Topwalks Trips - TGO Challenge 2012

TGO CHALLENGE 2012

Sue is back this year, for her third Challenge, whilst Martin will be crossing Scotland for the sixth time. As Sue's neck still prevents her from carrying anything more than a bum bag.... she's not going to carry anything more than a bum bag, That should make for an interesting crossing, which at nearly 400km (250 miles) is rather longer than our previous efforts.

Martin will be blogging as he lumbers 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 (a job that still needs to be done in relation to 2010 and 2011). I'll be trying to tidy all this up later in 2012!

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 will 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. Sue isn't carrying enough to make a summary worthwhile.

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 our entire route:
Martin and Poor Michael's planned TGO Challenge route - 2011

Day 1 - Friday 11 May
1 ARDRISHAIG (Grey Gull Inn)
3 Islandadd Bridge
5 Kilmartin
6 Beinn Bhan (Ma)
9 Ford

Plan
28 km
600 metres ascent
8.5 hours
(1 Marilyn)

Day 1 Map

Day 2 - Saturday 12 May
1 Ford
2 Church
3 By Loch Gainmheach
4 Carron
5 Turn for Beinn Ghlas
6 Beinn Ghlas (Ma)
7 Regain forest track
8 Auchindrain
12 Inverary

Plan
33 km
1000 metres ascent
11.0 hours
(1 Marilyn)

Day 2 Map

Day 3 - Sunday 13 May
1 Inverary
3 Leave main road
4 Elrigbeag
5 Turn to ascend Beinn Ghlas
6 Beinn Ghlas (Ma)
7 Creag an Fhithich (O)
8 Join track near Lochan Shira
9 Join track near Bealach nan Cabrach
10 Track junction by monument
12 Dalmally

Plan
29 km
1100 metres ascent
10.5 hours
(1 Marilyn)
(1 Other)

Day 3 Map

Day 4 - Monday 14 May
1 Dalmally
2 By Craig Lodge
4 Eas Urchaidh
5 Leave path to ascend Meall Tairbh
6 Meall Tairbh (G)
7 Ben Inverveigh (O)
8 Mam Carraigh
9 Bridge of Orchy

Plan
28 km
1100 metres ascent
10.0 hours
(1 Graham)
(1 Other)

Day 4 Map

Day 5 - Tuesday 15 May
1 Bridge of Orchy
3 Col at 743 metres
4 Beinn an Dothaidh (M)
5 Point 993 metres
6 Head of Coire Achaladair
7 Head of Gleann Cailliche
8 Tigh nam Bodach
10 Col at Gleann Meran
12 Forest edge near railway
13 Join forest road
14 Track junction
15 Ruin near Lochan Dubh Grundd nan Darachan
17 Meall Chomraidh (Ma)
18 Bridge of Gaur

Plan
34 km
1400 metres ascent
12.5 hours
(1 Munro)
(1 Marilyn)

Day 6 - Wednesday 16 May
1 Bridge of Gaur
3 A E Robertson's Church
4 Leave path to ascend Leagag
5 Leagag (Ma)
6 Path junction
7 Bridge over Dall Burn
8 Join track by Allt na Bogair
9 Minor road east of Carie
11 Kinloch Rannoch

Plan
25 km
700 metres ascent
8.5 hours
(1 Marilyn)

Day 6 Map

Day 7 - Thursday 17 May
1 Kinloch Rannoch
2 Track junction
4 Leave track at Blar na Feadaig Bothy
5 Schiehallion (M)
6 Tourist Car Park
7 Creag Kynachan (O)
8 Join B846 road
9 Road junction
10 Track junction
11 Track junction
12 Track junction
13 Loch Tummel

Plan
28 km
1350 metres ascent
11.0 hours
(1 Munro)
(1 Other)

Day 7 Map

Day 8 - Friday 18 May
1 Loch Tummel
2 By Loch Bhac
3 Struan
4 The Falls of Bruar
6 Fair Bhuidhe (O)
7 Blair Castle
8 Blair Atholl

Plan
20 km
600 metres ascent
7.0 hours
(1 Other)

Day 8 Map

Day 9 - Saturday 19 May
1/2 Blair Atholl
3 Gilberts Bridge
5 Bridge by Marble Lodge
6 Path junction by Forest Lodge
8 Falls of Tarf
9 Bynack Lodge
10 Geldie Burn
11 White Bridge
13/14 Linn of Dee
15 Mar Lodge

Plan
39 km
950 metres ascent
12.5 hours

Day 9 Map

Day 10 - Sunday 20 May
1 Mar Lodge
3 Carn Mor (O)
4 Carn na Drochaide (O)
6 Morrone (C)
7 Braemar

Plan
16 km
700 metres ascent
6.0 hours
(1 Corbett)
(2 Other)

Day 10 Map

Day 11 - Monday 21 May
1 Braemar
2 Creag Choinnich (O)
3 A93 road
4 Invercauld Bridge
5 Connachat Cottage
6 Invergelder
7 By Balmoral Castle
8 Easter Balmoral
9 Path junction
10 Creag nam Ban (O)
11 Littlemill
12 Path junction
13 Path junction
14 Ballater

Plan
30 km
750 metres ascent
10.0 hours
(2 Other)

Day 12 - Tuesday 22 May
1 Ballater
2 Craigendarroch (Ma)
3 Join cycle track to Dinnet
4/5/6 Church and monument
7 By Cambus o' May
8 Dinnet
9 Aboyne
10 Disused railway line
11 Road junction - Drumduan
12 Kincardine O'Neill
13 Potarch

Plan
35 km
550 metres ascent
10.0 hours
(1 Marilyn)

Day 12 Map

Day 13 - Wednesday 23 May
1 Potarch
2 Mountain Bike Trail junction
3 Track junction
4 Scolty (O)
5 Banchory
6 Milton
7 Drumoak

Plan
25 km
500 metres ascent
8.0 hours
(1 Other)

Day 13 Map

Day 14 - Thursday 24 May
1 Drumoak
2 Milton of Murtle
3 Duthie Park
4 Baron's Cairn (O)
5 Nigg Bay > finish at beach at NJ 965 046
Then return to Montrose via
5/6 St Fittick's Church
7 Aberdeen Station > train to Montrose

Plan
26 km
300 metres ascent
7.5 hours
(1 Other)

2012 Plan
Total Distance 396 km (248 miles)
Total Ascent 11600 metres
Time 133 hours including stops

2 Munros
1 Corbett
1 Graham
6 Marilyns not included above
10 'Other' hills

NB Timings are based on 4.0 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	2011 (M+Mike)	2010 (M solo)	2009 (S+M)	2008 (S+M)	2007 (M solo)
Total Distance in km (miles)	350 (219)	347 (217)	333 (208)	323 (202)	343 (214)
Ascent in metres	12,130	15,500	12,400	12,544	12,942
Hours taken including stops	115	136	118	112	113
Munros	5	2	13	16	2
Corbetts	3	16	1	3	8
Grahams	2	4	3	1	2
Marilyns not included above	3	1	0	0	1
Actual	2012 (Martin)	2012 (Sue)
Total Distance in km (miles)
Ascent in metres
Hours taken including stops
Munros
Corbetts
Grahams
Marilyns not included above

Kit
The overall weight of an absolute maximum of under 12kg (about 26lb) is rather less than on previous Challenges despite the inclusion of some luxury items. Sue will be carrying her waterproofs and some shortbread.

TGOC Kit List 2012

Item	Martin		Notes
		gms
Base
Rucksac	Lowe Alpine Nanon 50/60	1420
Rucksac liner	Exped 40 litre	115
Plastic bags/day sac	Various	150
Silk Liner	RAB - Silk	150
Waterproof top	Rab Super Dru	455
Waterproof trousers	RAB Bergen	330
Buff/neckerchief	TGO	35
Headband	Pink	20
Socks	Sealskinz	130
Trainers	Saucony Hattori	245
Socks for trainers	Liners	30
Briefs	Rohan X-stinctive	46
T-shirt	NF Long sleeved	155
Trousers	See below	0
Spare handkerchief	One	15
Bag for clothes	See above	0
Torch	Petzl Tikka Plus	82
Gloves	Thin Blue	25
Second gloves	Sealskinz	155
Flask	1 litre	530
Cutlery	Spoon	8
Swiss knife/can opener	Swiss Army	100
J-cloth, scourer, basic provisions	J cloth	9
Water bottle	Laken	167
Binoculars	Blackfoot	220
Spare batteries for torch and camera	Camera, phone, GPS	187	Cam x 2, phone x 1, Razor x 2AA, watch x 1
Tripod	Pacerpole	37
Maps and documents	Anquet	375
Mapcase	Ortlieb A4	57
Docs and wallet	HiGear	150
Notebook	Smiths	59
Toilet roll and matches		87
Spectacles	Incl case	72
Sunglasses	Julbo	60
Compass	Recta	50
GPS 1	Satmap10 + charger + case	353
GPS 2 - Garmin + charger	Forerunner 310XT	200
Whistle	On rucksack	0
First aid kit	Incl bag	366
Suntan cream and lipsalve	Sundry	74
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss	Included below
Shampoo, comb, nail clips etc	Complete wash kit	223
Razor	Philips HQ130	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	In toilet bag	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	50
Vaseline	In bag	0
Mobile Phone + case + charger		245
Boot cleaner		110
Spare laces	Scarpa	15
Trowel	Plastic, + handwash + bag	125
Sue's Maps	Paper - Anquet	100
Sue's clothes etc bag	Sundry items	2000
		9812

Consumables
Lunches	Max for 2 days	900
Water, say		1000
		1900

GRAND TOTAL	Maximum being carried	11712

Worn
Fleece smock	Rab TGO special (2009)	230
T-shirt	Rohan	100
Socks	X-socks	73
Briefs	Rohan X-stinctive	45
Shorts/trousers	Rohan Convertible + belt	380
Sunhat	Tilley	145
Handkerchief	One	20
Watch/clock	Suunto Altimax	55
Gaiters	OR Mens Crocodile	343
Boots	Hi-Tec Rainer	1630
Walking poles	Pacerpoles	688
Camera and case	Canon Powershot G12	514

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