Red and Blue teams reach both summits of Arkle

Perfect weather for mountain day

The teams are back at the Adventure School this evening after a big day on the mountain. With the deluge experienced during the day on Sunday we chose not to camp on Sunday night but instead to make an early start this morning. We were up for breakfast at 7am and then straight out for the short journey to the estate village at Achfary where the climb commences. A couple of early showers were short lived and the temperature was just right for a good ascent. 

The teams picked their own lines with the instructors up the open south eastern flank of the mountain where a stream flows over quartzite ledges forming little pools and chutes. As the teams rose higher the high level clouds parted a little to give shafts of sunshine and some blue skies again.

Both teams came together at the first summit, that sits at 758m above sea level. Packed lunches were taken here before tackling the crescent shaped ridge that links the first summit with the higher second summit. The ridge itself starts off with a short descent to a col, before climbing out of the col and sweeping round to a crenelated section that requires some additional teamwork and the use of the odd hand in places.

The teams took it all in their stride, reaching the second summit (787m) just after 2.30pm. Stunning views across the west coast and incredible clarity. We were able to make out the western isles on the horizon and pick out the Adventure School and Ardmore amongst the patchwork of hill lochs, sea lochs and rocky outcrops down below.

The decent involves retracing steps a little before following a new line along the edge of a large escarpment and then back down to the relative easy of the stalkers track.

It is a big day and it is not designed to be easy. The teams have taken it in their stride and it will stand them in really good stead for survival island on Wednesday.