Spending many hours pondering over maps during the winter, whilst planning your route is an integral part of the Challenge.  So, we are delighted to announce Outdoor Map Navigator as the TGO Challenge’s digital mapping partner.  Established as Anquet Maps in 2001, they have provided a digital mapping platform to outdoor enthusiasts for over twenty years.  We imagine a lot of routes across Scotland have already been created with Anquet and OMN and we hope their generous offer will facilitate many more.

OMN will be offering all Challengers (including current subscribers) a 7-month free subscription to their OS Premium Service, which includes:

  • Streamed access to the latest 1:50k and 1:25k OS HD maps on PCs and Macs.
  • Maps can be downloaded for offline usage on Android/ iOS smartphones and tablets.
  • Facility to plan and edit your TGOC23 route, distance and ascent figures and share files with teammates, coordinators and vetters.
  • Facility to print maps for your TGO Challenge route and other adventures.
  • Read more about Outdoor Map Navigator at anquet.com
  • Upgrade from 7 months of OS Premium to a year of OS Premium Plus for just £15.
  • The free subscriptions will be issued to Challengers, who accept their TGOC23 place, in early November. Existing subscribers’ renewal dates will be extended by 7 months.

Outdoor Map Navigator are also supporting the TGO Challenge by providing route vetters with a longer-term service ensuring they all have access to the most up to date maps.  This amazing bunch of volunteers give many, many hours to the Event studying each route in detail so they can offer help and advice to Challengers We are extremely pleased to be able to offer our loyal and long-suffering team something other than profuse thanks!


We are also pleased Ultralight Outdoor Gear are continuing as our headline sponsors.  They have been wonderful to work with over the last few years and amazingly supportive of the Event during the difficult Covid years. Three of the team are now Challengers so they very much understand the demands of the Event on both gear and a Challenger’s mind and body. For those new to the Event here is some information about the company from Chief Operating Officer (and Challenger) Dan Pearson:

Ultralight Outdoor Gear was founded to provide backpackers with real choice when it comes to their gear and to present more information than is available elsewhere about each piece of kit. We use as much of the gear as we can and tell our online visitors honestly what we think. The stuff we don’t have time to use gets examined at our offices and we give our verdict on it all, product by product. You’ll also find articles about backpacking routes around the world, the latest gear technology, how to choose products from the wide ranges available and other useful articles on subjects like food, winter backpacking, essential kit etc.  We are passionate about backpacking, especially in wild places.


Last but by absolutely no means least we continue our 44 year long association with TGO magazine.  It was founding editor Roger Smith who turned Hamish Brown’s idea into the Challenge and it is a testament to both men that it’s format remains largely unchanged.   Here are a few words from current editor Carey Davies:

The Great Outdoors is the UK’s longest-established hiking magazine. We have been inspiring people to explore wild places for more than 40 years. Through compelling writing, beautifully illustrated stories and eye-catching content, across a range of platforms, we seek to convey the joy of adventure, the thrill of mountainous and wild environments, and the wonder of the natural world. We’re here to help you make the most of your time in the hills and mountains. As well as stunning photography and top-class writing, we are famous for the rigour of our gear reviews. Our reviewers are the country’s most experienced team of testers – including world-renowned backpacking experts and long-distance walker, Chris Townsend – and we always ensure gear is put through its paces in challenging mountainous environments. Our essential skills advice is written by top outdoor instructors, guides and experts.  Our roster of contributors ranges from established outdoor writers and authors to younger, up and coming voices who reflect a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.