Scotland

Planters at the Columba House Hotel in Kinguissie, Scotland (Meindl Boots) Taking a Zero When I was planning my original Challenge route, I built in an rest day into my schedule, called a zero day here in the states. My plan was …

The TGO Challenge: More than a Hike Hiking across Scotland in the 2010 TGO Challenge this year was a great adventure and one of those life-list hikes that I’ve always dreamed of taking. But while the scenery is breathtaking, there is a …

Just a quick note to let you know that I successfully finished my 180+ mile TGO Challenge hike across Scotland this morning on the east coast in Montrose. This was a fantastic experience and I am eager to return and do it …

With just 4 weeks to go, I've been very busy this weekend pulling all of my gear and resupply packages together for a 2 week unsupported hike across Scotland in the 2010 TGO Challenge. That includes finalizing my gear list, which I've …

    Someone once told me that backpacking trips start well before you start hiking. Isn’t that the truth? Just planning and preparing for a 1 or 2 night weekend trip takes me at least a week of mornings and evenings, before …

Everyone who participates in the TGO Challenge has to submit a route plan that describes the path that they will use to cross from the west coast of Scotland to the east in enough detail that it can be reviewed by Challenge …

I've now spent the good part of a month on detailed planning of my 2010 Challenge Route, and I've made some fairly major changes since I posted it last on January 7. I've added a nearly full rest day in Kingussie and …

The last two days of my TGO Challenge walk appear pretty straightforward. I follow the River Esk to Edzell and from there begin to follow smaller roads to Brechin and Montrose and the eastern shore of Scotland where my hike ends. Technically, …

Days 10-11: Braemar to Tarfside The next few days will put my navigation skills to the test. I'll be passing over very wild, open country to get to Lochnagar, a cluster of magnificent Munros, south of the Royal Balmoral Castle and Estate. …

Days 8 & 9: TGO Challenge Route Plan (2010) If the weather is good, Days 8 and 9 will be an incredibly scenic walk. My path on these days runs along Glen Feshie on the southwestern boundary of the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains …

Days 5-7: TGO Challenge Route Plan 2010 During the first 4 days of my route plan, I kept my daily mileage low to acclimate to the local environment and build in a hedge against bad weather which is common in Western Scotland. …

    Days 3 & 4: TGO Challenge Route Plan (2010) On days 3 and 4 of my hike, I’m going to be walking cross-country to Fort Augustus which is located at the southern end of Loch Ness. I’ll spend the night …

  Day 2 : TGO Challenge Route Plan (2010) After breaking camp somewhere between Alltbeithe Youth Hostel and Carnach Mor, I continue along the northern side of River Affric passing Allt Coire Ghaidheil (NH108208) and several ruins on the other side of …

  Introduction As I’ve mentioned before, the TGO Challenge is a 14 day coast-to-cost walk across Scotland running from May 14th – May 29th, 2010. I’ve been accepted into this year’s event from a field of international applicants. I’m in the final …