Salisbury teen expanding horizons with Scottish Highlands expedition
Flora Wheeler joined 11 other young adventures near Fort William
A Salisbury teenager has told us she wanted to 'do something completely different' after taking on Outward Bound's Pinnacle expedition.
16-year-old Flora Wheeler completed the charity's challenge in the Scottish Highlands based out of Loch Eli near Fort Wiliam earlier this month.
Greatest Hits Radio spoke to Flora, who told us: "I wanted to expand my horizons and do something new and different."
Flora joined 11 other young adventurers on the journey through the rugged terrain over 19 days.
The group camped under the stars, navigated their way through some of the UK's most remote parts and conquered the tallest mountains the British Isles has to offer.
Each youngster was also offered a 'solo' experience where they spent time alone in nature to reflect on their experience.
Flora told us that she wanted to get away from civilization and be completely tech free.
She told us what she enjoyed most about the adventure.
"The people there definitely," she said, adding: "You make so many friends.
"I went completely by myself and I've got so many friends I still talk to we're going for a meeting cause some of them live in London.
"You've got people in Southampton and two from America, so it's really amazing."
Flora said the adventure had taught her a lot - including how adaptable a plastic bag could be!
She also said it had whet the appetite for more adventures in the future.
"I really want to go to another country into the same challenge. New Zealand looks amazing. They do Hong Kong, they do loads in America. So I feel like definitely doing a challenge in a completely new location will be really amazing," Flora said.
She's encouraging other young people to get out and embrace the outdoors: "I would say definitely get out and do it.
"It's a completely new environment, but I feel like it really it teaches you a lot about yourself as a person and I think it is a really good character development."
James Tedham, an Outward Bound Instructor who directed this year’s expedition praised the group’s accomplishments, noting, "Flora and her peers embodied a spirit of adventure and resilience that the Pinnacle is all about. Watching these young people conquer their fears and grow in confidence was truly inspiring. They returned as a solid team with memories that will last a lifetime."
Every year, Outward Bound works with 25,000 young people and is committed to making these transformative experiences accessible to all. Many summer participants receive significant funding through Outward Bound's Adventure Fund, ensuring that economic constraints do not hold young people back from embarking on these life-changing experiences.