TGO Challenge / TGO Challenge 2022

TGO 2022 – Preparation ponderings

Two weeks to I’m finally setting off for the long awaited TGO of 2022! This is the TGO that I applied for back in 2019 which for obvious reasons got cancelled during 2020. I remember back in early 2020 trying to be hopeful that the challenge would still go ahead and COVID would be over within a few weeks, how wrong was I! 2021 I had the option to take up my place which ran later than usual, June rather than May. Having already waited 3 years since completing my 2017 crossing, also mindful that my next TGO will be …

TGO Challenge / TGOC2020

TGO Challenge 2020 – Route

So our route has been submitted for vetting, we’ve received our feedback and responded to the requested changes and now we wait for the final approval. The comments we received were, as always, very helpful and extremely detailed. Only a couple of minor tweaks and one FWA (Foul Weather Alternative) to amend. Update: We now have approval, the vetters are happy and rubber stamped our route! Our group consists of Pete (my brother), Dean (DeanRead.net, PeakRoutes.com), Tim and Andy (I met both on 2017 TGO). We’re starting at Mallaig and finishing at Lunan Bay, approx 300km. The first day we …

TGO Challenge / TGOC2017

TGO Route – Vetted & Approved

Having had our vetters feedback and responded to the adjustments the route is now approved and finalised. The comments from the vetters were both very helpful and extremely thorough containing not just sound route advice but some great tips on places to visit. Equally they provided a suggestion on what to avoid, namely the new wind farm currently being constructed at Stronelairg on the Monadhliath (mainly due to the heavy construction traffic/machinery in the area). “…. You have put together a very adventurous route considering you have not backpacked in Scotland before. The weather will very much dictate whether you get …

TGO Challenge / TGOC2017

TGO 2017 – Route Submission

OK a brief update, so the route card has been submitted to the TGO for vetting. The route starts at Plockton on the 12th May and passes through Fort Augustus, Kingussie, the Cairngorms and into Braemar. It then heads south to Lochcallater, Glen Cova, East to Tarfside and then to Montrose via North Water Bridge. 21 Munros, 15 Subsidiary Tops and 11 Corbett/Tops, over 360km with 14,000m of ascent. Here is the route sheets I submitted, which may change subject to vetting (click to enlarge): Vetters comments and final route to follow shortly….

Blog / Blog 2017 / TGO Challenge / TGOC2017

TGO Challenge 2017 – Planning so far

So..I have a place on next years TGO Challenge!! Over the last few weeks I’ve been refining the kit list and working on the route. I’m fairly happy with the kit I’m taking as its pretty much the kit I’ve used over the last few years with a few minor tweaks and additions for the longer duration (spare clothes/socks etc). There are a few items I’ll decide on in the week before I set off e.g. Ice Axe and Crampons being the most significant. It’ll be a tough decision depending on the snow conditions. The route dones’t include very much time …

Blog / Blog 2017 / TGO Challenge / TGOC2017

TGOC 2017 The very draft route….v1

There are many more hours of planning and refining the route yet, however this is the basic route I’m working on. Camping locations are approximate and will be properly defined as the planning continues. I also need to plan the Foul Weather Alternative (FWA) route which will stick to lower levels and skip out the Cairngorms. Once my route has been submitted to TGOC and vetted I’ll upload the final version.