Sunset from camp at the end of Day 7 below Carn Gorm
If I had to choose a favourite part of this years TGO route I’d take liberties and say the whole of the middle four days. But ahead of those there was the matter of that appalling weather which had arrived on day 3. It was still there thrashing around my tent as I awoke on day 5 and showed no signs of blowing itself out yet. Continue reading
Looking West from the top of An Stac out towards Eigg and Rum
Less than 2 hours into the TGO Challenge I was sat catching my breath at the top of An Stac (814 m), gazing westwards over Loch Ailort towards the islands of Eigg and Rum rising from a perfectly blue sea. It was one of those views which makes you smile from within, a view you don’t want to turn your back on for fear it will fade from memory.
If there is a perfect start to a Coast to Coast backpack, this was a close as I’ve ever experienced. Thinking about it now I only wish I’d had more time just to sit awhile and take it in. But there were another 5 corbetts ahead of me on that first day, and so with reluctance I turned my attention east and started the steep descent ahead of the next. Continue reading
Meall Mor, on the ridge between Cona Glen and Glen Scaddle
After last years mammoth (lazy) write up which took a staggering 9 months to complete, I’m taking a different tack this year and writing a few themed posts rather than a blow by blow account of each day. This is mainly because this years TGO was very different to my first, a quite solitary affair, and so the walking itself was a very personal experience.
I’ll probably write a post on the route itself, another on how gear faired etc…but let’s start with some stats about the trek and some random factoids. Continue reading
After much deliberation here’s what I’m planning to take on the TGO Challenge this year.
Final base weight is 7.4 kg including all my shell gear, camera etc. I’m assuming worst case weight, so a sunny start from Lochailort wearing minimal gear. Everything else in or on the pack.
My route for this years TGO Challenge has been vetted and signed off. Here’s a run down of where I’m heading, some of the vetters comments and how it differs from last year’s trek. I’m starting from Lochailort and finishing at Dunnottar Castle this time. Continue reading
Not lost…..just checking….honest !
Entering for the TGO Challenge last year was, of course, meant to be a one off. If only life were so simple, the best laid plans of mice and men and all that.
So here at the start of 2015 I find myself reflecting briefly on last years crossing as I plan to do it all again in 2015. Continue reading
A rare moment of serious reflection for the Chuckle Brothers
The next couple of days would be a very sociable affair, walking with the Chuckle Brothers and the man who taught Bear Grylls everything he’s forgotten about wilderness navigation. It was also when a new piece of kit acquired me; A homing hat ! Continue reading
Route Day 4 : 24 km
Another night, another wet night to be precise. But today the sun would finally break through and with it came laughter, a wedding photo bomb and a decaying cuddly Bart Simpson. Continue reading
I can always rely on my wife to ask a question for which I don’t have a ready made sensible answer, even though I know that’s all she wants.
The first 4 days of my route.
Recently she’s been asking why I appear to be heading south for four days at the start of my TGO route when the east coast of Scotland lies…well, in the east ? Am I just being difficult as usual ?
So for the sake of completeness I’d probably better explain, but bear in mind that she didn’t buy this reason either. Especially as my pathetic attempt at an answer started with ‘Well it all started 30 years ago…’ Continue reading
