You will be asked for information at various points during your TGO Challenge experience – all will be online forms. Below is a summary of the information that will be required. You will also find guidance on how to complete the forms on the TGO Challenge YouTube Channel.
Entry Form
You will be asked for:
- Your personal details – name, address, contact details
- Names of your walking partners – this is so we can put you in a group. You will need to decide before applying who will be group leader. This person is responsible for submitting your route.
- Experience if this will be your first crossing – details are below.
- T-shirt and sock sizes
- Amongst other declarations you will be asked to confirm you have read the Terms and Conditions which will be available here.
Experience Form
This is part of the Entry Form. If you have not completed a TGO Challenge crossing in the past you will be asked the following. The questions below are not a test – there are no right or wrong answers! Questions 3-6 are free text boxes. You may wish to prepare your answers for them before entering so you can cut and past them onto the entry form.
The information is used by the Coordinators and Vetters to ensure the route you submit is appropriate for your experience so please ensure it is as accurate as possible. Very occasionally we have to ask an applicant to gain more experience before applying again in the future. Please refer to the required Check your Skills section of the entry page if you are uncertain whether you have the experience required to participate.
- What experience do you have of walking in Scotland? You do not have to have experience of walking in Scotland to apply but knowing your experience of Scottish terrain helps your vetter assess your route. Tickbox choices are:
- I have walked my own route, or an unmaymarked route (eg Cape Wrathe trail in Scotland.
- I have walked a waymarked trail (e.g West Highland Way, Speyside Way) in Scotland.
- I have day walked in the Scottish Hills.
- I have never walked in the Scottish Hills before.
- What was the duration of your longest backpacking trip (any location)? The TGO Challenge should not be your first experience of backpacking. If you want to participate in 2025, you should experience some 3-4 day backpacking trips and feel comfortable with “leave no trace” wild camping before May 2025. Tick box choices are:
- None
- 1-3 days
- 4-7 days
- 8-14days
- 2-4 weeks
- 1 month or longer
- Please give details of your backpacking trips – include year, area, duration, whether a waymarked trail or self-planned route and average length of days. If you have lots of experience just tell us about 3 or 4 of them focusing on the most recent but include the longest trip and experience in Scotland.
- Please tell us which of your trips above were solo.
- Do you have any winter walking experience? If so please summarise including use of ice axe and crampons. It’s ok to have no winter experience but the information helps your vetter assess your route and advise appropriately.
- Please summarise your experience of navigating over pathless terrain and in poor visibility.
- Do you intend to carry a tent or shelter on your crossing? You are strongly advised to carry a tent but you must at least carry some form of shelter
- On average what daily distance do you expect to cover (km) on your TGO challenge route? If you are used to working in miles you will need to convert to kilometres
- Please provide any other information you feel is relevant.
Route Sheet
The Online Route Sheet is where you present your route to the Coordinators and Vetters.
It can be saved as you go along so you do not need to complete it in one sitting.
It can also be also be adjusted after submission should revisions be suggested or required by your Vetter.
You will be asked for:
- Names of all team members
- Start and finish points and dates
- Description of each days walk (see guidance)
- Foul Weather Alternatives (FWA), if traversing high/exposed ground, and for unbridged river crossings
- Ascent and distance figures for each days main route and FWA
- Phone in Points
- “Pinch Points” and Loch Ness crossing details.
Useful resources for completing your route sheet:
In Case of Emergency (ICE) Form
This will be circulated in March/April and is a requirement for participation.
You will be asked for:
- Details of any long term illness, significant past illnesses or injuries. You will not be asked for details of your specialists or to provide proof of fitness. That is up to you and your medical team (if relevant) to decide.
- Contact details for at least one emergency contact. This person (or persons) does not need to be your next of kin but must be someone who knows you reasonably well and whom you trust. They must consent to their details being held by Challenge Control, speak English, be aware of your participation and the nature of your Event and must not be participating themselves.
- GPS tracker details. If you are planning to carry one you will be asked to share details of your device, your tracker map (if available) and to define which of your emergency contact will have access to your data.