"We'll miss the wind, rain, bog and beauty of the Outer Hebrides!"
28th August
!It’s day 18 of our expedition and we have come to be known as the Bog Clan, over the last two and a half weeks we have spent much time trudging through bog, over mountains and falling in rivers. We have at last reached barra and are having a lot of fun at the beach. We have eaten a lifetimes worth of dehydrated food, sheltered from high winds in shaking tents but still had a lot of laughs!
As our expedition comes to an end we are all excited for our beds, pizza and seeing our families (in that order) but we’ll miss the wind, rain, bog and beauty of the Outer Hebrides!”
-Bog Clan
Hartz Islands final week
27th August
Both Fires, the Pirates of the Hebrides and the Bog Clan are on the final week of their Hebridean adventures.
The Pirates explored the remote corners of South Uists, staying near a remote Mountain Bothy, climbing Heacla Mountain and spotting large herds of deer, Golden and Sea Eagles. They are now trekking out on the West coast on the windy Machair.
The Bog Clan have made it further South and currently on Barra, staying near the Traigh Mhor (means big beach in Scots Gaelic) where scheduled flights use the beach as a runway. They return in the next day or so as foot passengers across the Sound of Barra.
All are nicely tired and dirty!!! But in good spirits.
Its not over yet though. On Friday both Fires have a 4 hour ferry crossing to Mallaig and a camp with the stunning beaches of Arisaig where we plan a BBQ celebration, then returning Saturday to Glasgow.
The Pinnacle Wild Leadership Team have landed
22nd August
The Pinnacle Wild Leadership team touched down in Heathrow airport, after a busy 4 weeks of camping, trekking and developing their leadership skills in the Georgian Caucasus Mountains. We look forward to seeing the team reunite again at our Explorer Celebrations event in October!
"Plan is as always, explore, eat, sleep and enjoy each others company"
22nd August
“We are approaching the end of the Hartz Islands Lewis and Harris phase, both Fires (Bog Clan and the Pirates of the Hebrides) are encamped near Leverburgh in the sand dunes. Both are in good spirits despite the challenging weather. In between the storms we have spotted Sea Eagles, Otters, Dolphins, Ganets diving and a myriad of other wildlife. The Fires have also managed a few big mountains.
On Friday we are sailing to Bernary and then over the causeways into the Uists where the spectacular Machair landscape awaits us. Plan is as always, explore, eat, sleep and enjoy each others company. Still lots of new and exciting environments to discover, mountains such as Hecla, ancient ruins and wild beaches.”
Hello from North Harris
21st August
The top image is Fire 1 – ‘The Bog Clan’ on a wet and windy summit in the mountains of North Harris.
The bottom photo is Fire 1 leaders enjoying the wild Hebridean weather!
Farewell Georgia
20th August
“Our Pinnacle Wild Leadership Expedition in beautiful Georgia has come to an end and Kaji Fire are homebound! Across the past month, we have hiked 157.4 km across the Caucasus Mountains and climbed 8,445 meters. We have explored mountains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, and stared up at the milky way. We are feeling grateful for the new friendships made, the tent giggles, hillside silliness and the leaders who have supported us through a journey shared together. Being part of this team has made space for reflection and growth, and has been life changing. Now off we chug as one strong, food sharing, caring, well worn, and dusty team! See you soon Tiblisi!” -Kaji Fire
Although the Pinnacle Wild Leadership programme won’t be running again next summer, we will still be heading back to Georgia in 2025. If you know someone who might be interested, applications for the Caucasus Mountains Georgia 2025 expedition are currently open…
Journeying back from the Caucasus
20th August
“We are at station waiting for train to Tblisi!! All ok, need ice-cream!!!🥵🥵🥵”
-Ushba Fire
'Georgia we love you!'
18th August
In the past eight days, we’ve hiked 63.5km and climbed 4107 meters for our immersion phase of our Wild Pinnacle Leadership Expedition. We’ve made our way through woodlands, crossed rivers, and hung out by glaciers and a bright blue glacial lake, once unnamed, now Lake Moonstone! We’ve taken in huge waterfalls surrounded by their mists, camped on hills taller than ever before, and reached 3035 meters on Tsiakiari. Sun rises and sun sets have been shared, Milky Way gazes, and laughter and connection. We’ve learnt about ourselves, each other, and what community and leadership really means. Georgia we love you!
Lots of love, Kaji Fire
Highlights from Base Camp in Georgia
17th August
“Base Camp Glen is situated in a deep alpine valley surrounded by the high mountains of the Caucus range, especially the southern peaks of Ushba.
We have been here now for nearly 5 weeks supporting our 2 Fires of Pinnacle Wild Leadership Young Explorers, Ushba and Kaji Fires.
The Fires have so far explored deep into the Dolra valley to our north and along the east and western flanks of the Caucus mountains from Base camp, climbing and trekking through alpine meadows, loose scree paths, up into glacial lakes and the glaciers themselves, ascending to over 3500m to gain an understanding of the area and to practice and develop their emerging leadership.
Base camp has kept them supplied with enough nuts, oats, buckwheat and dehydrated meals to support their endeavours, and ensuring that they have plenty of fresh menus when they return between phases.
Though some Fires have taken it on themselves to produce their own lines in honey donuts, drop scones and flapjacks which the Base Camp team have been more than happy to sample!!
As we approach the end of the expedition Base Camp turns its head to packing up, inventories and ensuring that no trace of our camp has been left behind as we make our way back to Tbilisi and onward to the UK.
The YEs have been allowed to practice their leadership in the context of this wild alpine landscape and will leave with insight, reflection and actions that will help them develop as leaders of the future and start working at implementing themselves as these leaders across their lives, industries and futures”.
The Hartz Islands team are off
12th August
After a smooth 3 hour Calmac ferry crossing, Basecamp Hartz has been established on Lewis! From the team’s latest field update, Chief Leader Graham explains:
“Dinner currently being cooked with added protein of ‘midges’ to thicken the three bean sauce.
All Young Explorers and Leaders are in good spirits and planning ahead for the next few days and their first treks. Before setting off though, today they are meeting up with Park Rangers and Gardeners to be taught about Hebridean trees and fungi.
The park are also planning to provide the team with 12 sapling trees, one for each tent group to plant. No doubt each will be given a special name.”
Over the next three weeks, the team will work it’s way South, hopping between each of the Hebridean Islands. If you know someone who might be interested, applications for the 2025 expedition are currently open…
Another World, by Scarlett
9th August
Hiking 20 kilometres through the night on an empty stomach after 2 hours of sleep may seem like a bad idea; but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the best experiences of my life. 2 days before, I would tell you the date but by this time I’d lost count, we walked 22 kilometres through an ash desert without a water source. This may also seem like a bad idea but as a group we helped each other through; and I’ve rarely laughed as hard or smiled as wide.
We made it to dynhjufell hut and I heard the group realease a collective sigh as every muscle in my body gave out and I collapsed gratefully onto the wooden porch. I had never needed rest more but was thankful for the challenge and experience nonetheless. We agreed as a community to take a rest day before tackling Askja – a dorment snow capped volcano. The plan was to play cards, paint, have an early night, let our feet rest and hike to the top of the volcano the next day. This was not a plan we stuck to.
Having been promised a full day of rest you can imagine my dismay when our fearless adventure leader Al suggested a sunrise hike. He explained this would be our best chance to see the volcano without being drenched by the rain and while I understood this reasoning, I can’t deny my nerves.
The expedition so far had challenged me physically of course but also mentally in ways I never imagined it would. Although I’d silenced the doubtful voice in my head several times throughout the journey, this hike felt like it might be my breaking point. After some reassurance from my teammates I put myself to bed hoping the 2 hour nap would give me enough energy to complete the endurance.
We woke at 10pm, crossed the river and made it to the base of the mountain. As I looked back on the mars like surroundings I’d just traversed i shook off any final doubts I had, turned to the volcano and joined in with our groups latest round of R-bingo.
I’ve often been accused of minimising my emotions and challenges I’ve faced so here, I’ll just be honest – this hike was hard. It took what felt like an eon to find a safe way to cross the glacier river. Eventually, in a truly heartwarming display of heroism, the whole team worked together to create a stepping stone crossing; and I made it through with a a small scrape and great story. Soaked feet and bruised arm not withstanding our next accent was an even greater task as the altitude and cold air overwhelmed my senses doubt started to creep into my mind again. That was until I turned to see the sky had transformed itself into a technicolour blanket over us. As we all stood together gazing at one of the most magnificent views I’ve ever seen I was overwhelmed by gratitude and joy.
A few hours 7 kilometres, and several great story’s later we made it to the rim of the crater. It was freezing and I could barely feel my fingers but the view and the camaraderie were so spectacular I couldn’t dream of complaining. The way down was filled with nothing but joy, snowball fights, ripped trousers, wet bums, races through the snow and most importantly lots and lots of love. It truly felt like we’d conquered another world.
Aldeyjarfoss - Iceland
5th August
A few of the Young Explorers in Fire 1 reflect on their successful mission to Aldeyjarfoss waterfall:
“Aldeyjarfoss proved to be as spectacular as it had be described. After an initial wander into a small cave on the way up. We were greeted by huge columns of black basalt, almost concertinaed around us with at least 100ft of crater cresting over the edge. Inspired by the sight, folk began drawing and writing about it and taking photos – the cameras got a lot of use!”
“Aldeyjarfoss was a great photographic area for me using the camera, there were many little areas that were really scenic such as the river following after the crash off the waterfall.”
“The waterfall glen was an amazing place sheltered behind the fall with a stream going through it and a small waterfall. The weather was beautiful as the sun was out, making it a great place to picnic.”
“The glen was very peaceful and fairy like, we had lunch in the sun and had a dip in the river. The water was very cold, but it was refreshing and we were able to have a wash. We then had a nap.”
The rhythm of life in the Caucasus
4th August
Ushba Fire have had an excellent first week gradually adapting to life and leadership in the high Caucasus mountains of Georgia. We’ve explored the edges of the Ushba Glacier @ 2400m approx. which gave us our name. We have also climbed up to and camped in an alpine meadow near Meziri Lake @2300m, an incredible location surrounded by mountains on all sides. We have also summited Mount Bak @3286m and marvelled at the biodiversity of flowering alpine plants along the way. We have challenged ourselves both physically and mentally and have also noticed how our bodies are beginning to acclimatise to the challenges of high altitude. We’re excited for the next phase of our expedition!
Sellandafjell Ascent & Descent
2nd August
We left the mountain camp at around 10am and walked 4km to the bottom of the mountain (during which we moved to Fire 2). We found the short walk relatively easy but when we started the climb we underestimated how difficult it was. However, this didn’t stop us! The mountain got really steep towards the top and this slowed us down with the added weight of the rucksacks, but soon we reached a plateau where we stopped for lunch with an amazing view. There were many more false summits which we assumed would be the top but finally we saw a tower of rocks marking the summit. We found a geocache with a book inside of previous DNG Young Explorers and also Icelandic explorers – Fire 2 generously left us some haribo’s in there 😊
We left a message in there and signed our names for future explorers to find. The view from the top was phenomenal and everyone was taking lots of photos. On the descent we found a large patch of snow and we took turns sliding down it and having snowball fights which was really fun. Climbing down was rather difficult to balance but once we got to the last slope everyone cheered and some people ran down to the bottom. Everyone was very pleased that we all managed to climb the mountain and although three of us weren’t fans of heights we all enjoyed it by the end and were very pleased that we managed to do it – we couldn’t have done it without our leaders!
'a magnificent job'
2nd August
The three Hartz Highlands Fires have been doing a magnificent job of exploring and enjoying the Cairngorms. Visiting far flung valleys, hilltops and rivers they are embracing the wild camping life and producing some amazing art, poetry and science on the way.
——
Fire 1 – Lochan Fire
(An acrostic poem of journey so far)
Resupply number 1, we didn’t get too far. Now onto camp 2; Camp Baa.
Impronounceable mountain climbed, we have bagged our first Corbett in good time.
Vulgar carbonara? No need to worry, we have Thai Green Curry!
Energy low from our steep mountain climb, we relax in the river, what a great time!
Rolls of loo roll growing thin, emergency delivery – we’ll be back in a min…
Thought the toilet was good? Think again. “I’m not impressed” exclaims Will again and again, then
In Camp Pony, with no midges around, a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review breaks the ground.
Lovely Loch Tilt, our ultimate Tilt sample, we end at the start of our River Tilt gamble.
Time to relax! With a well-deserved rest, at Camp Hippo by the Falls of Tarf; simply the best!
——
Fire 3 – Mountain Hares
Over the last few days we passed pregnant horses, lochs and lots of bees finding a home in our shoes.
Climbed a mountain together and then another with friends both shouting “Peanut!” on the climb. Our tallest so far being Sgór Gaoith 1118m above sea level!
We bathed in many rivers and ate even more peanuts until we reached a brilliant bothy with chairs and no midges!
Photo: Mountain Hares at the summit of Sgór Gaoith
Hartz Highlands resupply
1st August
Fire 1 and Fire 3 meet with the Base Camp team at the resupply points, to stock up on food for their tours.
The adventure begins in Georgia
1st August
After spending some time at base camp, the Pinnacle Wild Leadership team have now set off on their first tours. Here are some photos from Ushba Fire, looking into south Svaneti.
The Pinnacle Wild Leadership team arrives in Georgia
30th July
After a long journey, the Pinnacle Wild Leadership team have arrived safely at their base camp in Georgia. Time at base camp has given the team a chance to acclimatise and reconfirm their essential expedition and leadership skills, before heading out into the Svaneti mountain ranges for their next phases.
First impressions from Young Explorers in Kaji Fire-
- “Excited”
- “First impression of Georgia was strange but base camp is better”
- “Bit like a dream”
- “Low light pollution was insane, got some amazing photos of milky way on first night in camp. Overwhelmed, this is insane”
- “Smell of mountain thyme was very strong and beautiful. Arrival felt significant as if about to explore a new environment- really special”
- “Stunning, peaceful and tranquil”
- “beautiful”
The Highlands team head out of Basecamp
26th July
The Hartz Highlands expedition is off to a great start with all fires heading out of Basecamp Thomas into the mountains in great spirits on Thursday.
Fire 2
We’re called ‘Scots On Fire’, because our groups are Fires and we are in Scotland. Rudy fell in a bog, we have seen cool wildlife, frogs, toads, an adder and deer scull. Completed FreshWater Watch water sampling survey and we got very low phosphate and nitrate levels at Allt scheicheachan.
Fire 1 Lochan Fire
(A haiku)
We crossed a river,
Many frog sightings – ribbit.
Called first camp “Camp Frog”.
Fire 3
Hello we’re the Mountain Hares! Named so because we’re crossing our fingers that we get to see one as they’re native to the Cairngorns. Also because it sounds like mountaineers. We’ve already seen a wonderful array of wildlife up here in the mountains including 8 frogs, 2 groups of deer, an adder, a buzzard, lots of beetles and fox moth caterpillars-Written by Young Explorers Nicole & Anna
The Highlands team arrives in Scotland
24th July
After independently making their way up to Edinburgh, our Young Explorers on the Hartz Highlands expedition have been safely met by their basecamp team (pictured) and are now setting themselves up at basecamp, ready to make the most of their adventure over the next few weeks.
The Iceland Team Are Off
24th July
The Dangoor Next Generation Iceland team were in high spirits today as they set off from Heathrow Airport on their adventure!
For the next three weeks they’ll be developing their confidence, skills and learning to work as a team whilst exploring Europe’s largest desert.
For the past 9 years our Dangoor Next Generation programme has gone to Iceland, but for 2025 we may have a new destination planned… applications are open, take a look at the link to find out more!
Expeditions Begin
23rd July
The first of our 2024 expedition teams are departing this week!
This year, we have teams headed to Iceland, the Scottish Highlands, the Outer Hebrides and Georgia.
This means we get to add two new places to our map of previously visited locations around the world. For more on the charity’s heritage, head to Our History page.
Final Preparations
18th July
This week our Programmes Team have been hard at work in the British Exploring Society stores, divvying out the kit for each expedition. Amongst the kit are core things like tents, sleeping mats and bags, cooking equipment, and medical equipment.
There’s also lots of specialist kit for science and media based activities which will take place on expedition – each Knowledge programme has been designed by our expert Knowledge Leaders whose backgrounds range from meteorology and videography to everything in between.
More updates coming soon!