Hiking and Backpacking in Scotland: What to Expect and Skills Needed

BackpackingBackpackingCoast-to-CoastCoast-to-CoastAcross ScotlandAcross Scotland

Philip WernerPhilip Werner

[email protected]@sectionhiker.com

Biographical InfoBiographical Info

4 Season AMC Hiking/Backpacking 4 Season AMC Hiking/Backpacking Leader with the Boston ChapterLeader with the Boston Chapter

Author and Editor of the Author and Editor of the SectionHiker.com Hiking Web SiteSectionHiker.com Hiking Web Site

Backpacked across Scotland Twice Backpacked across Scotland Twice – 2010 (180 miles)2010 (180 miles)– 2013 (220 miles)2013 (220 miles)

AgendaAgenda

Backpacking in ScotlandBackpacking in Scotland Recommended SkillsRecommended Skills TGO ChallengeTGO Challenge

ScotlandScotland

Mountain Maritime ClimateMountain Maritime Climate

Peakbaggers’ HeavenPeakbaggers’ Heaven

Northwest HighlandsNorthwest Highlands

Mondaliath MountainsMondaliath Mountains

CairngormsCairngorms

High MoorlandHigh Moorland

Very Wet and MuddyVery Wet and Muddy

No Tree CoverNo Tree Cover

Landscape Features Dictate Landscape Features Dictate Routes – Mountain PassesRoutes – Mountain Passes

Loch Ness (Great Glen)Loch Ness (Great Glen)

Rivers and BridgesRivers and Bridges

Land Ownership in Scotland: Land Ownership in Scotland: Estates: Estates:

50% of the Land in Scotland is owned by 579 People in the form ofEstates.

• Forestry• Deer and Pheasant Hunting

Electric FencesElectric Fences

Timber HarvestingTimber Harvesting

Rights of Way LawsRights of Way Laws

BothiesBothies

Inside a BothieInside a Bothie

PathsPaths

Tracks (Land Rover Roads)Tracks (Land Rover Roads)

Historic RoadsHistoric Roads

Resupply – Few Small TownsResupply – Few Small Towns

Resupply – Very RuralResupply – Very Rural

Remote w/ Few RoadsRemote w/ Few Roads

Backpacking SkillsBackpacking Skills

UK Route Planning – Mapping ToolsUK Route Planning – Mapping Tools

C:\Users\Gerhard\Pictures\Picasa\Exports\2013-05-29 TGO Challenge and The Lakes

C:\Users\Gerhard\Pictures\Picasa\Exports\2013-05-29 TGO Challenge and The Lakes

Navigation in the UKNavigation in the UK

OS Grid Reference is 2 Grid Letters, 3 Numbers (easting), 3 Numbers (northing)Peebles is at NT252402

25.2 kilometers east 40.2 kilometers north

Each Blue Square on Paper Map is 1 KM Square

Learn Some GaelicLearn Some Gaelic

Local KnowledgeLocal Knowledge

Ruins vs Towns (look alike on maps)Ruins vs Towns (look alike on maps) Washed Out BridgesWashed Out Bridges Snow ConditionsSnow Conditions New Land Rover TracksNew Land Rover Tracks Stalking (Hunting) Season DatesStalking (Hunting) Season Dates Post Office HoursPost Office Hours Store HoursStore Hours Bothy LocationsBothy Locations Weather Conditions in High PassesWeather Conditions in High Passes Weather ForecastWeather Forecast

Cross Country NavigationCross Country Navigation

Staying FoundStaying Found

The Ubiquitous Map CaseThe Ubiquitous Map Case

Campsite SelectionCampsite Selection(Wind and Flash Flood)(Wind and Flash Flood)

Cooking Inside a ShelterCooking Inside a Shelter

Damp ManagementDamp Management

Stream CrossingStream Crossing

LayeringLayering

Foot CareFoot Care

Walking Across a Peat BogWalking Across a Peat Bog

Wet PeatWet Peat

Drier PeatDrier Peat

The TGO ChallengeThe TGO ChallengeOverviewOverview

The TGO ChallengeThe TGO Challenge

About the TGO ChallengeAbout the TGO Challenge

Coast-to-Coast HikeCoast-to-Coast Hike– Started in 1980Started in 1980– 300 participants a year300 participants a year– Non-competitiveNon-competitive– 15 days maximum15 days maximum– Design your own routeDesign your own route– Solo or in a groupSolo or in a group– Foot travel onlyFoot travel only– Camp or B&BCamp or B&B

Scotland – 2010 RouteScotland – 2010 Route

Scotland - 2013 RouteScotland - 2013 Route

Wine and Cheese PartiesWine and Cheese Parties

Braemar BashBraemar Bash

Challenger CamaraderieChallenger Camaraderie

Tuck Inn, EdzellTuck Inn, Edzell

BanquetBanquet

Repeat OffendersRepeat Offenders

Courtesy Alan Sloman

Getting into the ChallengeGetting into the Challenge

Scottish hill walking experience Scottish hill walking experience required, but can be waivedrequired, but can be waived

An Tealloch, West Highlands Eildon Hills, Scottish Borders

Challenge TimelineChallenge Timeline

October 15 - Applications DueOctober 15 - Applications Due December 1 – Hiker SelectionDecember 1 – Hiker Selection February 28 – Route Plans DueFebruary 28 – Route Plans Due March 30 – Vetter Comments March 30 – Vetter Comments May 13-14 – Start Point Sign-outsMay 13-14 – Start Point Sign-outs

– 3 check-ins with Challenge Control3 check-ins with Challenge Control May 26 & 27– Sign Out in MontroseMay 26 & 27– Sign Out in Montrose

– Banquet at Park HotelBanquet at Park Hotel

There is no “trail”There is no “trail”

Guidelines for First Time Guidelines for First Time ChallengersChallengers

Take a Low Level RouteTake a Low Level Route Follow River ValleysFollow River Valleys Verify all BridgesVerify all Bridges Use Hill TracksUse Hill Tracks Avoid High Mountain PassesAvoid High Mountain Passes Make sure Towns on Maps Have Make sure Towns on Maps Have

Shops or InhabitantsShops or Inhabitants

Challenge Route PlanChallenge Route Plan

Vetter Response, with route amendments and suggestions

Gear ChoicesGear Choices Shoes – Trail Runners – Dry QuicklyShoes – Trail Runners – Dry Quickly Shelter – Pyramid Tarp- Wind ResistanceShelter – Pyramid Tarp- Wind Resistance Sleeping Bag – Down 20 DegreeSleeping Bag – Down 20 Degree Backpack - LightweightBackpack - Lightweight Chlorine Dioxide – Water TreatmentChlorine Dioxide – Water Treatment 1 Qt Plastic Bottle – Hydration1 Qt Plastic Bottle – Hydration Navigation – Compass and ViewRanger AndroidNavigation – Compass and ViewRanger Android Tracking/Emergency– SPOT II GPS MessengerTracking/Emergency– SPOT II GPS Messenger Stove - CanisterStove - Canister

Tips for YanksTips for Yanks

Go light but be comfortableGo light but be comfortable Bring a 100 weight fleece sweaterBring a 100 weight fleece sweater Be a compass expert, reallyBe a compass expert, really Wear Insect Shield clothing (Lyme)Wear Insect Shield clothing (Lyme) Use a shelter with a bathtub floorUse a shelter with a bathtub floor Avoid road walkingAvoid road walking Map distance are metric but road Map distance are metric but road

signs are in milessigns are in miles

Montrose – Journey’s EndMontrose – Journey’s End

Questions