Topwalks Trips - TGO Challenge 2014

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)

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)

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)

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

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