One of the highlights of my first challenge was leaving Tarfside climbing up to the ridge that encompasses Mt Battock and, ultimately, Clachnaben. A bit of lunar, or certainly alien-looking landscape, with the peat hags and sand. Like nothing else I' ve experienced on the Challenge, before or since, and certainly well worth it.

As to water, had I carried water up there would have been innumerable places to pitch but I ended up in the Fetteresso instead, shortening my last day to Dunnottar Castle. Another highlight was my introduction to Graeme and Marion Dunsire, every year we seem to come across one another in the most unlikely of places.......I wonder where it will be in 2016.