Mountaineers return

All three teams returned successful from Arkle this afternoon. We had beautiful evening sunshine and a good breeze at our remote wild camp beside the old stone stable at Lone last night.

The target today was the summit of Arkle. At 787m it isn’t the highest mountain in Scotland but with a sea-level start and two summits to take in it provides the perfect challenge for a Year 8 team. There was a good covering of high-level cloud, well above the summits for most of the day, keeping the temperatures sensible after a few really hot mountain days here in the last few weeks.

The teams worked hard to gain the first summit by about 11.30am. From the first summit a ridge drops down to the col and curves its way back up and around to the second and higher summit. About half way between the two summits the ridge narrows to an easy scramble which the pupils handled well with the necessary care and attention for themselves and their peers.

Its designed to stretch the pupils, to work them as a team, encouraging and looking out for each other. There was plenty of chat and good humour along the way. The teams did a great job, reaching the second summit by lunchtime and were back down at Lone shortly after 3.30pm.

Only Rosie and Lauren braved the loch for a post mountain swim today but no doubt we’ll have a few more for the pre-breakfast swim tomorrow!