A Spectator of the TGO Challenge 2012

Camping at the Shieling E of Loch Calavie on the 2009 TGO Challenge

This morning marked the start of this year's TGO Challenge, a two week coast to coast backpacking event across Scotland.  Having taken part three times myself, in 2008, 2009 and 2010, I can confirm that it is indeed excellent.  However, this year I shall be an envious spectator as Lynsey is taking part instead.

Lynsey has an interesting route planned from Lochailort on the west coast to Johnshaven on the east coast, and depending on phone signal she may do a spot of blogging on route.  You can see her route on this live map (or on the full size version); the pink line is her planned route, which should get overlaid with beacons from her actual route whenever she has phone signal (which may not be that often, so don't worry if there are long gaps between beacons!)

Just over a dozen other challengers are also making their progress available online via the SPoT and Social Hiking sites.  And of course some of them will be blogging too, which are likely to include Alan S and Martin B amongst others.

I wish everyone the best of luck on their crossings and hope that the weather is kind to you all!  I plan to be in the eastern highlands for the last week of the challenge to meet Lynsey in Braemar and Johnshaven, which I am of course looking forward too! :)