I’ll be backpacking coast to coast throughout Scotland within the 2024 TGO Problem subsequent Could for the third time. The TGO Problem is an annual backpacking occasion began in 1980, the place 400 backpackers, mountaineering solo or in small groups, try and hike cross nation (roughly 200 miles) in 15 days. Scotland is without doubt one of the few locations the place you possibly can hike throughout a complete nation with out worrying about personal property boundaries as a result of there are entry legal guidelines allowing use with out prior permission, which makes an endeavor like this possible.
I accomplished my first Problem solo in 2010, mountaineering from Shiel Bridge to Montrose (see journey report), and my second in 2013 with my buddy Martin Rye (see journey report and video under) from Torridon to Montrose. This time I anticipate to hike solo once more, though you typically run into different “Challengers” alongside the way in which to spend a night with wild tenting within the hills or to stroll with for a day or two earlier than heading off by yourself route.
There’s nobody set route or path that everybody follows. As a substitute, you must map out a route of your personal design and submit it for approval forward of time. It’s reviewed by a handful of consultants who’re aware of the terrain to make sure that it’s protected and possible. A lot of the terrain that you might want to traverse is kind of mountainous and distant, and the route vetters as they’re known as, present very helpful recommendation about risks that could be encountered and alternate routes that can be utilized to keep away from them. These embrace washed-out bridges, rivers in flood, excessive wind, cliffs, and the same old hazards of mountaineering and backpacking throughout uncovered (only a few timber) and mountainous terrain.
The good thing about planning your personal route is that you may climb the mountains you wish to summit, go to the waterfalls you wish to see, meet up with mates at a selected date and lat/lon level for a wilderness wine and cheese occasion, or go to the cities the place you wish to have a zero-day. If you happen to like route planning throughout wilderness terrain, it’s additionally plenty of enjoyable to study concerning the nation and work out the place you wish to go. In actual fact, I anticipate to spend a lot of my free time this winter planning my route.
I final deliberate to hike the Problem in 2020 with my buddy Ken, however we’d needed to cancel as a result of COVID-19 epidemic. I acquired a deferred entry on account of that cancellation which is why I’m assured a spot in 2024. All different certified candidates should submit an software in a random draw which opens this Sunday (10/1/23). Whereas I hiked a huge part of the Cape Wrath Path in 2019 (and nonetheless plan to complete the previous few days), I questioned if I’d ever do any vital backpacking in Scotland ever once more. So after I acquired an invite to hitch the Problem and use my deferred placement yesterday, it was simple to resolve to go.
Evidently, I’m excited to be heading again to Scotland and stay up for assembly up with many aged mates within the hills or on the banquet on the finish of the 15-day Problem interval. That’s all the time a hell of a celebration!
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