In the event, on day three of their expedition, the group took the decision to shorten their day by taking a straight line across the high plateau above Loch Muick and forgo the summit of Munros 2 and 3. This change of route would save them about a kilometre of walking and a couple of hundred meters of ascent, but would mean that (if they maintained their current pace) they would arrive on Lochnagar (the highest point of their expedition at 1115m), and have time to descend before dark. This was a remarkable decision; a fine example of careful planning, rationale thinking and good group judgement. It was the moment when I realised how far the group had come in their experiences of expedition through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; that not only were they utterly deserving of their Gold Award, but that they were now ready to move beyond this and begin to make their own adventures in the hills. They arrived on the summit of Lochnagar, some hours later, with just enough energy to slice the chocolate cake which they had carried for three days, and stumble back down the mountain to their final camp. They sat for a few moments in awe, looking down through a rainbow, to the corrie lochans, nestled below huge cliffs. A day later, back in Ballater, their assessors had no hesitation in declaring that Halina, Ingrid, Aidan and David had comfortably passed their Gold Award. Their initial anxiety and doubt about how four 18 year olds would accomplish such an expedition, had given way to a knowing respect for their abilities and resolve in achieving all they had done.
Well done and congratulations! I am sure your achievements will be an inspiration to current pupils who are embarking this year on Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions.
Dan Walmsley
PT Guidance
