TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 15

A look back at day fifteen of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. The final day, a gentle amble into Montrose and the East Coast. Job done! Roll on the next one, whenever that may be. 15 km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 14

A look back at day fourteen of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. Penultimate day, and after Tarfside it's mainly about getting the job done. Today was mostly road walking to North Water Bridge with some milestone spotting to add some interest. 27 km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 13

A look back at day thirteen of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. Having stopped short the previous day we had a short stroll to Tarfside. 17 km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 12

A look back at day twelve of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. After a sleepless night in the Forest of Doom, we decided to take things easy by splitting the next section into two and having a lazy afternoon beside the Waters of Lee. 13 km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 11

A look back at day eleven of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. Leaving Braemar wasn't easy, especially with inclement weather on the way. We struggled to find somewhere to camp and ended up in wet woodland we dubbed "The Forest of Doom". 25 km in total

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 10

A look back at day ten of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. A gentle 23km tramp from Glen Dee to a shower and a pint in Braemar. 23km in total. 

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 9

A look back at day nine of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. Finally the rain had arrived as we left Aviemore to tackle the high pass of Lairig Ghru to Glen Dee. 25km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 8

A look back at day eight of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. A short day in cooler conditions, walking the Burma Road to Aviemore. As we approached we got a view of the Flying Scotsman departing. 15km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 7

A look back at day seven of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. The good weather continued as we made our way through the Monadhliath Mountains to camp at The Red Bothy. 25km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 6

A look back at day six of my first TGO Challenge in 2019 and my favourite section of the whole walk. Another scorcher as we made our way from Stonelairg Wind Farm up Glen Markie in the magnificent Monadhliath Mountains. 19km in total.

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website

TGO Challenge 2019 - Day 5

A look back at day five of my first TGO Challenge in 2019. A baking hot day and a 22 km climb up into the Glendoe Forest, the Stonelairg Wind Farm and the start of the Monadhliath Mountains. 

For those not in the know; "The Great Outdoors Challenge is a unique and very special Scottish institution and in 2019 we celebrated the 40th Challenge. Since 1980 thousands of people have taken up the opportunity to backpack from Scotland’s west coast to the east as part of this annual event – each of them following their own carefully crafted route. Many of those Challengers come back time and time again, drawn by the potential for both wilderness and camaraderie". Taken from the TGO Challenge Website