Arkle conquered by plucky Highfield team

Lovely weather at lower levels but cloud caps summit

A beautiful night at Lone. The small stone built stables has been used by Ridgway Adventure for over 40 years as a launchpad for expeditions into the mountains and with a couple of flat grassy areas close by and outstanding views, it is a perfect spot for our wild camp.

A small shrowd of wispy cloud sat across the two summits of Arkle (our mountain objective) for most of the day, but the ascent of the lower slopes in warm summer sun with a reasonable and helpful amount of high level cloud to cool us down gave pretty much the perfect conditions.

The four teams (Blue Whales, Blue Moons, Red Snappers and Red Arrows) picked their own ways up open south-east facing flank with their instructors, popping into the cloud only 50m from the first summit.

A narrow ridge links the two summits and the cloud blew in and blew out on a warm but stiff breeze. The teams took to the challenge well, committed to the second summit despite some tired legs. We were there just after midday, a good time for a Year 7 team.

Descending out of the cloud that capped the mountain took us back into the sun, and onto the open descent ramp back to Lone.

We swam in the sea loch on our return to the Adventure School before supper of crispy breaded chicken with pasta and vegetables followed by sticky toffee pud.

A four-stage event tomorrow morning before breakfast (running, walking, blindfold kayaking and swimming) and the rock climbing, abseiling and ‘search to survive’ (a wilderness orienteering course).

The team have settled in well to life at the Adventure School. Boundless energy and great enthusiasm particularly for the place, landscape and views. A real pleasure for us!