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

Go to TGO CHALLENGE 2012 page - includes a link to blog postings

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

TGO CHALLENGE 2014

This year Martin crossed Scotland for the eighth time, again on very few paths that he has walked before. Starting from Morar, he planned to cover about 355km (222 miles) and ascend around 14,500 metres, and he actually managed 324km (202 miles) and 11,410 metres of ascent.

Martin blogged as he stumbled along. The 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 his usual eclectic mix of companions. Martin's route should be more sociable than last year's, so entries may be more sparse.

Martin's kit summary is shown below. Some items have been replaced, and overall weight, including food, clothing worn, and some water, is nearer 16kg than the 18kg of previous years.

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:
TGOC 2014 overview
   

Day 1 - Friday 9 May
1 MORAR - Camusdarach
2 Morar
3 Roadhead
4 Tarbet
6 Sgurr Mor (O)
7 Sgurr Breac (O)
8 Sgurr nam Meirleach (O)

Plan
26 km
1570 metres ascent
11.2 hours
(3 Others)

Day 1

Actual
26 km
1360 metres ascent
10.5 hours incl 1.5 hours stops
(3 Others)

Links to blog (to be inserted):
Index
Day 1
As planned after a slow start via bus from Lochailort and a visit to the beach. Walked all day with Jayme Morgan and Peter Molenaar, and with Heather T-S and non-Challenger David from beyond Sgurr Mor. Good weather and good company, with Jeremy Prall also on the hill

   

Day 2 - Saturday 10 May
1 Sgurr nam Meirleach
 2 Sgurr na h-Aide (O)
3 Bidean a'Chabhair (C)
6 Glendessarry
7 Strathan
10 Sgurr Mhurlagain (C)
11 Camp above Loch Blair

Plan
23 km
1350 metres ascent
10.6 hours
(2 Corbetts)
(1 Other)

Day 2

Actual
20 km
1070 metres ascent
10.7 hours incl 2 hours stops
(2 Corbetts)
(1 Other)

 
   

Day 3 - Sunday 11 May
1 Camp above Loch Blair
2 Meall Blair (G)
3 Sgurr Choinich (G)
4 Carn Dubh (O)
5 Geal Charn (C)
6 Meall Coire nan Saobhaidh (O)
7 Meall na h-Eilde (C)
10 Achnacarry
11 Torness Camp Site

Plan
30 km
1560 metres ascent
13.6 hours
(2 Corbetts)
(2 Grahams)
(2 Others)

Day 3

Actual
27 km
400 metres ascent
8 hours incl 2 hours stops

 
   

Day 4 - Monday 12 May
1 Torness Camp Site
4 Leana Mhor (G)
5 Beinn Iaruinn (C)
6 Turret Bridge
7 Annat
8 Camp at NN 357 917

Plan
24 km
1200 metres ascent
10.2 hours
(1 Corbett)
(1 Graham)

Day 4

Actual
25 km
1200 metres ascent
9.1 hours incl 1.6 hours stops
(1 Corbett)
(1 Graham)
(1 Other)

 
   

Day 5 - Tuesday 13 May
 1 Camp at NN 357 917
4 Lochan Uaine
5 The Window
6 Stob Poite Coire Ardair (M)
5 The Window
7 Creag Meagaidh (M)
8 Moy Burn
10 Wild camp by Lochan na h-Earba

Plan
24 km
1200 metres ascent
12.1 hours
(2 Munros)

Day 5

Actual
25 km
1130 metres ascent
10.1 hours incl 2.1 hours stops
(2 Munros)

 
   

Day 6 - Wednesday 14 May
1 Wild camp by Lochan na h-Earba
2 Binnein Shuas (G)
3 BinneinShios (G)
6 By River Pattack
8 By River Mashie
15 Dalwhinnie (for bus to Newtonmore Hostel)

Plan
29 km
1100 metres ascent
11.5 hours
(2 Grahams)

Day 6

Actual
29 km
470 metres ascent
8 hours incl 1.8 hours stops

 
   

Day 7 - Thursday 15 May
1 Dalwhinnie
5 Carn na Caim (M)
7 By Lochan a'Ghaorra
10 Wild camp in vicinity Feith Ghorm Ailleag at NN 808 811

Plan
22 km
1000 metres ascent
9.1 hours
(1 Munro)

Day 7

Actual
21 km
900 metres ascent
7.1 hours incl 1.2 hours stops
(1 Munro)
(1 Other)

 
   

Day 8 - Friday 16 May
1 Wild camp in vicinity Feith Ghorm Ailleag at NN 808 811
3 By Tom Liath
4 Ford across Tarf Water
5 Falls of Tarf
6 Wild camp at Bynack Lodge

Plan
27 km
600 metres ascent
9.5 hours

Day 8

Actual
26 km
420 metres ascent
9.7 hours incl 2.2 hours stops

 
   

Day 9 - Saturday 17 May
1 Wild camp at Bynack Lodge
2 Buachaille Breige (O)
3 Join Land Rover Track
4 Inverey
7 Morrone (C)
8 Braemar

Plan
23 km
1000 metres ascent
9.75 hours
(1 Corbett)
(1 Other)

 

Day 9

Actual
24 km
700 metres ascent
6.3 hours incl 1 hour stops
(5 Other)

 
   

Day 10 - Sunday 18 May
1 Braemar
2 Creag Choinnich (O)
8 Easter Balmoral
11 Creag Ghiubhais (Ma)
16 Ballater (Campsite)

Plan
30 km
750 metres ascent
10.9 hours
(1 Marilyn)
(1 Other)

Day 10

Actual
33 km
750 metres ascent
9.1 hours incl 1.6 hours stops
(1 Marilyn)
(1 Other)

 
   

Day 11 - Monday 19 May
1 Ballater campsite
5 Mount Keen (M)
8 Hill of Rowan (O)
10 Tarfside

Plan
28 km
1220 metres ascent
11.5 hours
(1 Munro)
(1 Other)

Day 11

Actual
29 km
1200 metres ascent
8.3 hours incl 1.9 hours stops
(1 Munro)
(1 Other)

 
   

Day 12 - Tuesday 20 May
1 Tarfside
2 Cairncross
3 The Retreat (breakfast)
2 Cairncross
4 Blackcraigs
5 Mount Een (O)
leading to Bennygray (O)
and Wester Cairn (O)
6 Mount Battock (C)
9 Wild camp by Burn of Badymicks

Plan
20 km
800 metres ascent
7.9 hours
(1 Corbett)
(3 Others)

Day 12

Actual
17 km
650 metres ascent
5.5 hours incl 1.3 hours stops
(1 Corbett)
(3 Other)

 
   

Day 13 - Wednesday 21 May
1Wild camp by Burn of Badymicks
2 Charr Bothy
3 By Glendye Lodge
7 Kerloch (Ma)
8 Glenskinnan
9 Wild camp in vicinity of NO 721 876

Plan
20 km
850 metres ascent
8.1 hours
(1 Marilyn)

Day 13

Actual
20 km
650 metres ascent
7.1 hours incl 2.3 hours stops
(1 Marilyn)

 
   

Day 14 - Thursday 22 May
1 Wild camp in vicinity of NO 721 876
5 Elf Hill (O)
6 By Cheyne Hill
7 Middle Toucks
8 Dunnottar Castle (finish)
9 Stonehaven
for bus to Montrose

Plan
29 km
550 metres ascent
10.1 hours
(1 Other)

 
Day 14

Actual
28 km
510 metres ascent
5.5 hours incl 0.7 hours stops

 
   

2014 Plan
Total Distance 355 km (222 miles)
Total Ascent 14500 metres
Time 143 hours including stops

4 Munros
7 Corbetts
5 Grahams
2 Marilyns not included above
13 '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
(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
The overall weight is a little lower this year, but there are very few new items.

TGOC Kit List 2014
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 75
Sleeping bag Rab Neutrino Endurance 400 980
Liner Silk 123
Sleeping mat Thermarest Neoair Xlite 380
Sitmat 0 Not taken
Waterproof top Rab Mountain Dru 580
Waterproof trousers Sprayway Anakin 270
Crampons Grivel Spider  0 Not taken
Buff/neckerchief TGO 35
Balaclava Dartmouth 0 Not taken
Headband Pink 0 Not taken
Socks Sealskinz  100  
Trainers Saucony Hattori 246
Socks for trainers Coolmax liners 33
Briefs Rohan Cool Silver 40
T-shirt TNF long-sleeved 134
Extra warmth NF Long johns 0 Not taken
Down jacket 0 Not taken
Trousers See below 0
Spare handkerchief One 15
Bag for clothes See above 0
Torch Petzyl e-lite 26
Gloves Lowe Alpine Thin 33  
Second gloves Terra Nova Extremities 75
Waterproof gloves TN Extremities - Corbetts 130  
Stove MSR Superfly 155
Gas cylinders One 380 1 x 230
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 Broke, as did its replacement
Spoon 8
Fire Steel Firesteel 2.0 Scout 0 Not taken
Flexible Chopping board 0 Not taken
Swiss knife/can opener Knife + can opener + matches + loo roll 180
J-cloth, scourer, basic provisions Salt, pepper, etc 50
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 300 Cam x 1, phone x 3, GPS x 4, watch x 1, marker
Tripod Pacerpole 37
Maps and documents Anquet 250
Mapcase Ortlieb A4 57
Docs and wallet HiGear 155
Notebook 60
Book to read Kindle 0 Not taken
Toilet roll and matches see above 0
Spectacles Incl case 35 Foster Grant (+1.75)
Sunglasses Julbo 0 Not taken
Compass Silva Field Compass 30
GPS Garmin Etrex10 150
Whistle On rucksack 0
First aid kit Incl bag 260
Suntan cream and lipsalve Sundry 55
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss Included below
Shampoo, comb, nail clips etc Complete wash kit 200
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 Washing powder/baby wipes/pegs 182
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 25
Vaseline In bag 0
Mobile Phone + case + charger Samsung Galaxy S3 245
Boot cleaner 0 Not taken
Trowel Plastic, + handwash + bag 110
Tent spares, midge rep/net, talc etc 0 With tent
Skin so Soft - for midges 0
Washing line etc Incl above 0
10180
Consumables
Food Friday 630
Saturday 733
Sunday 342
Nuts 264
Dried milk (M) 100
Water, say 400
2469
12649
Worn
Fleece smock Rab TGO special 240
T-shirt Patagonia 104
Socks Bridgedale Trekker 74
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 Mustang GTX with Sidas Insoles 1480
Walking poles Pacerpoles 725
Camera and case Panasonic Lumix FT4 250
3903
Grand Total 16552
 

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