Thursday 19th March - 4th Training Walk

Distance covered approx 16 miles and 3000ft ascent

Thursday 19th - 1 mile - 470ft ascent

After taking delivery of my new Merrell Moab Mid boots, I headed off to the Scottish borders, joining up with a friend who used my 2007 TGO Challenge route last year (2008) for her crossing.

We drove to Tow Ford arriving 6.30pm, in order to follow the Roman Dere Street track for approx 1 mile to wild camp at NT 773127. With the last of the dayline faded away, the sky was clear and all the stars shone brightly. We had strong winds however for several hours which subsided and was replaced by a ground frost and mist. I got out of my 860g Laser Competition tent at 6am and a load of ice fell in. My sleeping bag a Mountain Equipment Dewline weighing approx 1 pound, was barely warm enough for the time of year, but worth it for it's weight.

Friday 20th - 10.7 miles - 1672 feet of ascent

by Friday the boots had loosened up and I felt I could have done with another pair of socks to avoid any movement or rubbing, but having been so tight the previous day I didn't bother to carry another pair.

Apparently there had been no rain in the Scottish borders for weeks and consequently the 1.75 litres of water I had started with on thursday was now down to less than a litre on the friday, with cooking etc. Friday involved continuing on Dere Street until we reached the Pennine Way and then headed north to 'The Street' near Mossy Law. The plan was to follow the Street to our planned Friday night camp spot at a ruin. However Friday was baking hot and whilst rationing myself from the remaining almost litre of water, I quickly became dehydrated and needed to find a source of water, my friend wanted to stick to the original route, but I felt my need justified a diversion at the start of the Street, as we had seen no sign of water up to that point. We diverted down to the Heather Hope Burn reservoir and camped a mile or so beyond next to a river.

Friday night was deathly cold, a clear night again but no wind. I did however get a better nights sleep.

Saturday 21st - 4.4 miles - 892ft ascent

Saturday was blazing hot again, but this time forarmed with plenty of water, we set off via Cape Hope burn to head back to Tow Ford, which on arriving a brew of tea and cooling our feet in the river was a refreshing end to my first backpack walk of the year.

15th March - 3rd Training Walk

3rd training walk today, 12 miles in 4 hours 30 min.

This week I have planned 3 x multi day training backpacking trips for March/April, at least 1 of which is to be with a fellow challenger, this will take me as close to the challenge as possible and hopefully improve my fitness on steeper and hilly terrain, whilst acting as a test for the remainder of the gear as the challenge draws closer.

I have ordered a new pair of lightweight boots, this time a pair of Merell Moab Mid's, which look to have good grips and hopefully will be an improvement over my existing Meindl pair which has a synthetic sole and is not designed for hillwalking.

8th March 2009 - 2nd Training Walk

2nd training walk today, approx 9 miles in 2 hours 15 min.

Biting cold wind but quite pleasant once out of the wind.

During this week, I have booked all my accommodation that I plan to book for the challenge. In contrast to the 2007 challenge, I will be walking and camping for the first 5 x days.

I am considering whether to replace my Meindl lightweight boots, only because people have indicated that they are only good for one long trip.

1st March 2009 - 1st Training walk in preparation for the 2009 Challenge

I went for my first training walk today, using the Hadrian's Wall path, covered just 4.5 miles in 1 hour 20 min, I'm happy with that for the first bit of exercise since Backpacking in Cairngorms last October.

My weight is approx 16 stone 11 pounds hopefully this will come down as training icreases leading up to the challenge in May.

Andy

Final 2007 Challenge Comments

Whilst it will have surprised a lot of people that I gave up the challenge, unfortunately the nature of the event is that multiple problems come at the worst time, especially when your tired. I wanted to complete the challenge no matter what, as my mum was dying of terminal cancer and I wanted her to see me complete the challenge before she died, but it was not to be.

Before the 2007 challenge I collected sponsorship to raise money for Cancer Research and thanks to everyone kind generosity I raised over 600 pounds for the charity.

I saw my mum on the 22nd May 2007 who was in the care of my sister who lives North of Aberdeen. This was the last time I saw my mum and she died on the 13th June 2007.

Day 10 - 20th May 2007

Foot swollen and throbbing. Also been using wet towels to stop the burning from the sunburn during the night. Decided with the steep ground ahead my foot is going to be too bad to continue.

Distance covered 120 miles and two thirds of the challenge. I am happy with what I have achieved.

Day 9 - Saturday 19th May 2007

Very hard day, foot very painful. The sunburn on the backs of my hands has now turned to blisters. Have tried walking with gloves on to shield my hands from the sun, but that only heats up the burn. Sun cream just seems to make them hurt more. Due to walking with the sticks now necessary due to my foot injury the backs of my hands are constantly in daylight. It is all becoming unbearable.

Crossed three rivers in spate, boots now soaking wet on the inside. Reached Mar lodge in a lot of pain but will sleep on it and review tomorrow.