Summit success for all on Arkle during our mountain day

Both 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. Cloud capped the summits and stayed there for most of the day but below the cloud the views were fantastic.

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.

Rock climbing and abseiling is planned for tomorrow along with ‘search to survive’, our wilderness orienteering course.