Mountain expeditions return

All four teams returned from their successful mountain expeditions at around lunchtime today. Sunday evening had given them a pleasantly cool couple of hours walking in to establish a wild camp at mid-height on their mountains, with the Reds, Blues and Yellows operating on Foinaven and the Green team on neighbouring Arkle.

Monday morning came with some clear skies and stunning views as the teams cooked up their breakfast on trangia stoves from their camp spots.

The main day of the mountain expedition is always a challenging one but the teams made good progress, tackling the most difficult sections before lunchtime. The northerly breeze kept the heat of the sun at a good level and low cloud blowing over Foinaven helped to cool the teams on what was otherwise a hot and sunny day.

The Greens, having left the tents and trangias at their camp, reached the second of two summits of Arkle by 1pm and returned to pack up the camp before dropping into the glen between the mountains and walking out onto open ground before camping for the night.

The Reds, Blues and Yellows all made the summit of Foinaven by 2.30pm and began to make their way down the mountain and into cloud that had now started to form, making camp in different locations lower down the mountain.

Today the teams picked their way through the network of little lochans and around rocky outcrops and back to the Adventure School for a late lunch. The afternoon was for showering, changing, kit unpacking and clearing up. Some of the young people went for a swim while others played volleyball and relaxed after a couple of hard days in the mountains.

This evening two teams were out sea fishing in the boats while others looked at the shelter building techniques they will need for survival island.

It is a great group of young people, very enthusiastic and they are all well despite some tired feet after their days in the mountains.