Rob's first TGO Challenge crossing in 2017

With an early start and some sun, I set off with Elton and Marcus towards Tarfside. This was only about 5k distance and involved walking over the Hill of Rowan and seeing the tall monument. Monument on the Hill of Rowan St. Drostans, at Tarfside When we finally reached the refuge, we were greeted by very friendly TGO volunteers and were sat down for a bacon roll, cake, fruit and tea - nice! There was also a shower available, so I took the opportunity before heading back to the hills. Elton and Marcus decided to stay there for the day, like many others would (although I hear they ran out of booze at the pub), but I wanted to press-on to Charr, so that I would have an extra day in hand and make the Thursday evening meal (as recommended by Bernie and others). View from the top of Wester Cairn From there, I headed northeast up Wester Cairn and Mount Battock to reach a trig point and some nice views. On the Wester Cairn there were quite a few hares about, although I wasn...

Following the original plan, I headed up Glen Dye to Glen Dye Lodge. On the way, I had the opportunity to watch some live sheep dog action (actually three dogs working in two independent groups). Unusual hilltop near Glendye Lodge My route went along a minor road and then onto some tracks and paths to a supposed footbridge over to Heatheryhaugh. This is actually something that the TGO challenger guidance said was missing but I guess I should read more closely next time. I also passed a couple, John and Sue, who told me about the lack of a bridge. I decided to see for myself to try to avoid a two mile detour but what I found was a cage on a steel wire that had a broken winch mechanism. Not much of a river crossing I looked around for places to ford but it all seemed a bit dangerous. I continued so far south up the side of the river, that I actually ended up going all the way to the Bridge of Dye, about one mile up. There was a wild deer on one section, apparently in quite a ...

I noted an number of the others were finishing at Dunnotar Castle. That seemed a nice thing to do but I couldn't face the extra two miles or so, after tiring out my legs the previous day. It was a pleasant enough walk beside the river to get out to the Mergie Stables, at the edge of Feteresso. A few fine-looking horses were there and a troupe of small dogs were making a lot of noise as I walked past. Walk along the river from Stonehouse in Feteresso Forest Horses near Mergie stables It was a fairly easy but a bit boring road walk for 3-4 miles from there to town. The sun was not welcome at this point and there was no shelter on the exposed roads. I passed a few runners and cyclists but no other challengers. Recalling the mention of a tea shop in the Kirktown of Feteresso (possibly Ali Ogden said something about it when we were at Gelder Shiel), I decided to investigate. There was quite a lot of housing development going on when I got there. After noticing that the K...

Pack Hyperlite Windrider 4400 backpack. Pack liner (for base of pack, which isn't entirely waterproof). Navigation Silva compass.  10 laminated A4 OS map printouts of my route at 1:50k scale. On a given day, one or two cards were attached by a piece of string around my neck. 1:25k maps downloaded into OSMaps app on GPS smartphone. Electronics Smart Phone, Phone charger plug. Zendure A2 USB power bank + various cables. Suunto Ambit 2R running GPS watch. Kindle Paperwhite. Tent/Sleeping Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 tent with fast fly (all but inner tent carried on outside of pack) Thermarest Z-Shield (on outside of pack) Thermarest Pro-Lite 3 Short Vango Viper 750 down sleeping bag Inflatable pillow Clothes 3x baselayer (including 2 white long-sleeve UV compression to protect against sun) 3x technical shorts 1x swimming shorts 1x Mounian Equipment soft shell trousers 2x Bridgedale Merino socks 1x Bridgedale running socks Scarpa Terra leather hiking boots...