At some point, early on my first TGO Challenge, I had slightly disorientating encounter. If you are preparing for your first Challenge this is an experience you will almost certainly to sharing shortly.

I was approached by a man — obviously a hiker — of a certain age. He was dressed in “full Paramo” and carrying a rucksack that was almost bigger than my house. He was waving a waterproof folder in his hand and brandishing a pen. He greeted me”

“wasyurnumba?”

“Pardon?

“wasyurnumba?”

“Sorry, what did you want?”

“WASYURNUMBA?”

It then suddenly dawned on me. He was asking for my number. Computing all of this quickly I realised he meant my TGO Number. This is the number that you are allocated when you get a place, and the number you use when phoning in to Challenge Control. I duly gave him my number. He appeared appreciative and hunted in the folder.

He brandished a copy of the the TGO Participant list, searched down the columns, made a tick and then gave me a big smile. Andy Howell. Birmingham he grinned.

I’d been spotted. Of course, there are ‘spotters’ everywhere and I suppose one of the problems with the Challenge is that there are few opportunities for train spotting, although I’m sure the high level route through Corrour Station is a popular route ‘spot’.

By now you will beginning to realise that there is — how can we say diplomatically — a certain eccentricity about your fellow Challengers. A few weeks studying of the Challenge Notice Board will now doubt have left you feeling a little intimidated. So, take this as a warning and be prepared!

Nothing can quite prepare you for that first encounter with Challenge kind.

Most likely you will meet them at Glasgow Queen Street. (You may also meet them at Inverness Bus Station but their numbers will be suitably diluted).

The foyer of Glasgow Queen Street will be heaving with walkers. Ruscksacks will take over every conceivable bit of public space. Ordinary commuters will be looking stunned and shocked. The Challengers will be dancing around and shouting for joy as they meet long lost friends. It is an odd thing this. They will appear to have known each other for years, and many of them will have — even though they only meet once a year.

It is difficult to know what advice to give you about etiquette on this occasion, other than possibly make sure you don’t get crushed in the rush for the train. I suppose you could always put on a smile and just ask individuals for their number. But that might be a tad extreme.

But it gets worse. Once you get on the train.

The train North from Glasgow is a little train which splits so that half of it goes on the line to Mallaig and half to Oban. By the time the train pulls out spirits are really high and the adrenalin is really pumping. People can’t sit in their seats for longer than a minute or two. Conversations are going on all over the place. Enquiries are made about fellow Challengers and you’ll no doubt recognise one or two names in the middle of all this.

You could just join in with the mayhem, though admittedly this is hard (and not for the faint hearted). It might be easy to just sit their, enjoy the stunning scenery and go with the flow. It is a little easier to start getting to know people at the start location as they are generally in smaller groups and have begun to calm down a bit.

From then on it is all plain sailing. You only have to worry about little things, like falling into a bog or slipping off the side of a mountain.

But – during the first few days — why not play a ‘spotting game’ yourself? Here’s a short introductory guide.

The Trim Beard

This Challenger is pretty ubiquitous and a very social beast and you’ll encounter him by the time you get to Braemar if not before. His beard will be immaculate and his clothing garb neatly chosen; he will hardly look as if he will has been trudging through bog for a week. His name will be Sloman. Basically, this is a harmless creature but you should take some extra care when near a hostelry.

Spot value = 5 points.

 

The Northern Trim Beard

Sometimes confused with the standard Trim Beard. The Northern version has a more local accent and often wears specs. He too is an exceptionally social animal and is often to be seen dispensing pastural care. Responds well to the call of “Morning Vicar”. This is the Rev. David Alban.

Spot Value = 5 points.

 

The  JJ

A very unassuming character and another very sociable beast.  The JJ was the first Challenger that I met. There’s nothing really to fear here but just beware that he is likely to burst into song or poetry at any time – and he will insist that you join in. Goes by the name of John.

Spot Value = 5 points.

 

The Cashmere Sweater

This is a walker who always wears a stylish, light blue, cashmere sweater. The sweater is easily identified by discreetly placed ventilation holes. This Challenger can be difficult to understand and confusing if encountered more than once, as it adopts multiple personalities. Sometimes known as Humphrey. You may not meet Humphrey, but you will hear a lot about him. This could be a very valuable spot as he is currently well down the standby list. We may not see him, but somehow I think we might.

Spot Value (could be difficult) = 20 points.

 

Lilo Lil

This one is very difficult on account of it’s ability to completely change appearance every year or so. You will probably recognise him when he identifies himself as ‘Lilo’. Yes, do ask why he is called that !!!

Spot Value = 15 points

 

The  Pidgeon

Best spotted during the morning. My last ‘spot’ was on the road to Braemar. The Pidgeon was walking in crocs and appeared to be pregnant. Closer inspection showed that his waterproof was stuffed full of cans of some kind of strong brew. One other clue to this being the Pidgeon will be the bottle of single malt sitting in his pack pocket. If encountered in the morning the Pidgeon will have you crying with laughter.

Spot Value = 5 points. 5 bonus points are available if you can ascertain his previous occupation in life.

 

The Cartwright

This beast is even smarter than the trim beard. His hiking gear is effectively colour co-ordinated. There is no danger in the Cartwright but you may find yourself being forced to sit through endless gear demonstrations if you linger too long. His rucksack is like a tardis. The Cartwight might be a very good spot this year as he didn’t enter. But there is some talk about him appearing in a van somewhere en route.

Spot Value = 30 points

 

The L & T Combination

This is, in fact, two spots. This is Lee and Tony although increasingly they seem to be morphing into one personality. You can spot them during the evening — there will be two light grey American Tents. You can spot them in hostelries on account of them only drinking black beer with a frothy top.

Spot Value = 5 points

 

The M & G Combination

Very different to the above combination on account of one being of the female species. However, the female is easily to spot as she will be brandishing graphs and charts and spreadsheet print outs to all who make the mistake of feigning interest. M is a calm and laid back Challenger who will cause no problems. G is a little OCD in behaviour terms, but nevertheless reasonably sociable.

Spot Value = 5 points

 

The Egg

Another member of the female species. The Egg sounds a bit posher than many of us. But don’t let that put you off as she is great value for money. The Egg has lived a life of amazing and daring adventures. This accounts for the split spot value.

Spot Value = 5 points

Plus 2 bonus points for every adventure story you can coax out of her.

 

Little Sam

I know this is Dicken’s anniversary, but this is nothing to do with that. Sam can easily be recognised by some key characteristics. Can down amazing amounts of alcohol during the evening but will be up and out before anyone else next morning. Walks long and hard. Not quite as common a sight on the Challenge these days but sure to be around this year. Might be having a crisis if the Hungry Highlander in Braemar has not re-opened.

Spot Value = 10 points.

 

The Liddle (no not the Supermarket)

A Challenger of the female variety. Might confuse you as she seems to live en route — you might think she has taken a wrong turn somewhere and not stopped walking. But fun and good company.

Spot Value = 5 points

 

The Lawman

An interesting spot this as the lawman has probably the most weird route. It seems to involve taking a sleeper to London and then returning the next night. Surely, the sending of a food parcel would have been an easier re-supply tactic?

Spot Value = 5 points

 

…. and finally

 

The rare CT

This is a very challenging spot. Nothing to be frightened of in terms of behaviour but incredibly difficult to spot on account of taking routes that are high, wide and lonely. Can go on about different types of stoves for a long time. Very knowledgeable on water proofs. A spot at the Challenge Dinner does not count.

Spot Value = 20 points.

 

 

That should do you. Let me know if you need more Challengers to put on your spot card. I may not have upset enough yet !!!

If you are ‘experiences’ feel free to share your favourite spots!

I’m pleased to see that a number of first time Challengers are planing to take full advantage of wild camping as they cross from coast to coast. When you are caught up in the whirlwind of route planning and equipment buying it’s easy to forget the simple things that make a trip bearable — little treats!

Those of us who are used to wild camping find it easy to wax lyrical about the wonder of the experience. Imagine. You make camp towards the end of the afternoon. The sun is beginning to soften and drop down towards the horizon, but the air is still warm and pleasant. You find a lovely spot next to, say, the Findhorn River. The light ripples on the water. The heathery hills above are dappled in soft light. Birds sing. Deer gracefully make their way across the skyline. You pitch your tent and then rest your weary feet, dangling them in the cool water as you sit on a soft and grassy bank ….

Or. The tent is up in a flash as all hell breaks loose around you. You struggle, inside the vestibule, to light a stove to get a hot drink on to combat the freezing cold. Rain lashes down on the flysheet. Gale force winds batter the tent poles. You struggle around like a poor demented soul, getting out of those wet clothes and finding something that is still warm and hopefully not too smelly.

Both of these alternatives are possible. But some times — like last year – the first seems like pure fantasy.

At times like this luxury is key. So don’t skimp. Here are some ideas.

That Old Termperance Magic …

For some a nip of the hard stuff before bed is just the ticket. Now, I have partaken in this pastime of course. The only decent night on last year’s crossing was spent with the Cartwrights and Humphrey Weightman deep in the Fetteresso Forest. There was sun. We stopped early. And we lazed in our tents not being able to believe the warmth. And later Bob came around and freely distributed his single malt.

But generally I don’t do alcohol while walking. But that old Quaker alternative has real merit here.

Firstly, Drinking Chocolate. Nectar. I’ve only recently gone on to this but I can tell you that at the end of a hard day’s walk it beats tea or coffee hands down.

There lots of expensive chocolate products now available in little tubes. But for a real treat go and buy a jar of luxurious, Fair Trade type stuff. I decant this into small freezer bags and place it in my food drop parcels. That way I can keep going through the whole trip and even have it as a hot drink in the middle of the day if it is really miserable.

A bar of chocolate at the end of the day is bliss. I know there’s a place for all of this healthy stuff but a bar and Fruit and Nut as you prepare to doze has no competition.

Breakfast Blues

Most of us make use of that magical stuff porridge, a super food that slowly discharges into the system. It is the stuff that armies and Challengers march out. But after a week of porridge you may be feeling, well, a little fed-up.

I always pre mix my porridge with dried milk. That makes it a bit better, but after a few days I hate that as well.

The trick is to ‘pimp up your porridge’.

Dried fruit works well. I dehydrate fruit before hand and always add a handful to the white stuff. You can, of course, buy the stuff as well. But after a week you might want to forget health and go for struct comfort.

Jam is what we are talking about. Decant some into one of those useless little plastic bottles you can get in all walking shops. Or, if in a B & B nick some of those catering packs. Or if you see blister packs locally buy a few and sling them in your food drop.

Sweetness. Not to be under-estimated.

A Real Breakfast

There will no doubt be times when you can take advantage of one of these. Go for it. The Old Bakery in Braemar is especially welcome, indeed the thought of a late breakfast here can keep you going for three or four days.

Most CHallengers heading for Braemar will have stopped near the Linn of Dee or Derry Lodge the night before. AN early start will see you at the Old Bakery quite early on. It will be a sign of your new fitness that this short hop actually measures out at about 12 miles!

Oh, the pleasure of those sausages, black pudding and even — the old haggis!

 

You will have your own luxury fettishes. Don’t ignore them. Plan to spoil yourself. If the weather is anything like last year they will provide you with the highlight of the day, day after day.

What are your favourite trail treats?

It’s been a real pleasure talking to some of those who are planning their first TGO Challenge. I’m looking forward to meeting some new — and nice — people as I walk across the country this May.

There are some genius features to the Challenge which keep the event fresh. The first is the policy of ensuring that about 100 or so new applicants find places which, as my mate Humphrey always says, keeps it very fresh. And the other thing I appreciate is the range of walking skill and experience that is represented. It would be a far lesser event if every entrant was a hard core, wild camping, bog loving, munro bagger. The event is a Challenge because it is a personal challenger and — for each of us — the nature of the Challenge is different.

By now most first timers will be getting past the worst of the preparation, namely the picking or routes. Once the route is more or less settled you can move on to more exciting things, like thinking about gear …

But one thing that should be high on everyone’s tick list is the need to get a good night sleep, particularly when wild camping.

For many of us wild camping provides many of the highlights of the Challenge. When I look back to my first crossing I realised I’d no done enough and I always advise first timers to con side their routes with a view to wild camping. For some new entrant wild camping will still be a relatively new thing; sleep is important.

For a number of years I happily used an egg shell mat from Gossamer Gear. I found this reasonably comfortable and warm enough even in cold weather. My mat was pretty indestructible and cheap. I was slightly bemused when people started buying the new generation of lightweight inflatable mats such as the Neoair. Were they all confirmed softies?

Then, a few years ago, I found myself walking across Scotland in severe back pain. At Braemar I rushed into Braemar mountain sports and bought myself a Themorest Neoair in the hope this would allow me to get some sleep. The Neoair was expensive, costing me around £90. For an air bed !!!

The Neoair didn’t sort out my back but it did present me with all kinds of other benefits, and continues to do so.

It is mainly the case that you can always find a decent wild camping spot on the Challenge. But that ground that looks flat and inviting can be horribly uneven and full of bumps and divots. With my old mats I had to develop the technique of sleeping ‘with; the lie of the land. The great thing about the Neoair — and its equivalents — is that is is thick enough to even out even the worst of nobly terrain. I was both surprised and delighted. For a long time I’d used lightweight mats such as those from backpackinglight.com in the US (and old style Thermorests) and they were fine. But they were nowhere near as effective as the Neoair.

A bad night’s sleep on a multi day trek really takes its toll. Walking when you are tired and sleep deprived is not really that pleasant. But try walking for a whole day when you’ve had two or three bad nights!

So, if you’re relatively new to wild camping take your sleeping mat seriously. This may be one area where you are happy to splash out some cash. Non walkers will be bemused. The day I bought my Neoair I accidentally left it on the bar of the Hungry Highlander chip shop. When I realised and returned the staff were laughing their heads off. They were looking at the price tag. You mast have a very bad back one of them said. Yep!

But there’s more to a good night’s sleep than the thickness of your mat.

Don’t be tempted to walk for too long. We all have our different speeds and we are happy walking different length days. You will soon get a feel for when you want to stop and if you are new to this game then a rehearsal weekend pre May is a good idea.

When you start getting to the end go the afternoon — and you see a great camp spot — go for it! While there are always camp sites up above they may not be that nice and it might just take you on for too long.

Set out to enjoy the camping for its own sake. Stop early enough to be relaxed about making camp, cooking your food and so on. Arriving late and knackered often means that you can’t relax and unwind. And remember, it never really gets dark!

If you’re having a bad day then take a break. You can always make up the ground the next day, and you’ll feel better for a good night’s rest.

And finally, make sure that you can combat cold at night. Lying in a sleeping bag that’s not warm enough, when you’re tired after a long day’s walk, can be pretty uncomfortable and an invitation for nasty things like cramp. The temperature can drop dramatically in the Highlands during the night. This doesn’t mean that you have to take very heavy sleeping bags but it does mean you should be ready to sleep in your clothes if need be. And always make sure you have a dry pair of warm, wool, socks. Weary a fleece or woollen hat during cold nights also makes a big difference.

Comfort — and those little comforts — are important during multi day treks. A bag of chocolate at night can raise the spirits, especially if you are not carrying spirits themselves! If the weather is bad then a stop and a warm drink can make a big difference. And a warm, good, night’s sleep is one real luxury that you should aspire to.

A comfortable night’s sleep is something that even the most hardened, lightweight, trekkers aspire to. I was talking to Colin Ibbotson after he returned from the Colorado Trail last year. We fell to talking about gear and I asked about mats. Colin got so fed up sleeping on hard floors that he got fed up with it and bought himself a Neoair!

So, think seriously about sleeping when you pick your kits and when you plan for routes. In these hills, especially when the weather is bad, you can find yourself ‘running on empty’ surprisingly quickly. Most likely you won’t be endangering yourself but you’ll just have a miserable time. And remember, when you are walking the Challenge …

… You are on your holidays!

 

I’ve had a fair few email chats (and phone chats) with folks preparing for their first TGO Challenge. As I did, they are all struggling with start points. I found this one of the worst things to settle one. Once you have made a decision other things tend to fall in place.

If you are in this position I would just offer one piece of advice. Chose a route that gets you off tarmac and into hills quickly. And then don’t rush through the North West too quickly as, in many ways, it will be the highlight of your trip.

The best starts that I have had are those where you stroll down a path turn a corner and suddenly find yourself in a wild landscape with no roads or settlements to spoil the view. Of my starts so far Strathcarron and Dornie stand out for those very reasons. I should also include Mallaig as once you are off the boat you will soon b in open country, that is if you can avoid the draw of the pub!

If the route you’re looking at has a long piece of tarmac at the start go and look somewhere else. Leave the tarmac for Challenge number 10!

Finally, don’t do what I did on my first Challenge and speed through the North West at a ridiculous pace. Firstly, you don’t meet anyone. And secondly, you could well find yourself walking along roads and stuff in the middle section with scarcely any memory of the dramatic North West!

Oh, and the links to my TGO journals are now in proper working order. Thanks to those of you who have pointed this out.

One of the nice things about this time of the year is to speak to some of those who have been successful in being accepted to the TGO Challenge for the first time. Each Challenge features a healthy number of first timers a feature which — as Humphrey Weightman so often points out — ensures that there is a real freshness about the event each year.

I can still remember — very vividly — the trepidation with which I approached the planning of my first walk across Scotland; as a result I’m always happy to not only share ideas through email, but to chat to people on the phone. This year I’ve already had the pleasure of talking to a handful of really nice people who I hope to be meeting somewhere along the trail.

Unsurprisingly, a feature of this year’s conversation has been the need to keep the cost down! I must admit to approaching this year’s crossing with a more frugal attitude than usual. so, just a few thoughts that might help anyone else tackle the event on a budget.

 

Camp Each Night

It is nice to spend some time in the B&Bs and independent hotels, not least because their quality is so high. But the Challenge is made for wild camping and, in my experience, the more nights spent out in the open the better. When I’m tackling the event on my own, as I will be next year, I shall spend every night in my tent.  To many nights under a roof seems to spoil the event somehow.

When you are not wild camping the Campsites should provide you with all of the luxury you may need. Most of the win campsites on the route are superb, featuring great shower facilities, laundry rooms and owners and staff who are happy to let you charge up your phone and will happily allow you to send a food parcel to them. Sending a food parcel to a campsite is a sensible move and even better than sending one to a B&B — with a campsite you are not bond to appear on a set evening.

I always ring the sites in advance, especially if I am sending a for parcel to them, but few of them require to book in advance. Even the very busy ones like Braemar will always find a little space for you to pitch.

Maximising time spent camping might give you a little flexibility. I would prefer to spend the night prior to to the start of the event in a small hotel of B&B; I always like that little bit of luxury before setting off. At the end of the event you’ll find the Montrose Campsite veer comfortable and convivial; again, you’ll be able to use the laundry room to get that grubby kit clean. Many of us love the shower block here, not least because of the classic hits local radio station, which always seems welcome after a stroll through the hills!

The campsites at Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, Cannich, Braemar, Ballater, Glentruim (Laggan-Netwonmore), Coylumbridge, Glenmore, North Water Bridge are all recommended.

 

Think Carefully About Food

Take your food preparation seriously. Dehydrating your own food (if you can) is cheaper the  buying the premium, commercial, products. Check for things like chip shops on route — they are great quality and often no more expensive than buying dehydrated food!

Some walkers minimise their use of hot food choosing to buy fresh bread, cheese and so on along the way. A few decent rolls and a packet of cheese will offer you more benefit than any number of power bars and will be a lot cheaper! Always keep a lot of porridge in your food drops — even thought you will hate the stuff at the end. Lidl sells a German Porridge which is flavoured with maple syrup or honey which is surprisingly more attractive than the normal stuff.

Lightweight hiker Colin Ibbotson never drinks warm drinks when he is trekking and this cuts down not only on the stuff he takes with him but also on the amount of fuel that he uses. I do like a warm drink and tend to carry both coffee and drinking chocolate with me. You can buy drinking chocolate in expensive little one-shot packages but simply decanting some in a plastic bag is probably better.

There will be times when you want to have a decent meal, especially breakfast when you get the chance! Being frugal for the rest of the time will make this an even better experience.

Many challengers find themselves in Bramear for a couple of days. The Old Bakery offers greta food deals for Challengers and, otherwise, there is no better meal available that that from the Hungry highlander chip shop!

Drinking in pubs is the biggest hazard in Braemar, but you’ll use have to work out your own strategy for dealing with that. Keeping Alan Sloman at a fair distance usually works for me!

It is not obligatory to carry a couple of bottles of good red or single malts in your pack

 

Travelling to Scotland

Plan your train route carefully. If you need to travel overnight you might consider booking a reclining seat on the sleeper rather than a birth. Travelling overnight also means that for many who live in the North the coach services become a real option. For those further South cut price airlines may offer a far cheaper alternative to the train.

 

Let me know if you have any other tips for a cost conscious Challenge!

I seem to have made it through the mysterious TGO Challenge draw again. No doubt there will be lots of people rushing home to catch the post so I’ll be careful — I don’t want to chop the excitement. (But for those with an insatiable curiosity you can find it on the TGO website — not the TGO Challenge website).

Many of the usual suspects seem to be on the list as usual, so the hostelries of Scotland will not be suffering any more than usual in May. Sadly, one or two of my best companions are not there as yet — no doubt they will be studying the standby list carefully.

I guess everyone does the same thing; rush down the list and to see who will be walking with them. I — of course — like to walk with any Challenger (except on those days when I am a miserable bastard and don’t want to walk with anyone). But I’m particularly looking forward to catching up again with Rob Hausam (USA), David Lintern (distinguished first timer), Rob Slade (fellow Duomid person), Shap (who this year doesn’t have to make any coffins) and Sue Banfield (who’s had back problems) and Steve and Graham (how come I didn’t catch you two last year?). And as ever, the Rev Albon will be providing spiritual support.

There are some noticeable omissions here. You know who you are! I shall miss you all, if you’re not on standby!

For those of you about to bury yourself in maps and computerised routes, my route this year looks like the following — just so you can avoid me if you want!

I shall be starting at Torridon and making my way through to Struy before tackling the Eskdale Triangle and moving on to Drum and the ferry over the Loch. Then it will be over the heather to Kincraig I think, the forest to Glenmore, some messing about on Ben Avon before dropping down to Ballater, taking the route Humphrey and I wanted to take last year to Feughside, the Fetteresso to somewhere near Stonehaven.

No Braemar for me this year (but then I have said that before and somehow found myself there).

And finally a message for Sloman. If you’re going to give everyone big snogs this year — get rid of that damn beard!

 

On one level, the more TGO Challenges that you walk the easier it is to plan a new one. But in other ways it gets more difficult. The problem is not where you want to go but the boring bits that you want to avoid. I’m struggling wit this at the moment in an attempt to construct a route for 2012.

I start with some core principles.

First off, lime Colin Ibbotson, I want to leave the southern routes until a time when I am old and past it — mind you that’s approaching rapidly! This might be a little unfair on the more southerly routes but this, at least, rules some out.

Secondly, I’d rather walk somewhere that I haven’t been before, but that gets more difficult.

The pinch points in the middle mean there are only so many ways across the Great Glen. And then there’s the danger of road walking in the middle bit. I’d rather avoid tarmac if I can.

A few weeks ago, for example, I thought I would start at Lochaillort. I’ve not been in this territory before but I know that I’m going to end up in some piece that I have been. There is a danger of ending up in Fort Augustus and going near the dreaded Corriarick Pass — I’m never going over that again. It would be nice to amble over to Glen Markie instead, but since the new reservoir has been constructed this seems to involve a lot of tarmac (unless you know otherwise).

I toyed with going back to Mallaig, as this is a great start and I could take a variation on previous routes walked. I thought about simply repeating last year’s route as it was so horrible. But what if it is that horrible again?

My latest wheeze is to go back to Torridon. I’ve started there before and the weather was dreadful. But then I was up there in early August this year and loved the hill. I quite fancy climbing some of them again. I want to avoid Cannich — where the pub is still holding my Velez trousers hostage — and maybe try Struy. I can construct what looks like a fine couple of day’s walk from Pollan Buidhe to Struy, either going high or staying lower.

Then it would be up and across Eskdale Moor before dropping down to Drumadrochit and the ferry. Then I discover the obvious route onto Eskdale has been blocked some pesky landowners. There are other ways around including the one taken by Mick and Gayle last year, a route with the attraction of no less than three deer fences. I almost went this way a few years ago and Colin Ibbotson did. Colin has confirmed where there is a nice spot to camp.

Eskdale is known by some as the triangle, people who go in never come out. But I think this is one of Sloman’s tall stories. Mind you, it is true that there is not much on the map. But wait, the new version of Routebudy casts light on all of this.

Routebuddy has a near feature where you can click from a map view to a high-res satellite image with your location brilliantly preserved. From Loch Bruichrean the satellite photos clearly show a load of tracks that are not on the maps. Mick and Gayle discovered these this year but were suspicious of where they would end — sensible to be cautious. But I can see from Routebudy that they simply end up in the same place as the one track that is marked on the map. Jeremy Borrows asks “why do you ant to go up there? It’s lonely”. Exactly. But, looking a these tracks, I might not be as lonely as I would have been.

From Drum its over the Ness and into the magical Monaliadth. I avoided it last year but think I need to return before the wind turbines are built. I don’t really mind which way I go here. But it must be time to avoid Aviemore. Maybe I shall drip down to Kincraig but there sees to be nothing here at all — unless you know better of course.

Kincraig offers a day of ambling through the lovely forest. I could end at Glenmore campsite rather than Coylumbridge. Glenmore has a great cafe and a chance for an early morning commune with the read squirrels. From here I could go up Bynack More and stay high for a while. But I’ve been up here before — careful I might sound like a bagger. A stroll around Ben Avon to the north has its attractions. I would avoid Braemar this year and look at a rest day in Ballater. Then again I think the walk was better last year for no rest day. Maybe a short day on Avon itself might be a good diversion water permitting. I am not one for sitting on a trip point, eating my sarnies, only to stare out at think, impenetrable, mist!

From Ballater things are easier. There is the high route that Humph and I were planning last year and which we had to abort. Mind you. What happens if the weather is as bad again? DO I really want to risk Aboyne again?

The Fettereso is now a must, Humph having introduced me to its subtle pleasures.

But those boring bits! What to do?

Maybe I’ll adopt the Phil and Lou tack. I’ll put in a route but then just walk East everyday. You still get to the coast in the end!

Well, it’s here at long, last!

Everything should be working although the CSS code probably need tweaking here and there (which I will do over the next few days).

I hope you enjoy reading this more than I did walking it!

TGO Challenge 2011: Acharacle to Stonehaven