A very long 1st day....

The Munro Mission started on Mull, with all the support team and athletes fresh after a lovely night in the cottage. Bacon sarnies were served up and everything was packed up again before hitting the road at 0615 to make our way to the first Munro of the challenge, Ben More. Suspense mounted as the whole of the DecAid Munro Mission team and a few supporters drove in convoy to the start line at the foot of the mountain, right at sea level. They then made their way right to the top and back again in record time for the team (knocking 30 mins off their recce time in June!). The Munro was dedicated to Robert McLaren of The Black Watch who lost his life in 2009, and so the team were joined by Robert's father Alistair and sister Laura McLaren who laid a heather posie at the summit in his memory.

Once back at sea level the team hopped onto their road bikes that were ready and waiting for them courtesy of chief mechanic and support team member Lewis Ashton. A quick cycle to the Ferry and the athletes met Tony from SeaFreedom Kayak who kindly escorted them across the Sound of Mull in the quickest time he has ever done it; a cool 36 minutes, at some points against the current. Whilst Henry and Lucy were seeing the team off from the jetty, they were met by the highly supportive MacNeal family who rushed to the jetty to see them off and kindly donated to every Munro the team will climb. We were also very grateful to all the people who waved us on and met us along the way. The triathlon style day continued with a particularly undulating 55 mile cycle towards Fort William. Lewis, Henry and Lucy followed close behind in the 4x4 complete with hazard lights and trailer to make sure they didn't stop off at the pub whilst James and Sophie took videos and photos (coming soon!). It was a very tough cycle and all the cars were in constant contact with each other and the athletes via walkie talkies which works brilliantly.

At around 1630, the athletes approached their final two Munros of the day, just as the weather started to close in. The rain made climbing up the slippery rock near the summit very difficult, but they made it back after 2 hours in high spirits to pick up their road bikes and return to the campsite. We as support team were amazed by how upbeat and high spirited the team were when they arrived back at the camp at midnight after such a long day, however this may have had something to do with the delicious chorizo pasta and dram of Jura whisky waiting for them on arrival! We are constantly amazed by their positive attitude and resilience and have no doubt that although the challenge will be extremely tough in parts, they are more than prepared to take it on. Fancy getting involved by joining the team? Click here to see the team's route over the coming weeks.