TGO Challenge 2014 has started!

[photohiker]

9AM (officially) UK time (4.5hrs ago) the Challengers set off across Scotland.

They have 2 weeks to cross Scotland from west to east, a distance of around 320km. They are able to travel alone or in groups, and their route is of their own choosing. The only requirements are that their route is vetted by experienced walkers in the vetting team and that they regularly contact Challenge Control to advise that they are safe and on track. Challengers are free to walk the roads and stay in as many B&B's or Hotels as they can find, or stay well away from roads and camp the whole way across. Most spend at least a night or two in lodgings during their crossing and many camp every night they can.

This time of year, the weather can be either good or bad, and usually a mixture of both. On my two crossings I've had sleet and snow, hail, heavy rain and also enough sun that I have had to rummage in the pack for sunscreen.

There is a live map constantly updated from those challengers crossing with navigation gadgets: Unofficial TGO Challenge Map 2014

[wayno]

theres a blog here of Christy Rosander who is doing the TGO with her husband, she should update the blog at some stage with her trip report

http://gossamergear.com/wp/trail-ambass ... lenge-2014

http://ladyonarock.com/2014/05/08/getting-in-the-arena/

[north-north-west]

photohiker. did you not get in this year, or just not enter?

[photohiker]

Just didn't enter. It's an excellent walk and a lot of fun, but every year might take the shine off it for me. I have relatives over there so it's a double bonus catching up. This year, I have other plans.

I won't rule out doing the Challenge again, but I really like the western terrain of Scotland. I'm thinking I might do an equivalent trip up to the NW coast, something like the Cape Wrath Trail

[icefest]

Ohh, I really like the look of the Cape Wrath trail. It looks like a less remote tasmania without the bothersome scrub.

[north-north-west]

Ohh, I really like the look of the Cape Wrath trail. It looks like a less remote tasmania without the bothersome scrub.

Yes, it does look wonderful. Except all those huts, although I suppose one can always tent it.
200 miles, that's about 320km - a bit under half the length of the AAWT, not much more than the Larapinta -although of course much more climbing than on the latter. Maybe 15 days if you're lucky with the weather - means you could do it with just one food drop if you're organised. Neat.

[frank_in_oz]

theres a blog here of Christy Rosander who is doing the TGO with her husband, she should update the blog at some stage with her trip report

http://gossamergear.com/wp/trail-ambass ... lenge-2014

http://ladyonarock.com/2014/05/08/getting-in-the-arena/

Good stuff Wayno,
Have been following Christy for a while now. She gets up to some great adventures, thinks about stuff a bit and is involved in educating kids about getting on the track (or trail) Seems to be a really nice person.

[wayno]

update on the TGO

http://ladyonarock.com/2014/05/12/day-1 ... f-kintail/

http://ladyonarock.com/2014/05/12/day-2 ... the-glenn/

http://ladyonarock.com/2014/05/12/day-3-loch-ness/

[wayno]

I've posted this before but for those who didnt see it before, heres a video of the 2013 TGO. followed by a second video

[photohiker]

And it has just ended yesterday.

By the looks of the various reports so far, most had a relatively fine weather crossing, if anything slightly better than last year.