My name is Kirsty Pallas and I’m 17 years old. In June this year, as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, I am going to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This is the expedition part of my award where the main goal is to summit Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain is north Africa. However, my personal aim is to experience a completely different culture from the UK and develop independence for leaving school. I am looking forward to the challenge from the heat and the altitude while carrying a heavy day sack.

There are another three participants in my group and we have all completed our Bronze and Silver awards together. The expeditions we have taken part in included walking around our local islands and paddling several of the nation’s favourite rivers. We have also done a practice expedition in the Cairngorms, which has helped to condition us for Morocco. Doing this together has helped us bond so we can trust each other in the different environment that Morocco provides.

I enjoy most other outdoor activities although my favourites are walking and canoeing.