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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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Introducing the Nemo Ultralight Sleep System — engineered for hikers who count grams and crave comfort. With the revolutionary Tensor Elite sleeping mat and Pulse UL quilt, you’ll experience trail-ready sleep without the bulk. Here's why your next backcountry adventure deserves an upgrade.... The lightest Tensor ever made, Tensor™ Elite is NEMO`s sleeping pad solution for hyper-s …

The NEMO Pulse quilt offers standout cold-weather performance in a refined ultralight design. With 1,000 fill power, a sculpted cut, and a snug, enclosed footbox, it's an ideal companion for early spring, late autumn, and fast and light long-distance trips throughout the year. I had the chance to put the NEMO Pulse quilt through its paces during a week of mixed camping in March—first at a f …

We stock the key ranges of Big Agnes tents, find out which they are and what they do here. — It's a straightforward pitch, just one pole. The bivvy can be secured with five peg-out points, though only three pegs are provided, unless in strong winds, once your matt is inside, that will give the bivvy most of its structure. I'm assuming the "three wire" in the Three wire hooped …