Wild camp and Arkle ascent

Perfect day to be out in the mountains…

All is calm at the Adventure School tonight after a great day on the mountain. The pupils took it all in their stride with blue skies and a nice breeze to cool them on their ascent.

They must put something in the water in Bakewell… another determined team from S. Anselm’s working brilliantly with each other to reach the first of two summits and traverse the airy ridge that arcs around to the second and higher summit.

I walked with the Bluetooths team today; Ed, Tibo, Jess, Henry, Elliott, Georgie, Theo and Izzy. We took a line following a stream that tumbles over bright and sparkling quartzite slabs. The stream was low and we followed the waterline, scrambling up the little rocky steps, and around crystal clear plunge pools, drinking the pure water as we went. It was possibly the best few hours that I have had with a group in the mountains, such enthusiasm and genuine excitement from the kids about a beautiful and wild place.

All four teams reached the second summit for lunch and sweeping views back down towards Ardmore and the Atlantic beyond.

Yesterday we were out sea kayaking on Loch A Chadh-Fi. Abundant wildlife at the moment. The low spring tides revealed sea urchins, star fish, sea squirts and lots of other things to look at and the herring gull chicks on A Chadh-Fi island are growing at a rate of knots. We also foraged for and cooked mussels and winkles, lighting fires with striking flints and bog cotton.