My digital copy of TGO arrived in my inbox yesterday, inside is the application form for next years Challenge. The TGO challenge is something that I have wanted to complete for years now. After a couple of years not making the draw for places I got a place on the 2001 challenge and excitedly prepared my route. Unfortunately this was the year of the foot and mouth outbreak and there was a danger of the challenge being cancelled. Luckily it was not, but due to restrictions on the west coast the challenge started in Aviemore. I completed the crossing to St Cyrus in eight days and got a good sample of this special event.
I was also successful in the draw for the 2003 challenge, but alas did not make it past day four. It all started well at Lochailort and I had a great wild wet day crossing to Oban bothy. The weather remained horrendous and I can remember the short distance over to Glen Pean bothy taking all day, most of this in sandals as there was water everywhere. I got further behind the following day and tried to make up for it on day four with a 19 mile push, which in bad weather broke me physically and psychologically – I went home the next day! My route was too testing and I did not meet many other challengers, hopefully this experience will help me with future planning.
So fingers crossed in 2010 it will be third time lucky for a full crossing. My Evanton to Ullapool backpack in April gave me a small taste of a walk across the Highlands and I can’t wait to get back up there.
Backpackingbongos 