Nichts neues im Westen (no news from the West)

I've send in my route 44 days ago and haven't received a vetter's comment yet. I've contacted the Dog at HQ in Settle by email after the advised 21 days of silence but he said to be patient.
Of course I'm willing to be patient but after checking my mailbox multiple times every day for weeks on end I'm turning into a mental patient myself.
The only therapy I'm doing is to research anything there is to find about my route on the web.
I'm using Geograph and Google to find pictures and tripaccounts. Isn't that taking away the adventure once you're there, I here you say ? Perhaps, but it's also fun to do the research beforehand. And believe me if I say circumstances will be different in real life. People don't tend to make pictures in really bad weather and in zero visibility it's good to now a bit about the terrain that lays in front of you.
Pictures say a thousand words but taken from a different angle a seemingly steep ascent or grade I scramble can turn out to be an easy stroll  into the sky. And vice versa of course.
I also found a warning about midges near Lochan Coire an Lochain (Chno Dearg), better make camp on the ridge if there's no wind. I hate the little monsters but they like me very much.

I've booked a bed at the Mallaig Backpackers and Glen Nevis Youth Hostel but haven't received a reaction from the Dalwhinnie Bunkhouse so far. Traintickets Montrose-Mallaig, Mallaig ferry and leaving the car at the Montrose campsite (if possible) still have to be arranged.
And receiving the devastating comments from my vetter of course.

Winter has arrived.

Yesterday and the day before saw the very first snowfall this season. Only ten days ago the last leaves were blown from the trees. Yesterday the ground was still sodden from previous rainfall but today molten snow was frozen solid on firm surfaces making walking difficult from time to time.



 

The temperatures are around zero and a little rise is expected for the next days, followed by a colder period. I was cosy in my Paramo Alta jacket and the dogs, Atilla and Djengis, enjoyed the snow also. 

 

Part two of the treefelling that started the previous winterperiod has restarted a few weeks ago and some of my best friends have been chopped down. Beautifull Douglas Fir with 4ft wide trunks.
I don't like it.

TGO Challenge 2013 : my route

For my first Challenge, in 2007, I had planned a high level route with lots of Munros. On day 1 I took an almost leathal fall while approaching The Saddle and ended up with a total of just 2 Munros, all bagged on day 1.

 

For 2013 I've again planned a high level route containing 45 Munros this time. Don't say it, I know I'm mad.  I'm aware of all difficulties that one can encounter during the Challenge : injurie, bad weather (like in 2011 and 2012), snow covering the summits, even meeting old (and new) Challenge friends can change ones plans.

Not to mention the vetter's comments ! I'm sure there'll be plenty of that.

 

"Rising the 45"

 

            

Day 1 : Inverie to River Carnach (camp)

Day 2 : River Carnach to Lochan Dubh-Glen Pean (camp)

Day 3 : Lochan Dubh to Glen Suileag (camp)

Day 4 : Glen Suileag to Glen Nevis (Youth Hostel)

 

Day 5 Glen Nevis - Mamores - near Sgurr Eilde Mor (camp)

Day 6 : near S.E.M. to near Chno Dearg (camp)

Day 7 : near Chno Dearg to near Coire Pitridh (camp)

Day 8 : near Coire Piridh to Dalwhinnie (bunkhouse)

 

Day 9 : Dalwhinnie to near Beinn Bhreac (camp)

Day 10 : near Beinn Bhreac to Loch nan Eun (camp)

Day 11 : Loch nan Eun to near Tolmount (camp) 

 

Day 12 : Tolmount - Lochnagar - Glen Mark (camp)

Day 13 : Glen Mark to Glen Esk (camp)

Day 14 : Glen Esk to St.Cyrus (campsite) 

 

Are you still there ? Did someone faint ? No worries, mate ! The weather will be superb so I won't be needing all those Foul Weather Alternatives I made in advance.

I'll have one spare day that I'll probably need. Not for resting but for being behind schedule so I've booked my Challenge dinner for the friday. I'll will try to finish on Thursday though.

I'll be the bearded, fit looking, tanned guy at the bar. 

TGO Challenge 2013 : before you know it...

This week I received good news from the honourable Mr.Manning from Settle. I was lucky in the draw for the TGO Challenge crossing of Scotland in May 2013. I also got permission from SWHTBO, she's lovely.
Yesterday I submitted my route : "Rising the 45", starting in Mallaig and finishing in St.Cyrus.

Today I started my Challenge training. Apart from Chris Highcock's 'Hillfit' and the indoor hometrainer I've got to get the legs used to walking distances again and the back to carrying heavy rucksacks.
With the dogs I covered 12,5km today in just over 2 hours with a staggering 25m of ascent. Yep, it's hilly over here.

I'll keep you informed about my progress and the vetter's comments on my route.

Gooilust - some more pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warmest 22nd ever recorded

Today was the warmest 22nd of October ever recorded in The Netherlands. With a staggering 22 degr.C. it was one of the warmest places in Europe today. T-shirts all day.

However, it will all change in 5 days time when the max temperature will be 8 C..

I'm afraid the colours of autumn will leave us soon. 

The Gooilust estate - beeches.

TGO Challenge 2007 day 11 Clova - Tarfside

Another episode of my TGO Challenge crossing of Scotland from westcoast to eastcoast in 2007.
Like the previous episodes it's a video from the Anquet 3D flythrough.

 

Just one and a half day to go now.

 

Received an email from Fotopic, the previous host of my pictures, that they're not back in business but it's possible to download the pictures I've uploaded in the past. I'll just do that.