The Great Outdoors Challenge 2017??
This wasn't supposed to happen. Doing the Great Outdoors Challenge (TGOC) in 2016 was supposed to be a one-off adventure. But then I had a blast walking across the Scottish Highlands and met some great people. So I said, I'll do the TGOC again in 2018 when my friends Kenny and Ava could do the challenge again. But in September when registration time came around I just couldn't say no. I applied and got the official notice on November 6th that I have once again been admitted into the Challenge for this coming year!!
Since November 6th, which I know is only 10 days, I've bought new raingear:
Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket
Montbell Versalite Pants
I've also purchased a new (very expensive) tent that I should have saved money up for in advance, but it was on sale and couldn't stop myself:
Zpacks Duplex
I purchased the .74oz/sqyd cuben fiber version, which adds about 2oz to the weight. BUT, this tent only weighs ~23oz plus the weight of my stakes. I'm not sure of the actual weight as I haven't weighed it yet. This drops the weight of my shelter from 3.5lbs with my old tent to about 26 or 27oz. That's at least a 1.5lb weight loss from one item. You can expect a full review of the tent pretty soon and at least pictures of the other items.
Just by purchasing those items I've dropped at least 2.5lbs from last years base weight which was just under 15lbs.
So needless to say I'm excited for TGOC 2017. I haven't figured out where I'm starting from or going to yet.
On top of that, I also decided to up the difficulty level for 2017 by doing the 3 Peaks Challenge after I complete the TGOC. The 3 Peaks Challenge is climbing the highest peak in Scotland, Wales, and England within a 24 hour time frame. Hopefully my feet are in better shape after the TGOC next year. More details on both challenges to come!
