tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post3671359381338289516..comments2024-03-23T09:47:39.612+00:00Comments on alan sloman's big walk: Butcombe Brunel 200 IPAAlan Slomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-15382165637096180942008-01-17T23:57:00.000+00:002008-01-17T23:57:00.000+00:00The Monadhliath are really not that bad!!!!!! Its...The Monadhliath are really not that bad!!!!!! Its just the mass of stalkers tracks, etc which change the area from its natural state to a mass of bog and unmarked tracks which can be off-putting as not on the map!! I pencil them in when I remember but the map might look like lead if I continue to do so....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-40559975913456022882008-01-13T17:50:00.000+00:002008-01-13T17:50:00.000+00:00I've already mapped out 3 "challenge" routes using...I've already mapped out 3 "challenge" routes using OS maps on Tracklogs! It's been a great help to read the trail diaries and the picture albums. I'm hoping to do a half challenge this year, probably Strathcarron to Dalwhinnie. Mr Grumpy's album amongst others has been useful to get an idea of what to expect. It's fascinating to try to piece together routes and investigate their feasibility. I'm not going near the Monadhliath until I get a bit more experience. Although I've been working out ways to get across, I'll save it for another time.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01010453929003454683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-50065001351604443852008-01-13T14:26:00.000+00:002008-01-13T14:26:00.000+00:00Thank you Robin for your comment - I appreciate it...Thank you Robin for your comment - I appreciate it. If you make it onto the Challenge in 2009 I am sure you will make an excellent recruit to this happy bunch of travellers. Please don't think this is the usual way that Challengers get along. <BR/><BR/>The Message Board seems to attract a few newer members that want things to come easily, rather than having to do their own research and planning and there are quite a few of the more experienced Challengers who realise that this could have worrying implications, as Mr Grumpy points out.<BR/><BR/>Quite apart from that they are only cheating themselves of the triumph of having overcome the Challenge they had set themselves when planning their own route!Alan Slomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966543499033330765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-89379698834663985892008-01-12T17:07:00.000+00:002008-01-12T17:07:00.000+00:00Hi Al,One thing that never got covered on the foru...Hi Al,<BR/>One thing that never got covered on the forum has to do with ability. As you know I have checked routes for the Challenge for a number of years, something I take very seriously and try to do well. When I receive a route I have to assume the Challenger has done their own planning and research. The clarity and accuracy of the route sheet gives me a very good idea of the Challengers experience and ability. If they just include a route simply cribbed off the forum they maybe giving a false impression of their capabilities and the advice I give may not be as accurate or comprehensive as it could have been.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22496677.post-65715039055181323762008-01-12T10:54:00.000+00:002008-01-12T10:54:00.000+00:00Although not part of the TGOC fraternity yet, (I'm...Although not part of the TGOC fraternity yet, (I'm hoping for 2009), I do look at the message board on occasion and watched with bemusement the increasing fractiousness of the thread you refer to. I have to say that message boards/forums/e-mails have a tendency to descend into acrimony. Although I've not had the pleasure of meeting you, Alan, I've greatly enjoyed your blog and your interview with Bob the Pod. You strike me as a man with a twinkle in his eye. Unfortunately this is more difficult to convey in a the black and white world of cyberspace. I bet if you had the conversation down the pub you would have ended up having a good laugh and propping up the bar at closing time. I hope the Challenge gives you a chance to kiss and make up (well, perhaps not kiss!).Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01010453929003454683noreply@blogger.com