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An Open Letter !!

Hi All, Gosh what kind of world are we living in now,The challenge so serious! Im sure we all look forward to
this memorable 2 weeks its planning ,trials and tribulations, some like to rise very early,some come into camp later but its
all part of our own personal experience, we are staying in tents not brick houses and we all have to have tolerance for each other, I understand we are all caught up in todays stresses of life but the challenge also needs be a break for everyone
to smell the grass and be at peace with our wonderful countryside,
One other point I would like to highlight, There was a couple of occasions I noted some challengers were not
experienced (lacking in experience) and could well have been in potential danger, Perhaps the vetting system
needs to be a bit more stringent,
This IS NOT a complaint this was just an observation! as an experienced old challenger that cares about the
future of the challenge.
This has been my 18th as ever thoroughly enjoyed the experience with I must say with a great bunch
of guys,
Thank you Terry
Love and light to all

Re: An Open Letter !!

Well said dad. What I will say is in 2006 when I did my first challenge it stayed with me forever and I still think about it even now. Not only was it going to push my boundaries but it was my dads dream of doing a TGO with his son, for me it was life changing but I have always thought a second challenge couldnt be beaten or even get that same feeling again. How wrong could I get. This recent challenge was even better meeting some great people new and old. Me personally had the best 2 weeks of my life and didn't want it to end! Because iv only ever done one before in 2006 I have noticed that this time the social side has become more serious and for me the challenge social side is equally important. Obviously Not everyone likes to sit and listen to someone playing Instruments or singing your hearts out with a well deserved beverage and that's up to them who am I to say or judge otherwise, but for me that's what it's all about. When do you ever get 5 challengers Morris dancing in sue and Ali's hostel that's the way we roll it's fun. Me personally like to get to the major towns. Fort Augustus, Braemar, Tarfside, Callater lodge it's where I like to talk and share my experience and talk about the challenge. Everybody's personalities are different but people have to understand that we are all a challenge family. Some have a dram some don't. Some go to the pub some don't. Some go to bed at half 10 some go to bed at 8,some get up at 5am, some get up at 8am. we should all get along and enjoy and respect each other's ways and not complain if it doesn't go your way. My challenge Video will go on you tube soon take a look still get goose bumps now. Love to you all and thanks to everyone that made it a very special time for me

Re: An Open Letter !!

... to smell the grass and be at peace with our wonderful countryside.

A poetic champions compose :) Well done Terry!

Being able to read a map should be one of the basic skills for doing the Challenge ... Noticed that somebody was having trouble with that ...

Hope that nothing tears us apart :)

Re: An Open Letter !!

182 views and only two comments says it all i rest my case!!!!!!!

Re: An Open Letter !!

What's all this about being able to read a map?

Lord Elpus, on occasion, brings along some helpful tide tables. We invariably get across by dint of Lord Elpus' olfactory prowess; He can smell a barmaid's apron from twenty miles away.

He's not failed us so far.



Re: An Open Letter - Experience!!

We very much agree that all Challengers need to be able to read a map! and need sufficient experience to be able to do the Challenge safely. Believe us, where it looks like there is any doubt about this, we have gone back to the applicant/s for further enlightenment. We can only go by what people tell us on their experience forms and even then we have often managed to read between the lines......Several people were 'deferred' this year, as we suggested that they go out and get more experience and then apply again some time in the future. We explained to a few others exactly what the Challenge entailed and they removed themselves from the equation! We and the vetters go to a lot of trouble to explain likely pitfalls, especially to first time Challengers, but again we can only vet the route before us alongside the information given on the experience form. If there is any other means of finding out from people what their experience actually is, then we would like to hear it!!
But it was ever thus - this is nothing new - one of us completed the 1982,83,84 and 85 Challenges and can certainly vouch for inexperienced folk being around then.

Re: An Open Letter - Experience!!

It's not just experience to read a map but experience to look at the cloud on the hills and say "I'm not going up there today" and take a lower level route. It's the experience to know when you can't walk due to injury or ill health. I had this on the third day of the challenge when I picked up a D&V bug. A fellow challenger offered to walk with me from Cougie to Fort Augustus but I declined the offer saying that if I did walk I would probably end up a mountain recue statistic. As it happened that 24 hour rest meant I was able to continue walking the next day and complete the challenge, albeit as a partial crossing.

It's experience in all sorts of ways. To many people look at a hill and think "I'll be up that in a couple of hours" only to find themselves still slogging upwards four hours later. Getting pack weight down is a skill, as is working out food and where to pick up new supplies.

If only it were as simple as using a map and compass!

Re: An Open Letter - Experience!!

Paul I think your missing the point of the whole paragraph it's self. The navigation was only a small part of the main question, The main part was tit for tat and why complains was issued and therefore tannish people reputation and integrity

Re: An Open Letter - Experience!!

So what was the issue?