Update #1

After having had several successful crossings (Mandy - 3, JM - 2), we wanted to share the TGOC experience with the boys.  With university nearing its end for Ben and Ty, we knew we had limited opportunities left.  As life does, things have changed without warning and for TGOC 2024 it looks like it will only be Ben, Sam, and myself.

For Ben, this will be his third backpacking trip back to Scotland, as he and I completed the Scottish National Trail in two stints - SNT 2015, SNT 2019.  For anybody interested in learning about the SNT please check out this series of YouTube videos from one of our favourite hiking celebrities, Head For The Hills Scotland.  Even if you aren't really interested in the trail these videos are highly entertaining and insightful.  We have spent many hours watching them over the years.  Ben and I really wish we could have met Head For The Hills Scotland, but unfortunately he passed away after a battle with cancer shortly before he planned to finish the last few stages of the SNT in 2019. 😢  We will be sure to raise a toast to him along the route this year during our pre-bed mochaccino - LOVELY!!! (watch the videos for this reference 🤣)

As for Sam, I am very excited for him.  He has followed along, reading the blogs and listening to all of the stories of our Scottish adventures over the years.  He has started to create a number of his own adventures in the Canadian Rockies (see here), and I am more than sure that Ben and I will be holding him back more than having to urge him on!!

Mandy and Ty will be sorely missed this time 💖, however we will still do our best to have a great experience, and make some great memories.

Route:

Mandy and the boys might make fun of me, but I usually have a couple of route ideas on the go, and this year was no exception.  Mandy and I started from Torridon in 2022 - the northern-most departure location, and one of the most rugged.  Having enjoyed that so much, and being the bit of an introvert that I am, I wanted to start from another lightly used start point this year.  One of the routes I had been thinking about started from Morar, considered to be one of the toughest start points on the Challenge.  After hours considering trails/tracks/roads, checking mapping websites and hiking blogs, working and re-working options, we came up with a potential route.  Some of the highlights included in this year's route:

• Loch Morar and the Sgurr na h-Aide ridge
• Glen Finnan Viaduct (from the Harry Potter movies)
• Seeing and walking around Ben Nevis (tallest mountain in the UK)
• The bridge at Corrour Station (from a famous scene in the movie Trainspotting)
• Camping near Falls of Tarff, and walking up Glen Tilt again (Glen Tilt was a favourite section of mine and Ben's SNT 2019 trip, and Mandy on her TGOC 2019 trip)
• Climbing Lochnagar for the first time, a TGO challenge staple
• Experiencing Tarfside for the first time, another TGOC favourite
• Finishing on the beach at St. Cyrus (Mandy and I finished here on TGOC 2022 and it is a beautiful spot to end)

After discussing with Ben and Sam, and only a few days before the deadline, we submitted our proposed route for vetting.  Colin was our vetter this year and he provided some very thoughtful and helpful suggestions, as well as gave us some positive feedback on the adventure we were in store for based on our route selection.  I quickly resubmitted our route sheets with the requested modifications and we are now ready to go! (kind of.... 😉)

TGOC 2024 - Approved Route

Final planned route statistics:

• Total distance: 323 km (~23 km/day)
• Total ascent: 8,110 m (~579 m/day)
• Longest day: 30.3 km, 1,346 m ascent (Braemar to Shielen of Mark)
• 14 days: 8 wild camps, 3 campgrounds, 1 hostel, 1 hotel

Training Plans:

As with previous trips, I have had aspirations of getting a number of longer hikes in before leaving.  This is usually a bit of a challenge, as the weeks leading up to the trip are right in the middle of the shoulder season where we live.  Snow, glare ice, mud, and slush are the norm on the trails, and it makes it tricky to get out to the places where we could get some good walks in.  Despite that, I have gotten a few shorter hikes in (10-12 km) and one 16-km trek with ~ 800m of elevation.  With three weeks to go, and with the boys coming home soon I am still hopeful we can get a few more longish hikes in with some heavier weight on our backs so that we aren't completely shocked when we get over there.  If I am being honest, I am not concerned for the boys, just about this old man with a decaying body. 🤣

Prairie Mountain Solo - Classic "Spring" Weather

East Sooke, Vancouver Island Coastal Hike (Sam and JM)

White Buddah Summit

Footwear:

Sam - Altra Lone Peak 5 Hike GTX

Ben - Hoka Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX

JM - Hoka Speedgoat 5 Mid GTX

Sam - Ben - JM

I had great luck in 2022 with my Hoka boots.  I have been using them since that trip so thought it was the right time to get a new pair.  I've had the new pair on for a few hikes now, as well as a couple of treadmill sessions - so far so good!🤞  After discussing with Sam and Amanda, Ben has decided to go with the same.  He's done some long walks and runs with them in Vancouver and also so far so good!  Sam did his research while working at MEC, and has decided on a trail shoe.  He also has done a few walks with them and sounds quite happy so far.

Gear Plans:

Aside from the standard gear:

Poles - Yes, for all three of us

Gaitors (good for warmth, and effective anti-tick barrier) - Undecided

Tents - One 2-man, one 1-man

Stove - One

Rain Gear - Waterproof trousers instead of waterproof kilts (SNT 2019)

Laminated Maps (norm for us) - Printed and ready to go

Garmin InReach in case of emergency - Probably

Katadyn Befree Water Filters - One each, plus a Nalgene 1-Litre bottle

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter - Just Fill And Drink!!