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Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2011 page - includes a link to blog postings

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Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2013 page - includes a link to blog postings

Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2014 page - includes a link to blog postings

TGO CHALLENGE 2015

Note - successfully completed - this page to be updated in due course. Blog entries here.

This year Martin plans to cross Scotland for the ninth time, with Sue attempting her fourth crossing after a six year break from backpacking. It's an easy route from Dornie to Nether Woodston, but on as few as possible paths that we've walked before. We plan to cover about 314 km (196 miles) and ascend around 11,700 metres, our shortest and easiest Challenge to date.

Martin will be blogging as he potters along. The entries will be 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.

Our kit summary is shown below.

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:
TGO Challenge 2015 overview
   

Day 1 - Friday 8 May
1 Dornie
2 Bundalloch
3 Camas-luinie
4 Path junction
5 Carnach
6
Iron Lodge
8
Camp around NH 063 288

Plan
22 km
800 metres ascent
8.7 hours

(No summits)

Day 1

Actual

 

   

Day 2 - Saturday 9 May
1 Camp around NH 063 288
2 Carn na Breabag (Ma)(G)
3 Meall Shuas (O)

4 An Socach (M)(Ma)
5
An Socach East Top
6 An Riab'n West Top (MT)

7 An Riab'n SW Top (MT)
8 An Riabhachan (M)(Ma)
9 An Riab'n NE Top (exMT)
10 Sgurr na Lapaich (M)(Ma)
11 Sgurr nan Clachan Geald (MT)
10 Sgurr na Lapaich (M)(Ma)
12
Camp at Loch Tuill Bhearnach

Plan
17 km
1850 metres ascent
9.3 hours
(3 Munros)
(1 Graham)

(5 Others)

Day 2

Actual

 

   

Day 3 - Sunday 10 May
1 Camp at Loch Tuill Bhearnach
2 Carn nan Gobhar (M)(Ma)
3 Mullach na Maoile (O)

4 Allt Mullardoch
5 By Loch Mullardoch
6
By Liatrie
8 By Craskie
9 Cannich
10 Kerrow House B&B

Plan
25 km
550 metres ascent
9.2 hours

(1 Munro)
(1 Other)

Day 3

Actual

 

   

Day 4 - Monday 11 May
1 Kerrow House B&B
3
Tomich
4
Guisachan
5
By Loch na Beinne Moire
6 River Enrick
8 Camp at NH 353 234

Plan
15 km
580 metres ascent
6.1 hours

(No summits)

Day 4

Actual

 

   

Day 5 - Tuesday 12 May
1 Camp at NH 353 234
2 By Loch ma Stac
3
Meall a'Chrathaich (G)(Ma)
4 Meall a'Chrathaich ETop (O)
5 Meall nan Oighreagan (O)

7
By Loch nam Meur
8 Loch Aslaich
9 Drumnadrochit
10
Aslaich B&B

Plan
22 km
500 metres ascent
8.1 hours
(1 Graham)
(2 Others)

Day 5

Actual

 

   

Day 6 - Wednesday 13 May
1 Aslaich B&B
3 Temple Pier
4 Inverfarigaig Pier
6
Aultnagoire
7 Newlands
8 Farraline
9 Creag a'Chliabhain (Ma)
10 Conagleann
11
Bridge
12 Beinn Mheadhoin (Ma)

13 Camp at river confluence
(NH 610 206)

Plan
21 km
1000 metres ascent
8.9 hours

(2 Marilyns)

Day 6

Actual

 

   

Day 7 - Thursday 14 May
1 Camp at river confluence
(NH 610 206)
2 Lunch hut

3 Carn Odhar (O)
4 Beinn Bhreac Bheag (O)
5 Allt Calder
6 River Findhorn
7 By Coignascallan
8 River crossing - Allt a'Mhuilin
9 Bridge - Allt a'Mhuilin
10 Camp near bothy at River Dulnain (NH 786 136)

Plan
26 km
950 metres ascent
10.3 hours

(2 Others)

Day 7

Actual

 

   

Day 8 - Friday 15 May
1 Camp near bothy at River Dulnain (NH 786 136)
2 Red Bothy
4 Geal-charn Mor (C)(Ma)
5
Lynwilg
8 Vermont Guest House, Aviemore

Plan
21 km
600 metres ascent
8.0 hours

Day 8

Actual

 

   

Day 9 - Saturday 16 May
1 Vermont Guest House
3 Inverdruie
4 Coylumbridge
6 Cairngorm Club Footbridge
8
Path junction
9
Sron na Lairige (MT)

10 Braeriach (M)(Ma)
11 Stob Coire an Lochain (exMT)
12
Camp at Wells of Dee
(NN 938 989)

Plan
21 km
1250 metres ascent
9.5 hours
(1 Munro)
(2 Other)

 

Day 9

Actual

 

   

Day 10 - Sunday 17 May
1 Camp at Wells of Dee
(NN 938 989)

2 Carn na Criche (MT)
3 The Angels Peak (M)
4 Cairn Toul (M)(Ma)

5 Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir (MT)
6
The Devil's Point (M)
7 Corrour Bothy
11
Glen Luibeg
13 Derry Lodge

16 Mar Lodge
17
Victoria Bridge
18 Path to Birkwood
19 Thornbank Cottage, Braemar

Plan
32 km
880 metres ascent
12.2 hours

(3 Munros)
(2 Other)

Day 10

Actual

 

   

Day 11 - Monday 18 May
1 Thornbank Cottage, Braemar
3 Auchallater

6 Lochcallater Lodge
8 Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (M)
9 Cairn Bannoch (M)
10 Cairn of Gowal (MT)

11 Craig of Gowal (MT)
12 Creag an Dubh-loch (MT)
13 Broad Cairn (M)
14 Sandy Hillock (O)

15 Broom Hill (O)
Camp near summit

Plan
24 km
1150 metres ascent
10.4 hours
(3 Munros)
(5 Others)

Day 11

Actual

 

   

Day 12 - Tuesday 19 May
1 Camp near summit of Broom Hill (NO 278 798)
2 Dog Hillock (O)
3 Ferrowie (O)
4 Lair of Aldararie (O)
5 Wester Balloch (O)
6 By ruin
7 Turn to Hunt Hill
8 Hunt Hill (G)(Ma)

9 Falls of Unich
10 Glenlee
11 Path junction
13 Hill of Rowan (O)
15 Tarfside

Plan
30 km
970 metres ascent
11.7 hours

(1 Graham)
(5 Others)

Day 12

Actual

 

   

Day 13 - Wednesday 20 May
1 Tarfside
2 Cairncross
3 The Retreat
4 Millden Lodge

5 By Fernybank
6 Bridge at Millden Lodge
7 Dalbog
9 Gannochy

10 Bridge at Edzell
12 North Water Bridge Campsite

Plan
28 km
350 metres ascent
10.0 hours

(No summits)

Day 13

Actual

 

   

Day 14 - Thursday 21 May
1 North Water Bridge Campsite
3 South of Marymill
6 Mains of Woodstone
7 Nether Woodston (finish)
9 St Cyrus
for bus to Montrose

Plan
17 km
270 metres ascent
6.0 hours

(No summits)

 

Day 14

Actual

 

   

2015 Plan
Total Distance 314 km (196miles)
Total Ascent 11700 metres
Time
130 hours including stops

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

NB Timings are based on 3.0 kph, plus an hour for each 500 metres of ascent. 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
(M solo)
2014
(M solo)
       
Total Distance in km (miles)
374 (234)
324 (202)
       
Ascent in metres
10,580
11,410
       
Hours taken including stops
114
115
       
Munros
2
4
       
Corbetts
0
4
       
Grahams
3
1
       
Marilyns not included above
4
2
       

Kit

TGOC Kit List 2015
Item Martin gms Sue gms
Carried
Tent - Hilleberg Nallo 2 Entire tent 2100 0
Rucksac Jaguar 65 1900   Jaguar GR65L KS60ht 1800
Rucksac liner Sea to Summit 70 litre 115   Sea to Summit 50 litre 85
Plastic bags/day sac Stuff sac / two small dry bags 155   Waterproof 0
Sleeping bag Rab Quantum 400 984   Rab Quantum 400 915
Liner Rab 122   Rab 130
Sleeping mat Karrimat 310   Thermarest - Neoair 378
Sitmat 0   Purple 20
Waterproof top Rab Mountain Dru 584   Bergans Super Lett Lady (new) 390
Waterproof trousers Sprayway 265   RAB Vidda (new) 205
Fleece jacket See below 0   See below 0
Neckerchief 0   White 0
Balaclava Swix 35   TGO Buff 37
Headband 0   0
Walking poles see below 0   see below 0
Socks Sealskinz x 2 214   Bridgedale + Sealskinz 185
Trainers Saucony Hattori 245   Saucony Hattori 245
Socks for trainers Bridgedale Coolmax 30   Liners 30
Briefs M&S x 2 114   Rohan X-stinctive x 2 65
  Bra 50
T-shirt Icebreaker 200 190   Icebreaker 200 170
Extra warmth Blue silk top  0 0
Down jacket 0 0
Trousers See below 0   Patagonia leggings 150
Spare handkerchief One 15   0
Bag for clothes Tesco 0 0
Torch Petzyl 26   Black Diamond 0
Gloves X-tremities 73   Thin 40
Second gloves Goretex X-tremities 128   Mountain Designs 70
Stove MSR Superfly 155 0
Gas cylinders One 375 0
Pan + cosy Snowpeak titanium set 218 0
Windshield Aluminium 40 0
Mug Blue 70   Green 70
Plate Green 70   Green 70
Cutlery Two spoons 20   Folding spork 15
Nuts and raisins 215 200
Flexible Chopping board 0 0
Swiss knife/can opener Sharp knife and pens 43   Swiss 100
J-cloth, scourer, basic provisions T-bags, salt, pepper, etc 235   J-cloths for tent and self 0
1+ days food each Food for 1.5 days 1625   Food for 1 day 1225
Dried milk (M) 90 0
Water bottle Laken 160   Plastic 'source' 30
Water, say 850 500
Second water bottle Nalgene 110   Nalgene 150
Third water bottle Blue folding 55 0
Water filter Sawyer Mini 90 0
Camera and case Lumix FT4 - see below 0   0
Monocular Brunton 60 0
Spare batteries for torch and camera 1 x camera, 2 x GPS, 2 x phone 600   0
Tripod 0 0
Maps and paperwork Toughprint - Anquet 350   Back up + mapcase 180
Docs and wallet Lifeventure + specs 210   Small 100
Notebook see below 0 0
Book to read 0   Kindle 204
Toilet roll and matches 115 0
Spectacles Incl case (see above) 0 0
Sunglasses Julbo 60   Bloc 90
Compass Silva 30   Silva 35
GPS Garmin Etrex10 150 0
Whistle Metal 16 10
First aid kit Incl bag 300   Sundry items 80
Suntan cream and lipsalve Sundry 55   Sundry 80
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss Included below   Included below 0
Shampoo, razor, comb, nail clips etc Complete wash kit 400   Wash kit 150
Towel Lifeventure hand towel 75   Lifeventure hand towel 75
Plasters, Aspirin, Diacalm, savlon, etc In 1st aid kit 0 0
Nail clippers In toilet bag 0 0
Other toiletries In toilet bag 0 0
Soap for washing self + clothes Dry wash/soap elsewhere 0 0
Soap flakes 0 0
Matches, needle, thread, tape Included elsewhere 0 0
Passport, licence, currency, etc  )
Wallet ) See above 0   See above 0
Tickets, insurance, paperwork )
Addresses for postcards/this list )
Keys Home 20 0
Vaseline In bag 0 0
Mobile Phone + case + charger 206 0
Boot cleaner 0 0
Trowel Plastic, + handwash + bag 180 0
Tent spares, midge rep/net, talc etc 10   Sundry items 0
Washing line etc 0
Baby wipes 210
15073 8329
Worn
Fleece smock Rab TGO special  240   Rab Strata Hoodie 385
T-shirt Patagonia 104   Rohan X-stinctive 90
Socks X-socks 86   Bridgedale 95
Briefs Rohan Cool Silver 40   Rohan X-stinctive + bra 85
Shorts/trousers North Face 385   North Face 280
Belt 100
Sunhat TGO buff 37   Tilley 90
Handkerchief One 15   One 20
Watch/clock Suunto Altimax 55   Casio 30
Gaiters OR Mens Crocodile  305   OR 200
Boots Scarpa Mustang GTX with Sidas Insoles 1480   Scarpa 1450
Walking poles Pacerpoles 700   Makalu Ultralight 440
Notebook 45
Mapcase Ortlieb A4 55
Camera and case Panasonic Lumix FT4 250
3897 3165
18970 11494

Links

The TGO Challenge official website

Return to top

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
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2013 page
Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2014 page