Arkle conquered by Kingshott teams
All four teams reach both summits in good time
In the past, Kingshott have come to us with their Year 6 and as part of the week we have climbed Ben Stack with them. However, with an older year group this year we had a bigger challenge in mind.
Arkle sits next to Ben Stack and forms a huge dome shaped structure with two summits, linked by a crescent shaped ridge that drops gently into a col, climbs back out and narrows in places to give a little exposure. Its second summit stands at 787m above sea level, but combining the two summits gives a total height gain of 940m for the full day, and a distance of about 10km.
The four teams (Blue Whales, Blue Moons, Red Snappers and Red Deer) set off at different times between about 8.30am and 9.30am and with their instructors, picked routes up the open south east facing slopes towards the first summit. The escarpment edge route gives great views and the stream route gives an exciting yomp up little quartzite steps with the stream tumbling past forming little pools and waterfalls.
All routes converge on the first summit and the Red Deer and Blue Moons were first to it, having started earlier than the others. All teams were now in the cloud, cool and a bit eerie.
From the first summit all the teams then tackled the ridge, taking them around to the second, and higher, summit. As the last two teams (Blue Whales and Red Snappers) reached the second summit the cloud parted to give amazing views across the west coast.
Sometimes the descent is harder than the ascent, as the prize of the summit has been won and now its just a case of getting back down. The teams took it all in their stride, arriving back at the old stone stable at Lone between 4.30pm and 5.30pm ready for the short journey back to the Adventure School.
A few of the earlier returners swam with their instructors in the sea loch, others just showered and changed ready for supper.
A big day that is designed to be challenging, to stretch the pupils a little, so they get a better understanding of just how much they are capable. They all did a great job out there today. Roll on survival island!
