The Mark Muir Challenge returned last weekend with a splash! 16 Explorers took part in teams from Ardgowan, Darroch, Terra Nova and Westburn Units.
The Challenge which is a secret programme started with heading to Milngavie on Friday night and hiking along the West Highland Way. The teams hiked into the early hours of the morning until reaching their campsite where the participants camped out in survival bags.
On Saturday the teams spent the day hiking in the area to different checkpoints and completing different bases. Activities and tasks at the bases included wild cooking, pioneering, Swedish stoves, first aid and an outdoor escape room.
On the Saturday night the Explorers took part in a zombie apocalypse wide game and completed a gorge walk up the Devil’s Pulpit. The gorge walk was a highlight of the weekend!
On the Sunday, it was an early rise at 6am to head back to Gourock, then the teams hiked to Inverkip.
The Muir family had prepared lunch for them. District Commissioner Martin Buchan presented the awards in front of family and leaders.
All the Explorers completed the challenge and received their Mark Muir Challenge award with 4 Explorers going above and beyond the requirements of the challenge and receiving the Gold Mark Muir Challenge award.
The team with the most points from the weekend winning the Mark Muir Challenge trophy was the Darroch Unit.
Well done to all Explorers who took part in the weekend, and a massive thanks to all leaders involved as well as the Muir family for their continued support of the Challenge every year. And a grateful thanks to Vango for providing the sleeping bags awarded as prizes to the winning teams.
