TGO Challenge 2010 - Day 1: Inverie to Barrisdale

Starting from Inverie meant that I had a much more leisurely first morning than in previous years as the boat doesn't leave Mallaig until 10:15.  The boat was full of challengers and their backpacks, together with various assorted items for the villagers in Inverie because the boat is the mail boat. I popped into the Old Forge for a quick drink with the majority of the other challengers.

I left Inverie on my own at midday and headed north to Gleann na Guiserein. Everyone else was heading for Barrisdale or Sourlies.  The cloud started to lift above the summits as I started to climb Ladhar Bheinn. Unfortuantly by the time I got to the summit it was in the cloud again. Nevertheless, on the way up I got excellent views over the neighbouring hills and over to Skye & Eigg.

The SE ridge of Ladhar Bheinn turned out to be quite rocky, with several scrambly down-climbs, which therefore took a while to descend. After ascending over another peak, I dropped down to Mam Barrisdale where the plan was to camp for the night. However it was quite windy so I instead chose to descend to Barrisdale to camp.  I arrived at Barrisdale around 8 ish and found several other challengers also camped there, including Dennis, Lou & Phyllis and Jeff & Joke.

Position: llz=57.07934,-5.51320

TGO Challenge 2010 - Day 1 Plan

Distance: 13.5km, Ascent: 1290m

See route in new window with live progress
(Backup link without live progress)
The plan for my first day is to take the morning ferry from Mallaig across to Inverie and then head up Ladhar Bheinn, before dropping down to camp at Mam Barrisdale.

TGO Challenge 2010 - Day 0

Lynsey dropped me off at Stockport station at 7am for my 10.5 hour journey to Mallaig. I met the first challengers when I changed trains at Carlisle.

The gathering at Glasgow Queen St was impressive, having managed to miss out on this the last 2 years. The journey to Mallaig was excellent with good views and company.  Fish & chips for dinner followed by a couple of pints of Red Cuillin in the West Highland Hotel.

Position: llz=57.00537,-5.82998

Live mapping for my TGO Challenge progress

I leave home tomorrow to take the train up to Mallaig for the TGO Challenge.  I will be updating my blog, with photos and comments, hopefully daily (but it depends on phone signal).  I will also be using the ViewRanger software on my mobile phone to provide updates on my position.  This blog should automatically display a map with my planned route on every morning, together with a link that will open an OS map in a new window that should display my recent positions together with my planned route.  Thank you to Jim for kindly hosting my files and also thanks to those who had made some helpful postings on the OS OpenSpace forum.

Here is an example from my walk in the Lake District last weekend:

See route in new window with live progress
(Backup link without live progress)

Striding Edge & St Sunday Crag

It was howling a gale, but sunny, when I parked in Patterdale, so I was somewhat apprehensive about what the wind would be like up high.

As soon as I started walking up Grizedale the wind died down and it stayed calm as I climbed up Birkhouse Moor. There were excellent views over Ullswater from the top of Birkhouse Moor and Striding Edge beckonned me onwards.

It was a bit blustery along Striding Edge, but not enough to cause me a problem whilst walking along the crest. The summit of Helvellyn was surprisingly busy for a Friday, and unlike the majority of my visits I actually had a view today!

I continued over the summits Nethermost Pike and Dolywaggon Pike before dropping down to Grizedale Tarn. It clouded over as I headed up St Sunday Crag and then descended back down to Patterdale.

Position: llz=54.53501,-2.93487

Pennine Way: Day 16 - Auchope Hut to Kirk Yetholm

Distance: 11km; Ascent: 250m; Solo

See route in new window

I woke to wind howling around the hut and was glad that I decided not to camp last night!  After a leisurely breakfast in the hut (well I wouldn't want to arrive at the pub before they start serving lunch!) I set off just after 9. It was a gloriously sunny morning, but the bitter cold wind meant I had to wear my waterproofs to keep warm.

Summit of The Schil

After visiting The Schil, I opted for the low level option owing to the bitter wind and got into Kirk Yetholm just after 12. I was very pleased to discover that the Border Hotel is the Edinburgh & SE Scotland CAMRA pub of the year 2009 & 2010!

The end of the Pennine Way!

I decided to celebrate my completion of the Pennine Way with a couple of pints of Houston Texas, which despite it's name is actually a Scottish ale, together with shoulder of lamb followed by apple crumble :)  It was strange to be finishing the Pennine Way without Lynsey, given that we started it together 2 years ago, but I'll be on my way home to see her shortly.

Pennine Way: Day 15 - Byrness to Auchope Hut

Distance: 32km; Ascent: 1210m; Solo

See route in new window

Another long day today, but most of it was dry, which was a big improvement on yesterday!  After yesterday's long day, I had a bit of a lie in today and once again only started walking at 9:30. It was a bit of a pull up through the forests to the ridge, but once there the views made it worthwhile:)  The Cheviot looked a long long way away!

It was a pleasant walk to Chew Green, the site of a Roman camp, although there were just sheep there today! The border ridge seemed to go on forever, with every fence corner seeming very much like the last!  The wind picked up as I neared Windy Gyle, from where the path was slabbed almost all the way to The Cheviot, which made for hard going on the feet!

Finally I reached Auchope Cairn and began the descent down to the refuge hut, which I arrived at at 7:15. After a trip to the Henhole to have a bit of an explore and to get some water, I returned to the hut to have a welcome cup of tea whilst I watched the sunset :)

Auchope Hut