THE 24 HOUR HIKE : A MOST ENJOYABLE ENDEAVOUR
SORE FEET , HIPS AND KNEES , BUT GREAT MEMORIES
As my second attempt at the 24 Hour Hike , I knew what was in store : sore feet , sore hips and knees , sustained lack of sleep , and probably hardest of all , minimal mental transition time to process the end of a school day and the commencement of this extraordinary endeavour .
The stages and sections have now blurred into each other so long after the event , but two strong memories remain . First , walking a brisk couple of extra kilometres around 2am on some flat , seemingly interminable road – we had turned off our head torches to appreciate the moonlight and consequently did not see the reflective glare as we marched straight on past the marker designating the turn off . Second , walking straight past – in broad daylight – the left-hand turn about an hour after sunrise and subsequently adding about four ( credit-less ) kilometres to our total .
This matutinal blunder was more perturbing than its nocturnal forbear , since when we returned to the actual turn-off ( thanks to the trusty blue dot on Emma ’ s phone ) there was the road , clearly marked , winding off to the left with very obvious signage . The mind boggles – well , definitely when it has not slept – and I suppose this is just evidence of the ineffective nature of human perception in a semi-somnolent state .
Notwithstanding the irritation of walking bootless kilometres which would not be recognised in our total , the 24 Hour Hike was once again a most enjoyable endeavour ; the glorious 100km benchmark again proved elusive , somewhat closer than in 2021 , but ultimately still out of reach . It still stands in my perception , beckoning , mirage-like , but hopefully one day attainable .
ALICE KEMP – SENIOR SCHOOL STAFF
SHARED EXPERIENCE IS WHAT IT ’ S ALL ABOUT
The 24-Hour Hike challenges boys both physically and mentally . Year after year , boys scramble in their applications to be one of the 120 participants in the hike . The incredible challenge has stood the test of time , as it continues to be one of the most enjoyed Scotch traditions .
I am one of those boys who gets drawn back to it every year . It never sounds appealing : 24 hours straight , through sore legs and heavy eyelids , and yet I returned to the hike this year for the third time . I think the hike ’ s success lies in the experience shared with the friends walking beside you . However far you walk , there is always someone to have a chat to or spur you on to the next checkpoint .
A tight race up the front saw eight boys clear the 100 kilometre mark . However , all the boys participating this year rallied together and raised $ 55,541.59 to support impoverished people in India . This is a brilliant representation of the team effort brought to this loved Scotch event .
OLLO COATES – YEAR 11
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