Preparing for the TGO Challenge
At long last I’ve managed to clear enough space to sit down and get some serious planning done for this year’s TGO Challenge.
I haven’t been on a Challenge since the very early ’80s and in all the years since I’ve managed to resist it. My wife’s taken part in two or three with her pals but I’ve always had this feeling that I’d rather wait a few years. I think now I’ve waited long enough and this year my wife Gina, brother in law Raymond Bainbridge and myself will set out from Inverie in Knoydart and head across country to St Cyrus.
The route sheet has been filled in and submitted, my old pal John Donohoe has vetted it, and in between the piss-taking comments he has actually offered some very constructive comment. There is no doubt that within the group of route vetters that the event uses there is a massive amount of local knowledge, a brilliant resource that really is a boon to Challengers, especially first timers and those from overseas.
Indeed, between you and I, I’ve taken another look at my original route and already I’ve noted several possible changes that I might just make. Part of this is due to the possible underfoot conditions we might come across.
On our original route we’ve planned a two-day traverse of the high Monadh Liath, a favourite area of mine but at the moment the whole area is heavily covered in snow, so much that I have grave doubts that it will be gone by May. Indeed, I suspect this might be the snowiest Challenge for a few years and if anyone is planning any high level sorties to the likes of the Cairngorm plateaux or even the Lairig Ghru then they might find it extensively snow covered. I don’t really like the idea of having to carry an ice axe and crampons with me all the way across Scotland so we might make some adjustments to the route if things still appear to be white.
Also giving my gear a good going over and I might take the chance to try some new gear. I already have a new Gregory Z55 pack which is a little on the heavy side at 1.90g but is a whacking 61 litres capacity. I’m just awaiting delivery of the new vaude Power Lizard, a new two-person tent that weighs an astonishingly lightweight 1kg! I’ve been told that in reality it’s more of a large single person tent than a two-person tent but Gina and I’ll have a look, try it out before the event and decide later whether to take it in preference to our usual backpacking tent, Hilleberg’s Nallo2.
I’ll probably stick with my MSR Windpro stove in preference to a super light meths stove as I find cooking for two much easier on a gas stove with a remote canister and Gina has already dehydrated all our meals. It’s great being married to someone as organised as her.
Still looking at the other gear I’ll use and I’ll let you know how that builds up. Meanwhile, we have a trip to Jordan to prepare for before the TGO Challenge. Seven days backpacking in the sun between the Dana Nature Reserve and Petra. I’ve been to Petra a couple of times, both times as visits added on to trips to the Wadi Rum, so this time I’m looking forward to having Petra as our final desination, entering the lost city by the back door through the mountains. A marvellous place and I’m looking forward to it.
But right now I need to opack the car, take the long drive south to Manchester, where I’m giving a talk to the Rucksack Club tonight. I’m looking forward to that too. Maybe see you there…