We are finally (nearly) back to normal and Scouts is meeting every week. We're trying to do as much outdoors and this week we went on a hike up Dunmore, just outside Fintry.
Showing posts with label hike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hike. Show all posts
Inchcailloch 2019
Balfron Scouts embarked on an adventure to Inchcailloch island on Loch Lomond, via a 9km hike with full packs from Drymen up over Conic Hill.
Thankfully parents (Russell and Mark) helped with their boats for the crossing as the post boat was off due to high water.
The first night was calm and some scouts ventured up to the ancient burial ground on the island, they returned quite quickly, and a little shaken! Others were brave enough to paddle in the loch, they also returned shaking!
On the second night we had to endure a storm which flattened tents, once we added extra guy ropes we took shelter in the fantastic bivouac with fire and toasted marshmallows after a great dinner of Spag Bol and fried garlic bread.
Full cooked breakfast with full strength hot chocolate both mornings of course!
Well done all the scouts for doing a tough hike with heavy packs and enduring the storm in great spirits.
Meggernie Camp 2018: Cub hike
On Saturday of the camp the Cubs went off for a hike down the valley, and then on the way back they stopped in the woods to make some great dens.
Scouts Expedition Challenge
Last weekend six of our Scouts set off to complete their expedition challenge. They had planned it all themselves and had given themselves a long walk to start things off, you can just see them reaching the top on the Conic Hill path if you look very closely in the photo below.
They set up their own camp, cooked all their own food and even managed to find and set up some geocaches on the way.
They're already planning their next trip.
Scouts Expedition Camp
Last weekend six of Balfron's oldest scouts braved the weather to undertake their expedition for their Chief Scout's Gold Award! Hiking along Loch Lomond and camping right beside the loch gave the opportunity for some (very cold) swimming with a lovely fire to warm up by the camp.
Congratulations to all six on completing their expedition and they will be looking forward to receiving their Chief Scout's Gold Awards in a few weeks time.
Inchcailloch Scout camp
This weekend the Scouts went to Inchcailloch, an island in Loch Lomond, close to Balmaha. We set off from Balmaha in the old ferry boat, with Calum bringing supplies in his canoe.
After what seemed like a long walk across the island with our full backpacks we reached our campsite for the weekend. The scouts set up the tents and had plenty of time to play games on the beach, go paddling in the lovely warm loch (or so the scouts told us) and make a fire while Calum made the hot chocolate.
It was a lovely night, with a great sunset and plenty of time to go off and explore the island. We searched for wild garlic for the soup, had our dinner on the beach and set up hammocks for those that wanted to forego the comforts of a tent. After a night walk to the graveyard, scaring a few deer on the way, it was time for bed.
It rained a bit in the night but we didn't notice it. After having to get woken up by the leaders we had a great breakfast and then headed off across the island to get the ferry back to the mainland.
The national park only allow a few people to stay on the island at any one time (we had it all to ourselves) so after hiking eight miles to Drymen the first lot of scouts said goodbye and the leaders picked up the next lot. Retracing their steps another eight miles back to Balmaha the second lot enjoyed the Saturday night on the island.
Lots more fun on the beach, wide games and garlic collecting later and a few more people in hammocks and it was time for bed...and an hour or so later the scouts actually went to sleep...but not for long. The dawn chorus (of fighting canada geese as well as barn and tawny owls) was very loud so a few scouts were unfortunately woken up quite early!
But maybe that was good as there was plenty of time to get the tents down and trek across the island back to the ferry and the waiting parents.
That was the end of another very successful Inchcailloch camp...the best bits were probably Calum's wonderful cooking, the great weather and the beach.
We'll definitely be back soon!
After what seemed like a long walk across the island with our full backpacks we reached our campsite for the weekend. The scouts set up the tents and had plenty of time to play games on the beach, go paddling in the lovely warm loch (or so the scouts told us) and make a fire while Calum made the hot chocolate.
It was a lovely night, with a great sunset and plenty of time to go off and explore the island. We searched for wild garlic for the soup, had our dinner on the beach and set up hammocks for those that wanted to forego the comforts of a tent. After a night walk to the graveyard, scaring a few deer on the way, it was time for bed.
It rained a bit in the night but we didn't notice it. After having to get woken up by the leaders we had a great breakfast and then headed off across the island to get the ferry back to the mainland.
The national park only allow a few people to stay on the island at any one time (we had it all to ourselves) so after hiking eight miles to Drymen the first lot of scouts said goodbye and the leaders picked up the next lot. Retracing their steps another eight miles back to Balmaha the second lot enjoyed the Saturday night on the island.
Lots more fun on the beach, wide games and garlic collecting later and a few more people in hammocks and it was time for bed...and an hour or so later the scouts actually went to sleep...but not for long. The dawn chorus (of fighting canada geese as well as barn and tawny owls) was very loud so a few scouts were unfortunately woken up quite early!
But maybe that was good as there was plenty of time to get the tents down and trek across the island back to the ferry and the waiting parents.
That was the end of another very successful Inchcailloch camp...the best bits were probably Calum's wonderful cooking, the great weather and the beach.
We'll definitely be back soon!
Beavers conquer Dumgoyne
This weekend the Beavers had a wonderful day climbing Dumgoyne. It was a lovely sunny day for walking but the hill was very high...so they all did very well to make it to the top.
They found a geocache on the way and Calum even magically produced ice poles at the top to cool everyone down.
Scouts climb Meikle Bin
This weekend some of the Scouts (and two Cubs) climbed Meikle Bin. It was a wee bit cold and very windy at the top but everyone made it to the top and we even found the remnants of a crashed airplane. We found part of the wing and, eventually, the engine. As some of us are starting the Mechanics badge soon this was a great time for Graham to explain how the engine worked.
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