Just signed out at THE PLOCKTON HOTEL for DAY 1 … 26km easy start (😌) with 800 altitude meters.
Weather is much better than expected … let’s hope it stays. Tomorrow is a MUNRO day.
Off I go … 09.05.2026 … 10:00
Author Archives: Michael Friebe
Inventor (>100 Patents), Investor (over 50 investments), Researcher (>400 Papers), Start-Up Guy (35+ Companies),
TGOC 2026 Packing List
Here is my packing list — 2.5 kg less than last year! 9.5kg backpack including food for 3 days!
What I will wear (initially):
- HANWAG MADURO MID GTX Hiking Shoes — 1026g
- Rab Layer — 304g
- Schoeffel Pants / Belt / 2 Energy Bars 😇 — 473g
- Merino Underpants / Socks / Shirt — 285g
- Sun / Rain Hat (Tilley) — 170g
- iPhone 15 Pro — 211g
- Monocular 10x — 76g
Total 2.545g
And here what I carry on my back:
- Backpack DURSTON Kakwa 55 — 850g (!!)
- my sanitary bag — 377g
- Cooking set (Pot, Burner, 2x gas cartridge) — 543g
- First Aid Kit + Charging Equipment — 351g
- Headlight, lighter, Eyeblindfold — 105g
- Maarten Multitool — 270g
- 3 days of high calorie intake — Dryfood (2x Reindeer Soup 67g each – 2x Blueberry Muesli 122g each – 2 x Spicy Pasta 238g each – 1 x Kebab Stue 104g – 2x Enery Bar 131g)
- 2 Waterbottles (1.5L and 0.5L) empty — 367g
- 2 additional layer clothing plus wool hat — 625g
- Travelsheet (SeatoSummit) — 321g
- Traveltowl — 118g
- Pillow — 154g
- Crocs — 225g (very important for water crossings)
- Additional shirts — 494g
- Additional socks & underwear — 328g
- SeatoSummit air mattress — 499g
- Durston Tent inkl. base layer and pegs — 750g
- Thermarest Quilt — 491g
- Rainpants — 263g
- Rainjacket — 450g
- Shorts — 193g
- Walking Sticks — 480g (mainly used as sticks for the tent)
- Maps in plastic foil — 71g
Total 9.416g
Unfortunately the weather forecast is not brilliant and rather cold – I have to rethink my planned camping on top of the Munros could be down to -10 degrees C and my equipment (and me in it) is not suited for that. We will see and decide when we get there.
LEAVING ON SATURDAY from PLOCKTON
One week left 🫣
Getting excited … weather forecast is changing on an hourly base. Yesterday it showed snow for nextcweej saturday, then sunny and decent, and now rain 😱.
Anyway … while it matters … I cannot change it.
Will report in the next days about my packing list this year a little adjusted to the plan that I want to camp on Carn Eighe (almost 1.200m) as well as Cairn Toul (almost 1.300m) with expected subzero temperatures at night.
Please consider donating for a good cause supporting the activities of the ROTARY CLUBS in Castrop-Rauxel and Ullapool.
Keep you posted 👋
I WILL DO IT AGAIN — TGOC 2026 — #4
This time from PLOCKTON in 12 days (that is at least the plan) to Scurdie Ness (little south of Montrose).
330 km and 11.000 altitude meters. I start May 9th and hopefully will arrive healthy on the 20th.
The path will lead me over Beinn Eighe and Loch Ness into the Cairngorms and on to Braemar and Ballater to Tarfside and then southeast to the destination on the North Sea.
Follow my walking journey at friebe.travel.blog – my learnings from 3 successful crossings up to now were:
- Walking alone for many days is “good for yourself”: a way to reset, gain distance from daily responsibilities, and return with more clarity and motivation.
- Physical hardship (long distances, significant altitude, rough terrain, bad weather) is not a bug but the core feature that makes the experience meaningful and confidence‑building.
- Repeating the same overall challenge over different years is a benchmark for personal development, fitness, mental resilience, and evolving expectations rather than to “collect” new destinations.
- Solo time fosters idea generation: coming back to “old assignments” with “new ideas” that emerged during the hike. The challenge is a mobile think‑tank rather than a vacation escape.
- Strong sense of gratitude and humility develops: finishing a crossing is happiness, pride, and thankfulness
- Setbacks or discomforts need to be acknowledged but just as quickly reframed as stories, learnings, or accepted as part of the game.
- Planning needs to be thorough (routes, logistics, gear) beforehand and then allows you to improvise!
- Small daily rituals (meals, simple comforts, brief social contacts) are very important as stabilizing anchors during long solo efforts.
- Tracking distances, altitude meters, and other daily stats are important feedback (for me) on capability and progress.
- Outdoor challenges are part of a broader personal identity that includes professional creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a taste for doing things “properly” rather than superficially.
- These trips are not gap‑year adventures but mid‑life projects interwoven with an established professional and personal life, which adds an element of deliberate choice and trade‑off awareness.
- Although most of the walking is done alone, there is an underlying community: other challengers, dinner events, and readers who follow along, giving the trips a shared narrative dimension.
Day 12 (Arrival in Stonehaven) — TGOC 2025 — Happiness and Gratitude
It actually rained during the night and even shortly in the morning … so i had to pack up a wet tent ⛺️
Made my last tea and off for the last 21km.
Was glad when I could finally leave the Feteresso Forest where heavy logging was going on combined with a closure of exactly the road and path of where I wanted to go … so I ignored the signs … not sure what else I could have done except for a long detour, which I was not willing to go for.
The last few kilometres before reaching Stonehaven were quite pleasant however … pretty trees, scottish rainforest, and over beautiful and colorful heather hills.
And then I reached the outskirts of my final destination – STONEHAVEN!
… and after 4.5 hours today, total of around 350km with 12.000 altitude meters, 11 nights with 8 in my tent, I reached the North Sea — happiness, gratitude, pride!
I also released the little stone that I brought with me from the Atlantic in Torridon to the North Sea.
Many others chose Stonehaven as their final destination and some of them gathered for a beer and coffee at the beautiful harbor.
Heading to my hotel in Stonehaven now … freshen up and then travel down to Montrose by train for the evening reception that I will attend.
And here my video statement after completing the challenge:
Learnings:
- Long-distance hiking is meditation! … and for me a better one than anything else offered.
- The last day is also just a day … but leading to a long anticipated accomplishment.
- The end of one challenge is the beginning of many more.
- Really looking forward going back now … which means that one should do these type of self-reflections more often.
- Sure there will be more to come, but tired right now 😴
Already booked my ticket for tomorrow morning to go to Aberdeen and on to Inverness by train where I will change to the bus bringing me to Ullapool, where I will hopefully be picked up 😇.
——————
And here some pictures from the evening event and the get together beforehand:
Day 11 — TGOC 2025 — tough (last mountains), interesting countryside, and another surprising meet-up
Left St. Drostan (again not a very good night) after waiting in line with many challengers for a beacon roll.
I was ready to go at 08:30 … pretty early for me, but this second to last day was my longest (35km) and sounded with 1200am also quite strenuous.
First time I took this route out of Tarfside … goes up pretty steep to eventually reach the last corbett (Mount Battock) with beautiful 360 degree views.
Before reaching the top I met Jan, a german scientist who works as a prion research professor at UC London.
Amazing his career and achievements and also personal stories. We walked together all the way till the Charr bothy … nicest bothy that I have seen so far!
Jan stayed here pitching his tent and for me it was only halfway towards my planned campsite destination.
On the way to the Feteresso Forest I came by this beauty of a little hill …
… and after a couple of kilometres on a street with fast traffic I entered the huge managed forest … not pretty … and also including a decent size windfarm – probably around 30-40 towers …
I was quite worried on whether I would find water at the campsite location inside this vast forest – and I did!
And even more worried that there would not be a flat and usable flat open space for the tent – but I found one … so all good at the end.
As a matter of fact — at the end of the day three challengers seeked and found the same location …
Cooked my last meal …no more food in my backpack!
Which brings me to my learnings for today:
- Great minds think and plan alike 😉 …
- Do not overplan supplies … a day without food you survive! Water is more important.
- If I look at the people I already met by pure accident it was well worth it for me …
- If you sit at home you cannot meet people!
Tomorrow a quick 4-5 hour hike to Stonehaven … I picked a path that should allow good and fast walking with only some car traffic towards the end. My plan after arrival is to drink the whiskey that I carried with me the entire trip … possibly have a beer at the harbor, check into my hotel, clean up, go to Montrose by train and pickup my finisher shirt … I will report 🥳
Day 10 — TGOC 2025 — back in Tarfside … being among people again
On paper an easy and fast day — only 21km, but as I did this before, with a very steep incline up from Glen Doll to Loch Brandy (what a fantastic name) that looks a little like a volcano … and maybe it is … need to check!
But the good part this morning was my stay at the Clova Hotel … ate well in the evening … did some of my laundry … and was offered a full breakfast in the morning. The actual sleep was not that good … I guess I am used to my tent now 😎
After reaching the top (870m) it was actually quite difficult to find a path and even more difficult to make it down to the valley.
After reaching the west end of Loch Lee it was just another 8km before reaching St. Drostan and signing in for the day … nice chats in the kitchen with beacon rolls, cake and fruit …
… and I was lucky to get one of the few single rooms with own bathroom and shower … after first settling in for a bunkbed but then luckily changing that with the two canadian sisters who wanted to stay together … sometimes you are at the right place and time 😁
And then the Masonic Lodge started their BBQ and open their bar.
Nice talks and we even found a german subgroup … left around 22:00 after quite some alcohol.
Learnings:
- Water is live and power (yes, also nothing new … but experienced it particularly today … for me the hottest day of the challenge)
- Regular and known places are comforting (in this case Tarfside — third time in three challenges)
- You get happier and more excited getting closer to a final destination and being sure you can make it!
Tomorrow another really tough day with 32 km and one more night in the tent before reaching Stonehaven on Thursday 👋 — oidhche mhath!
Day 9 — TGOC 2025 — first and only Munro — back at the Clova
The plan (and I made it) was to leave Lich Beannie and actually pass two hill ranges (Glen Isla and Glen Prosen) before steeply descending into Glen Doll. In 2023 I came down the infamous Jock’s road and this time the Kilbo path down the Shank of Drumfollow.
But before that I had to first climb the one and only Munro (hills over 3000 feet), the MAYAR and the opposite DRIESH. Not a spectacular mountain but a great view and a cool
And I met two georgeous Springer Spaniels on top …
The way down was indeed very steep, but went fast anyway. And after reaching the parking lot a mere 6km to reach the Clova Hotel … took a shower … did laundry … and had a three course dinner 🍽️ … and now I will go to bed …
… and best, tomorrow’s breakfast is included as well!
My thoughts / learnings:
- Yes, a physical challenge requires planning and physical strength … but completing is largely a dependent on the strength of your mind!
- Pain resistance and getting towards the final destination is also 90% mental.
- We need to teach that our kids, students …
- A plan is essential, but willingness to change it based on circumstances is the key to success!
And with that I am up to date again after 3 days of absolutely no connection.
Tomorrow is a steep incline up to Loch Brady and a similarly steep descent to Loch Lee and then on to Tarfside where I am already looking forward to challengers.
Should be relatively easy, but I may decide to continue a little further to reduce my long day 11.
We will see!
Day 8 — TGOC 2025 — revisit Dalmunzie
Long trip ahead, but about half of it known to me as I went it before.
The first part from the Tarf River campsite to Glen Tilt is apparently not often walked … I lost the path several times.
But beautiful views from above and below.
From Glen Tilt the path lead up to the beautiful Fealar Lodge … apparently the highest altitude hunting lodge in the UK.
I also passed my campsite from 2023 and once I reached Loch nan Eun I made the descent towards the Dalmunzie Hotel.
On the way down I had a quick chat with Andrew, who rested on a huge rock.
After another 1.5 hours I reached the Dalmunzie Castle Hotel — stayed there before and remembered their food very favorably … from here only another 8km to my campsite at Loch Beannie.
I charged my devices had wonderful food and spend all in all about 2 hours before heading down to Spital of Glenshee.
After crossing the Shee Waters I followed the Cateran Trail (a 2-5 day trip … also very nice!) and saw this beautiful and unique Mother / Lamb pair.
And what you see here … walls towards the sky … must have been very hard to complete … no idea how old they are, but certainly no engine support at the time.
Upon reaching Lich Beannie (was again the only one) I put up the tent and took a bath 😁
Learnings for today:
- A long break in between is very refreshing and if accompanied with food a source of strength (of course I knew that before … but experiencing it is reinforcing)
- To make it to the campsite at 20:00 or even 21:00 ist quite OK — setup takes 20 minutes and sunset is not before 21:30 anyway (somewhat bright till 22:30).
- No, no more — that’s it for today!
Day 7 — TGOC 2025 — this cannot be true!
Look easy on the map … how wrong was I.
If you see the grass bushes on the map it indicates marsh / bog terrain. And I had to go 15km through that today …
All in all I was completely exhausted and spend 11 hours walking … and people who know me also know that I typically do not take breaks or only short ones.
Saw lots of frogs and beetles today though … on the positive note 😉
Kept walking up for about 500 am along some spectacular waterfalls and still enough water … I am positively surprised.
Almost on top I suddenly saw a person in front of me taking a break … on this path? Actually not a path … just on the map, but likely not walked for months.
And guess who it was?
Immo from Berlin, who virtually “saved” my live in 2021 when customs had unknowingly to me taken my gas cartridge and he gave me his spare one.
In 2023 I met a lonely guy sitting at a table waiting for the Cafe at Kinnloch Rannoch to open … was Immo (paid my debt back by inviting him for breakfast)!
And now 2025 day 8 in one of the remotest places you can meet someone!
Wonder where we will meet in 2027 — this is certainly one of the oddest things — don’t meet anyone else for days and then Immo again … and both of us started at different places, different days and did not know the tour of the other. Hope you come visit me in our scottish house one-time … open invitation for you!
After a short chat and some walking together he left to Blair Atholl and I went up another hill to start my 15km cross the marsh terrain.
But everything has an end … and around 19:00 I reached my planned campsite location.
And my learnings:
- TGOC is magical with unexplainable surprises
- Boggy terrain is a real pain when it had not rained for 3 weeks … imagine if it previously had rained for many days.
My Travel Adventures 