Mark Muir Challenge

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The weekend saw the return of the Mark Muir Challenge with twenty-three Explorers taking part. There were teams from Ardgowan, Darroch, North Face, Terra Nova and Westburn Units taking part.

On Friday night the Challenge which has a secret programme, began with the teams heading to Edinburgh.

They raced around the city centre checking off different tourist attractions on their list. Then they hiked over the Forth Road bridge in the early hours of the morning. On arrival at the campsite in Bonaly, participants camped out in survival bags.

Saturday was spent hiking in the Pentland hills navigating to different checkpoints and completing different bases.

Activities and tasks at the bases tested different skills. These included wild cooking, pioneering & making survival wearables. Bases tested communication, physical and logic skills.

On Saturday night, the Explorers travelled to Arrochar. They hiked into the Arrochar alps into the early hours of the morning before camping out on the Cobbler.

An early start on Sunday saw them hiking off the hill before heading back to Inverkip for lunch. This has been prepared for them by Mark Muir’s family.

All Explorers completed the challenge and received their Mark Muir Challenge award with 6 Explorers going above and beyond the requirements of the challenge and receiving the Gold Mark Muir Challenge award.

The winners of the Mark Muir Challenge trophy, scoring the most points over the weekend was the team from Westburn Explorers.

They were presented their awards by Martin Buchan, the District’s lead volunteer in front of their families and leaders.

Well done to all Explorers who took part in the weekend and a massive thanks to all leaders involved.

Thanks also to Vango for providing prizes to the winning team and thanks to Mark’s family for their continued support of the Challenge every year.