The Outdoors Station

This is an interview with Alex Kashefi, who is about to attempt the very unique challenge of running from Lands End to John O’Groats during his summer break from teaching at secondary school. Alex is a biology teacher and although running the LEJOG isn’t new, doing it ‘barefoot’ is! Yes, 1206 miles without the use of shoes, support or protection, carrying his own equipment all the way and relying on the generosity of strangers and a budget of £10 a day to succeed. Do listen and take in the enormity of the task ahead. Please support him in some way if you can. Join him on route, share some food, some water or even offer him a bed. This is going to be a unique experience and everyone is waiting to see what his feet will look like when he reaches his goal.

I’m back in the Wild Camp saddle and this trip sees me at Lands End for something completely different to the wild weather of Scotland. This time I’m just taking a bivvy bag, a small rucksack and a handful of sandwiches. I was 8 the last time I visited the end of the UK and on this return visit I sadly see the rampant commercialism which has taken over what could have been a reflective beautiful place. However I share my journey with you and chat with a couple of Belgians who pitch in a very dangerous place, oblivious to the UK wild camp laws and their own situation. Enjoy!

This is the concluding part in the TGOC series for 2015. As we finally hit the East Coast and accept that it is all over, we manage to chat with several overseas Challengers about their thoughts and impressions of the largest backpacking event in the world. Greg Lindstrom from the States, Justin Lafrance from Canada, the oldest participants Lou and Phylis Laborwit also from the States and the youngest, Melvin Den Oss from the Netherlands. That’s it folks…… Until next time :)

And so the end of the road is near, as we pack up from the relative peace of Tarfside and head along an ambling route towards reality, first into the bustling little village of Edzel, before hitting the busy main road towards Northwater Bridge Campsite. The meandering path takes us all through a very gentle transition from wild lands to the edge of reality. Finally we make it to the Northwater Bridge Campsite and the jovial affair also includes birthday celebrations for Lindsay Pooler, complete with cake, cards and songs. This podcast includes reviews of some of my equipment used this year. Including the Vaude Power Lizard 2/3, the Gossamer Gear Robic Mariposa, Routebuddy Software, Invo8 Rocklite 295, Evernew Pan set, Montane Primino to name but a few.

We set off for our final climb of the crossing from Glen Tanner up Mt Keen. It was a fair day when we started with a cool breeze and odd bursts of sunshine. However as we arrived at the peak, a snow storm came in within minutes of us arriving, and hammered us with high winds which blew us off our feet and horizontal sleet with hail for 15 minutes. Then as quickly as it came, and as we tried to retreat, it blew past as we headed down to safety. Within 15 minutes we were once again standing in sunshine, with a light breeze and really rather pleasant walking as we headed down towards Tarfside. Pretty much summed up a typical Challenge Day on this crossing! At Tarfside I was lucky enough to chat with first timer Steve Chesterton from Kansas, his friend Block Andrews who was joining him for the last few days and Peter Stickler from Bristol, for their impression of this unique event. Andy however chose a different route via Foukside through to the Fetteresso Forest where he was overcome with a reflective mood as he accepted his trip was almost over.

Although the night had been gusty, it didn't trouble us and by the time we got up and got our kit together all the others who had camped close to the main house, had all gone. The only disturbance during the night was a little rodent visitor in Lee's Scarp. Who apparently was waiting for him in the entrance after he got out to water the roses and stare at the stars!
 The walking into Ballater took place in fine weather and we decided to take the slightly longer route before joining the road, as last time the shorter direct route to the small bridge had been a massive wet bog. The weather was perfect and the welcome at the Alexandra Hotel in Ballater as warm as ever. From what I hear Braemar was a ghost town by comparison. They couldn't do enough for us and managed to fit everyone in for refreshments, food and in Lee and Tony's case, accommodation. Which just goes to show that spending the afternoon sitting at the bar is never wasted :) The warm welcome extended to the campsite too. As the small children of the manager there, had made us all a free rock cake each when we arrived which was sweet. The campsite is now a community business and so all the profits go back into the community. The following day was an easy one, and we all started by visiting the main cafe in town for a slap up breakfast, bumping into the Norwegian challengers for a chat.
 However the weather looked to be turning from pleasant, to wet and damp later, so we plodded off up the road meeting a far too friendly Grouse along the way. Then we dropped down to Glen Tanner and that lovely wide open expanse of grass for the last remote camp of the trip. We arrived early afternoon and just got the tent up in time, as the rain came in and continued for 5 solid hours during which time we dozed and ate our way through our food rations.

Once again we celebrate our wedding anniversary on the TGOC in the most romantic of ways. On the trail leaving Aviemore and heading towards Bynack Stables. Call me an old romantic at heart but I just can’t help myself showing a girl a good time :) It was an easy day, the weather we fine, the company was good as we joined Lee and Tony out to Glenmore Lodge where we stopped at the cafe, before heading up to the stables via the blue lagoon, as it is called locally. In the morning the forecast warned of a high risk of localised storms and lightning on the tops so we were all keen to get across Bynack Moor as soon as we could, as it involved a walk across open land, which would be quite exposed if things turned nasty. Once we made it across and down to Faindoran Lodge for a break, we continued along the Glen Avon route alongside the river. The weather was mostly pleasant and the rivers crossing much easier than 2 years ago, when everything was in spate. After walking 28km we arrived at Corndavon lodge late afternoon and found about 10 other challengers had taken up residence in the gardens of the main house. We pitched by the ruin itself and enjoyed another windy night, but relatively pleasant all the same.

It was a very windy night, however the combination once again of fresh air, exercise and exhaustion left us having a fairly good nights sleep. Waking only once or twice when a large gust roared up the valley like a low flying jet. Robin Evans, like the many other Scarp tents users had a 'normal' night. The Scarp shelter is perfectly suited for remote wilderness camping in all weathers. Everyone who used one, and there were quite a few on the TGOC, were delighted with the performance and 'bomb proof' nature. 
Part of the day we were joined by Robin Evans as we crossed various snow fields, some of which invited temptation to stride across, until we saw a few collapsed snow bridges with deep streams underneath. We met Paul Phibben and Wayne Palmer later who were inspecting the basic and the very luxurious bothy shelters with interest and intent on staying. Rose and I continued for a few more K until we found a sweet little spot with the ideal level footprint for our tent. Day 7 started once again with promising weather and we enjoyed a terrific steady, easy going walk along side the river. Not too soggy underfoot, a cool breeze and generally blue skies. This allowed us a detour at the confluence with Allt Duine up the track to Geal Charn Beg and Mor. The track drops to the Burma Road at its crest and then it was a simple wander down into Aviemore, to book into the SYHA and to join Lee and Tony at the Cairngorm Hotel for yet more Guiness (one the TGOC 5-a-day food groups) and to listen to the fabulous local Celtic Rock band Tweed.

This is the day when the weather changed and we all decided to choose a shorter route which would allow us to dry out at the end of the day. Andy arrives at Kinlochleven and makes a short cut for the hotel for an extended stay as you'll hear. Rose, I, Lee and Tony walk away from the Great Glen Hostel in the same miserable weather along the old rail track to the Laggan swing bridge. Once there Tony informs us that there is the Thistle Cafe just up the road and we head there hoping they don't mind soggy walkers. We were greeted by a very generous host, who helped us dump our wet gear and had tea and toast on the table before we sat down! Wonderful lifting of spirits and the 4 huge Full Scottish Breakfasts did a lot to help too! After that we decided to take out foul weather route and head to St Augustus to dry out. At the start of Day 5 Rose and I head for Glen Buck. It was a long walk up to the reservoir and the weather was wet, cold and snowy in places as you can see. However once over the top and off the hard core track, the walk was the usual boggy, stoney variety as we headed down to Stonelarig. Although things had brightened up by then, there was a wind picking up and we joined Robin Evans up the gully to hunt for a suitable spot. Although it was good underfoot, the wind picked up to an estimated 50mph and I had to reinforce the end pole and put large stones on the pegs to give us confidence the tent wouldn't flap loose during the night. Sadly due to the weather we couldn't cook, so it was a joyous meal of cold pasty, biscuits and chocolate.

In this episode we cover Day 2 and 3. It was such a pleasure to continue our walk in fine weather, which helped soften the blow as the landscape started to get more boggy underfoot before finally camping near Tomdoun. Andy has similar enjoyment walking south before completing his day at the top of Glen Gour. However on Day 3 the weather changes for all of us and things return to normal, with Scotland unloading the bitter wind and rain at us once again. After such a fine start things slowly get worse as we have to climb a rusty deer fence, then cross open knee deep boggy land before thankfully dropping down to Laggan. Thankfully we arrive at the Great Glen Hostel wet, but in one piece to meet up with Lee and Tony and dry things out once again.