I’ll be backpacking coast to coast throughout Scotland within the 2024 TGO Challenge subsequent May for the third time. The TGO Challenge is an annual backpacking occasion began in 1980, the place 400 backpackers, mountaineering solo or in small groups, try and hike cross nation (roughly 200 miles) in 15 days. Scotland is without doubt one of the few locations the place you’ll be able to hike throughout a complete nation with out worrying about non-public property boundaries as a result of there are entry legal guidelines allowing use with out prior permission, which makes an enterprise like this possible.
I accomplished my first Challenge solo in 2010, mountaineering from Shiel Bridge to Montrose (see journey report), and my second in 2013 with my pal Martin Rye (see journey report and video under) from Torridon to Montrose. This time I count on to hike solo once more, though you usually run into different “Challengers” alongside the best way to spend a night with wild tenting within the hills or to stroll with for a day or two earlier than heading off by yourself route.
There’s nobody set route or path that everybody follows. Instead, you need to map out a route of your individual design and submit it for approval forward of time. It’s reviewed by a handful of consultants who’re aware of the terrain to make sure that it’s secure and possible. Much of the terrain that it is advisable traverse is sort of mountainous and distant, and the route vetters as they’re referred to as, present very helpful recommendation about risks which may be encountered and alternate routes that can be utilized to keep away from them. These embrace washed-out bridges, rivers in flood, excessive wind, cliffs, and the same old hazards of mountaineering and backpacking throughout uncovered (only a few timber) and mountainous terrain.
The good thing about planning your individual route is which you could climb the mountains you wish to summit, go to the waterfalls you wish to see, meet up with pals at a particular date and lat/lon level for a wilderness wine and cheese celebration, or go to the cities the place you wish to have a zero-day. If you want route planning throughout wilderness terrain, it’s additionally a number of enjoyable to study in regards to the nation and determine the place you wish to go. In truth, I count on to spend a lot of my free time this winter planning my route.
I final deliberate to hike the Challenge in 2020 with my pal Ken, however we’d needed to cancel as a result of COVID-19 epidemic. I obtained a deferred entry on account of that cancellation which is why I’m assured a spot in 2024. All different certified candidates should submit an software in a random draw which opens this Sunday (10/1/23). While I hiked a massive part of the Cape Wrath Trail in 2019 (and nonetheless plan to complete the previous few days), I puzzled if I’d ever do any important backpacking in Scotland ever once more. So once I obtained an invite to affix the Challenge and use my deferred placement yesterday, it was straightforward to resolve to go.
Needless to say, I’m excited to be heading again to Scotland and stay up for assembly up with many aged pals within the hills or on the banquet on the finish of the 15-day Challenge interval. That’s at all times a hell of a celebration!
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