socks Trekking Light 72
Briefs Rohan Cool Silver 40
Shorts/trousers Rohan Trailblazer Convertible 370
Belt 100
Sunhat Tilley 145
Handkerchief One 15
Watch/clock Suunto Altimax 55
Gaiters OR Mens Crocodile  305
Boots Scarpa Infinity with Sidas Insoles 1540
Walking poles Pacerpoles 725
Camera and case Panasonic Lumix FT4 250
3944
Grand Total 18078
 

Links

The TGO Challenge official website

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Return to home page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2007 page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2008 page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2009 page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2010 blog postings

Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2011 page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2012 page