Nick's TGO Challenge 2025 – Part 2
Posted by Nick Brown on Aug 19, 2025
Day 7 - 14th May
Invernahavon Campsite – Glen Feshie
Distance: 26.47km
Altitude: 678m
Steps: 27,783
The downside of having a campsite so close to the A9 and railway line was when they decide to do any maintenance, they tend to do it at night so not to disturb the traffic. However, it does disturb campers! The sound of rattling machinery seemed to go on all night; I must have only managed
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Dyneema Composite Fabric Explained
Posted by Andy Neil on Aug 18, 2025
Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), formerly known as Cuben Fibre, has transformed the world of ultralight backpacking. This high-tech fabric, popularised by tent manufacturers such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, offers exceptional strength-to-weight performance, full waterproofing, and all-weather reliability. It’s now a common choice for ultralight tents, backpacks, and accessories, allowing adve
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2025 Phase Lite Gore-Tex Jacket
Aug 18, 2025
Combining lightweight Gore-Tex ePE performance shell with advanced construction techniques and essential feature set, the Phase lite ensures maximum wet weather protection and full garment breathability whilst minimising weight. BARRIER and STORMGUARD construction techniques enhance wet weather protection, and are engineered alongside our streamlined features set, including the PIVOT 2 fully adjus
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Lois' TGO Challenge 2025 Kit List
Posted by Lois Fife on Aug 13, 2025
The kit selection for my TGO was based on balancing warmth and comfort in potentially changing weather whilst keeping weight to a manageable level. Utilising technology to keep me on the right track, safe and powered for the duration. The weather for a two-week trip in Scotland is hard to predict, especially at some of the higher elevations and having versatile clothing to cover all eventualities
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Nick's TGO Challenge 2025 – Part 1
Posted by Nick Brown on Aug 11, 2025
Day 1 - 8th May
Mallaig to River Carnach
Distance: 21.19km
Altitude: 1636m
Steps: 31,115
My route would start with a short 30-minute ferry ride from Mallaig to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula. But first I would have to officially sign out from the West Highland Hotel. Situated just up the road from my slightly more rustic hostel. The hotel overlooked Mallaig and had a wonderful clear view out
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Danny's Tour Du Mont Blanc Kit List 2025
Posted by Danny Pearson on Aug 08, 2025
Danny's ultralight kit has been purpose-built for the Tour du Mont Blanc, designed for self-sufficiency, weather resilience, and long days in the Alps. At just over 5.5kg base weight, it strikes a balance between comfort, durability, and performance without excess. From the bombproof ULA Ultra Circuit pack to the Mont Zero Superlight Sleeping Bag, every item has been chosen with intention. Gear-bu
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Lois' TGO Challenge 2025 – Part 2
Posted by Lois Fife on Aug 07, 2025
Day 8 Balquhidder to Meall Odhar
Friday 16 May
Distance 22.4km
Elevation 639m
I woke to glorious sunshine beating down on the tent. Keen not to hang around in the tick infested glade too long, I quickly packed up and headed out without breakfast with the intention of stopping somewhere along the track and after about 3km I found a clear stream just off the track and a large bench, perfect to se
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Lois' TGO Challenge 2025 – Part 1
Posted by Lois Fife on Jul 31, 2025
9-22 May 2025
Portavadie to Arbroath
Total distance 331km
Elevation 6300m
Precipitation 0%
Midges >1%
Ticks 3
The TGO Challenge is steeped in history. It started in 1980 when mountaineer Hamish Brown presented the idea of a coast-to-coast, self-guided challenge to Roger Smith, the then Editor at The Great Outdoors Magazine. Many challengers return year after year to join the pilgrimage from
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Ultralight Kit for the West Highland Way: My 5.7kg Setup for a Summer Through-Hike
Posted by Andy Neil on Jul 17, 2025
Eight years ago, I first hiked the West Highland Way. Since then, I’ve clocked up thousands of miles on trails all across the UK, learning, refining, and stripping back my kit with each trip. So, returning to the Way this summer, I’m walking it with more experienced legs and a much more dialled-in, ultralight setup. For a full, itemised breakdown of my kit, including weights and catego
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 Rucksack Review - ''A very well-thought-out design, clearly made by people who understand the needs of the long-distance walker.''
Posted by Nick Brown on Jun 12, 2025
Having been given the opportunity to attempt the TGO challenge, a two week coast-to-coast backpacking hike across Scotland, it seemed a great opportunity to give the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 litre rucksack a good workout. This being my first foray into the larger ultralight rucksacks, I was a little apprehensive about committing to a new bag for such a long trek. Would it be comfortable
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The Updated Mountain Equipment Extreme Light Sleeping Bag Range
Jun 10, 2025
We have loved Mountain Equipment’s Extreme Light range of sleeping bags at UOG for years. Designed with input from Matt Fuller, Mountain Equipment’s Dr Down (one of the only people on the planet to have a PhD in down) to maximise performance whilst minimising weight, this range just got a significant overhaul for 2025. Some elements have remained the same, why change things if they alr
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Big Agnes HyperBead Tent Series
May 01, 2025
HyperBead™ is a proprietary waterproof coating currently being applied to a handful of our Ultralight tent fabrics. Its highly specialised chemistry and application process makes it the most technically advanced and effective water proofing treatment we’ve ever utilised. Starting in our Spring 2025 product line, you can look forward to seeing HyperBead™ in our updated&n
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