Climb every mountain

Today was make or break. After a crisis meeting last night, the leaders went to sleep fearing the worst. The pièce de résistance was under threat from the famous welsh weather. What has kept this green and pleasant land so, was about to scupper the Scouts. Rain fell throughout the night, the ground, sodden. Leaders frowning in their sleep. And just when we thought it was all over. The morning broke with bright, pleasant, and almost, dare we say, sunny skies! Breakfast was prepared with vigor, Scouts were awoken by Nick’s optimistic singing, and all was well in the valleys. We arrived with 5 minutes to spare for our departure to the summit, after a marathon diversion due to the only direct route being closed, and maps checked at pace for a re-route (no sat-nav this time). The ascent was steep. Not the best start for 26 weary scouts. With the summit in sight, as we walked in sunshine, we met with another valley. We could see mist slowly dropping but nothing could have prepared us for what we met at the ridge between the two - belting wind, rain, heavy mist, and hail. Yes! Hail! Though the mist and rain also came dozens upon dozens of S.A.S. trainees, complete with what looked like an entire arsenal of weaponry (much to the delight of the Scouts) But, with a rich combination of encouragement, bribery, food, and the odd bit of Scout Association approved bullying they made it to the very very top. And not only that, but we managed to bag 2 summits in one trip! Hurrah! A huge well done to ALL the scouts, who though adversary and tiredness achieved what even we thought doubtful of ourselves.

Stotfold Scouts. Victorious.