The Great Outdoors Challenge
The TGO Challenge is an annual self-supported walk across the Highlands of Scotland, west coast to east coast. The Challenge was the original idea of Hamish Brown, the writer and mountaineer, and has taken place every May since 1980. Still known to many as the "Ultimate Challenge" after the original sponsor, Ultimate Equipment, it is now sponsored by TGO, the walkers' magazine in partnership with Rab, the outdoor clothing company and Himalayan Kingdoms who organise adventure holidays. More information can be found on the Challenge website.
Some challengers have published their diaries of the event on line - usually posting the address on one of the message boards. Trouble is, as time rolls on, these posts disappear, and most of the pre digital diaries and stories have never been shared beyond family and friends. This is a shame, as there are some great stories out there. So we are gathering a few here for the enjoyment (and entertainment) of fellow challengers, and to encourage those who may be thinking about taking up the Challenge.
| Click on any title |
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| Mike Knipe's 2008 Account |
| Jean Turner's 2007 Diary |
| Alan Sloman's 2005 Diary |
| Jean Turner's 2005 Diary |
| Mike Knipe's 2004 Account |
| Bob Cartwright's 2005 Diary (2.39mb pdf - broadband recommended) |
| Bob Cartwright's 2004 Diary (3.5mb pdf - broadband recommended) |
| Bob Cartwright's 2004 Diary (low res file for dial up users) |
| Marian Emsley's 1996 Account |
| Peter Goddard's 1995 Crossing |
| Geoff Reed's 1995 Crossing |
| A Sploshing Dutchman 1990 |
| Peter Goddard's 1989 Crossing |
| Derek Emsley's 1987 Crossing |
| Big John Hutchinson's 1986 Crossing |
| Peter Goddard's 1984 Crossing NEW!! |
| Derek Emsley's 1983 Crossing |
| Peter Goddard's 1983 Crossing |
If you are a challenger, and have an unpublished story - then contact us. Don't worry if it's not in electronic form - we can convert any typed manuscript and scan photos.
The next selection is all links to external websites that we think have outstanding Challenge stories - we hope you enjoy them as much as we did, and if you know of a site that we've missed, let us know.
Audiophiles will be pleased to know that, included the links below, there is a selection from the excellent (and growing!) series of Podcasts from Bob Cartwright. Do have a look around his shopping site Backpackinglight as well. Bob sells a wide range of lightweight kit, much of which you won't find in your local gear shop
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| Ali Ogden's 2008 TGO Challenge NEW!! |
| Martin & Sue Banfield's 2008 TGO Blog |
| Bob Cartwright's TGO Podcasts (coast to coast in sound) |
| Roger Boston's 2007, 2006 & 2005 accounts |
| Martin Banfield's 2007 TGO...and a lot more besides! |
| Andy Howell's 2007 diary |
| Ian Cotterill's Photo diaries |
| Theo Fokker's 2007 account Each page is an image, so click on it to enlarge to full screen |
| Shirley "Peewiglet" Worral's 2006 account |
| Shirley "Peewiglet" Worral's 2005 account |
| Ali Ashton's 2006 Challenge |
| Steve Smith's 2006 Challenge (ties in with Ali's!) |
| Caburn Chamberlain's 2005, 2006 & 2007 Powerpoint shows You'll surely need broadband for these - excellent pics though. |
| Steve Smith's 2007 Challenge |
| Steve Smith's 2005 Challenge |
| Steve Smith's 2004 Challenge |