I am from the US and this is my first crossing and my first time out of the US. I have been looking at possible routes recommended for 1st timers starting at Shiel Bridge. What mapping software for plannning the route and printing maps that has an iPhone app for navigation is everyone using in Scotland? I am looking at Viewranger. Recommendations? Another question. This might be crazy but do challengers ever share their GPX files?

Christy

I would certainly recommend Viewranger for use on an iPhone. Also at the moment they have some very good deals on maps.

It is difficult for first timers to plan a route across Scotland, as I found out last year, even more difficult if you have never been to the country before.

If you got to the top of Mount Witney then you are no stranger to backpacking but Scotland is a country where the weather dictates your route.

So I would suggest a relatively low level route utilising many of the LRT (Landrover tracks) and paths rather than going cross country where you may hit bogs and peat hags, do they have peat hags in the USA?.

If you can get hold of a copy of "Scottish Hill Tracks" ISBN 978-1 907233-16-6 it will greatly help you plan your route.

The way I planned my route last year was to utilise the website http://www.outdoorsgps.com. Once you set up an account you can plot a route across. The system allows you to start at the 50k level but drill down to the 25k level to check the detail. Once you finalise the route you can export it as a .gpx file.

I've not heard of anyone sharing a complete route as the principle is you know your own ability and limitations and its better to work out a route best for you.

However by all means use this message board for help and suggestions, it is a mine of information and everyone will help. There are several 'choke' points across so if you can include Kingussie / Fort Augustus, Braemar and Tarfside into your route and you will meet many Challengers en route.

No doubt you will get further tips and suggestions from fellow Challengers as the social side of the TGO is outstanding.

I'm starting from Glenelg this year so I will be 24 hours behind you.

A few websites which will help you are

"Wheres the path" which shows OS maps alongside aerial photography

"Geograph" which has photos of most OS map squares


Ray D

Hello Ray,
Thank you for your advise. I ordered Scottish Hills and Tracks and love "Where's the Path". I got a great start plotting a route out today. Thanks everyone.

I use Route Buddy on my iPhone which is quite good but don't really use much on the trail to conserve battery life; also on the PC for route planning.
For normal navigation it's A4 paper maps in a aLoksak + compass + a Geko 201 GPS.

Hi Christy,
Many challengers have posted blogs with their full route described. You might get inspiration from reading some. Just google Tgo Challenge Blogs or try Doodlecat.com.
I also recommend Viewranger.

Maybe see you en route!

Liz

Thank you Liz. I bought maps and started with Viewranger today.

Hi Christy

If you use a Mac/iPhone combination then I think that Routebuddy is the best option. But you have to plan for several days without being able to charge your phone and my experience with iPhones is that the GPS really runs down the battery so you can't keep it on all the time.

A list of TGOC'13 blogs is here:

http://iansommerville.com/blog/tgoc-13-a-list-of-blogs/

Ian

Hi Christy, welcome to the Challenge!

Following on from Ian's comment about phone batteries, here is a salutary tale from Arrocher MRT on 4th January 2014.

“The team was alerted at 14.45 to attend to two walkers on Ben Vorlich, by Loch Lomond. Uninjured, the walkers had become disoriented in winter conditions near the summit of the mountain. As they were navigating solely using a mobile phone GPS unit, they were unable to find their way off when the battery died. The team deployed several parties onto the hill in increasing darkness and were joined by Police Scotland MRT. The missing pair had taken shelter in survival bags and were located high on the mountain. They were then slowly assisted down by Arrochar and Police MR personnel. Manhours expended:114"
Link

Very Important Point Emma.
Always have maps and a compass.

I have used a gps twice on the last 2 crossings.
And that was just to get a bearing to check on the map.
I have never apart from on a bike, used one to navigate.

I know a man who Andy walks with a lot who got lost on Cross Fell using a GPS :) . Good map and compass skills, have the bearing off summits to get down safe written down can will all help - a GPS is then a top aid to help navigate, but you wont be crying when it breaks lost in the mist. I also use Viewranger on my phone and rate it but it's a aid not my main way to navigate.

Thank you all for your tips and warnings. Rest assured my husband and I will be carrying map and compass and know how to use them. However I do realize that Scotland features many conditions that I am very unfamiliar with. Funny…I am so used to worrying about hauling water from one source to another and filtering from safe water sources, altitude sickness, animal protection for food, snow on high passes, mosquitoes, and long distances between food supplies. I am now beginning an appreciation for relentless rains, white out conditions, peat bogs, peat hags, and Ordinance Survey maps.

The route sheet due requires elevation statistics for every day, so hence the quest for mapping software. Last night I used OS GetaMap (I have used several mapping programs now). It has the option to have an aerial view like Google Earth. This made the planning fun, especially viewing the aerial photos of munros we would like to climb.

Thanks again for this very helpful community. I am sure I will have more questions.

Christy

Re: Where's the Path

I use http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath_old.htm

I think this is the older version of "Where's the Path". I found that the newer version is not personally as good.

Just for info, although you may have found out for yourself.

If you use the bar at the bottom and click on the route node icon (left hand side)you can click on points on your route. Hover over the last round node on the route, click; once it becomes a cross. This gives total distance, ascent and descent.

The height gained was higher than when I calculated it manually from the OS paper map but seems accurate enough to satisfy the vetters.

Your other mapping software probably has similar facilities.

Apologies if you already know all this.

Hi Christy,

Just to add another option, have a look at Grough Route.

It's pretty good. It keeps track of distance and elevation while you plot your route, it can import/export as GPX, and print Ordnance Survey mapping with route plotted on top. Not free, but not expensive and you can buy it by the month. There is a free trial also.

I used it in conjunction with Where's the Path for both my Challenges, found both of them very handy.

Have a great Challenge!

Mike

Hi Christy,

For knowing which OS map sheet number(s) a given day's route lies on, I use this map of Landranger sheets which shows the boundaries between them.

Enjoy the planning!

Jaya John

Grough route have just more than doubled the price for a monthly subscription. Maybe it is time to look at some of the other options.

Colin.

Well, there will be little need to worry about finding water and filtering. Especially in the West.
Hopefully see you peeps on route.
And if not.
Have a great TGOC