My name is Alasdair Hoon and I'm 17 years old. I have always been intrigued by mountains and it has been an ambition of mine for many years to travel abroad and climb mountains much higher than any we get in Britain. I have been a member of the Duke of Edinburgh Award from the age of 13, the earliest possible age and have completed the bronze and silver awards. Since starting, I have looked up to the Gold Award holders and have always wanted to be one. However, to just climb in Britain would not live up to my expectations of the Gold Award, and would seem insufficient to gain the Award. This is why I was so excited and grateful when the opportunity came my way to climb the Atlas mountains, and the highest mountain in north Africa to gain my Award. I am hugely looking forward to this opportunity think it will be an exciting and challenging adventure for me.