Report of Kandersteg camp.
Day 1
We started off on the plane journey and as we had a long coach journey afterwards I thought the driving would never end. When we finally got there we had to start setting up the tents and putting our stuff in which took ages. After that we could finally relax and after a while we had dinner. We had some fun for a bit afterwards then went on parade and after that we went to bed.
Day 2
We woke up. Then we went to breakfast, ate it and made lunch. Then we went back to our tents and Chris sent us on a hike through Kandersteg village. My group got lost, browsed through the shops and purchased a Swiss army knife. We went back to the site, had lunch and just used some of the things there. After lunch we had an international sports tournament, our team got to the quarter final of the tournament and got knocked out on penalties (just like a usual English football game). In the evening after dinner we had a light trail which meant we went along a trail coming to people holding torches and telling us stuff. After that we had a campfire and then went back to the site.
Day 3
First of all I had the zip wire which was really fun and instead of it slowing down you had a glove on because you had to hold the wire to stop it. After that we had lunch. Then it was a service project which meant you had to do stuff for the site and we had to hoard up fire wood. In the middle of it, it started raining but luckily I had one of the jobs that meant you had (some) shelter. In the evening we had a BBQ (in the rain) which was nice and then we had international evening. On our stall we had Pimms for the adults and English sweets for everyone. We also had some games on our stall.
Day 4
I had the Choc and Cheese tour which was a tour (with free samples and a shop) of a chocolate factory and then there was a tour of a cheese factory. It was really nice and I may have brought too much chocolate (but it was nice eating it) in the evening we had race with the world which was a few races up and down a field.
Day 5
First of all I had some free time which I spent relaxing by the fire. My big activity was my rock climbing workshop. We hiked up to a hut on the top of the mountain (and we had goats following us a bit of the way). It was nice and had cows with bells on all around. But it was hard work getting up there. The toilet stunk really badly but the rest of it was nice.
Day 6
I woke up and packed my stuff away then had breakfast. We hiked up to a rock and did some bouldering and then did the same thing on another rock. Then we had our first rock. It was 10 metres high. First of all I did the harder course up then I did the easier one and then I finished lunch. After that we moved to the 15m rock. I was the first person up it and it was really hard. After that I relaxed on one of the boulders and watched the others climb. Then we hiked down to the camp and had the international campfire in which I think every group there did a performance in front of the fire.
Day 7
It was Swiss National day. In the morning we did different activities, I did pioneering, making a see-saw for an assault course and after we finished, everyone had a go on the course. In the afternoon we put on milk maid plaits and there was a fair. Our stall was doing prawn crackers. There were other stalls, one doing sweets another was a water dunker. I was the last person to go on the dunker and I got soaked. Afterwards we had a BBQ and then in the evening there was a parade through the town to a ceremony.
Day 8
I had team building which involved a lot of different activities building you as a team. After lunch I had world scouting workshop where you had a quiz and had to do lots of different things on each turn. Then in the evening we had mass which was mainly in German.
Day 9
We had the boat trip on the Aare which was in a blow up dinghy down the river along the current. We could get out and drift beside the boat if we wanted to. It was probably one of the most fun things on the camp. In the evening we had our own campfire where we sang songs.
Day 10
We had the Oechinese which was a cable car trip up a mountain, a toboggan ride and a swim in a glacier lake. The toboggan ride was really fast and really fun. The glacier lake was freezing cold but also fun. In the evening we had a fondue.
Day 11
We packed up all our things, got on the coach and flew home to England.
It was great!!!
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Saturday, 16 August 2008
The Lotschenpasshutte Hike
by Antony King
On the morning of the Hike, we got up and packed our kit. We had breakfast as usual, and then made up two packed lunches each. We returned to our site to collect our kit and headed down to the Chalet to meet our guide, Keith. Keith explained the route to the team, and we set off. Little did we realize what we ahead of us!
On the first part of the uphill climb, we were already out of breath and struggling – and we thought we were fairly fit. Further up we stopped for lunch. We were all tired, but pushed on, heading for the Lotschenpass Hut, where we would be staying that night. It was all uphill, and we all felt the pain in our legs. A bit further on a member of the team had to turn back. Everyone was very supportive of each other which helped us succeed in this venture.
We eventually entered the most difficult part of the hike and we all struggled with it. We all pushed on, and when we were crossing the glacier Keith suggested that we turn back. We were determined to keep going scrambling across rocks. I cannot explain the relief we all felt when we saw the hut.
We entered the hut and had to put on crocs (provided by them!), and then we were able to ‘chill’. We were given beef and pasta for dinner and had a really good laugh with Keith. He was very funny. We were actually pleased to get to bed that night, and I don’t think it was too long before we were all asleep.
In the morning we had breakfast and started our journey downhill. It was a real relief to be travelling downwards. We made it to Feradon and had lunch and then continued on to the train station. As we came down the final hill, the train station came into sight and we were so pleased.
I think the Hike was the most challenging thing I have ever done. I felt quite proud that I had completed it, but think it was team spirit that helped us conquer it.
As Helen said afterwards “We were the 5th, and we were going to do it!!”
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Andy sent me this picture
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Goodbye Rob
A few miles into France and the image in my rear view mirror changes Rob turns North and we head towards Paris. Feels strange to be alone on the road. Max's leg Hosp trip 3 is healing well after getting mauled into my cycle he runs about the hops when he wants attention.......
See you all in Blighty hope to be at the hut unloading Friday night hint hint
The 5th in Print
Whilst having Lunch in a garage in CH we were interviewed by a local newspaper doing an article on the people who use the garage. We were of great interest to the paper who took pictures of the cars and asked many questions we became the most interesting feature of the day the paper's name is Solothurner Zeitung. The photographer had a D3 just for the SLR geeks out there(Elmer).
Homeward Bound
Well thanks to everyone for getting 7 vango's, 2 mess tents, 1 brown, 1 kitchen tent plus other assorted canvas and stuff down and packed into the two trailers. We managed to drive off the site at midday allowing Rob and myself a good 5 hrs driving to get to our destinations. Rob is heading to his Dad's and I'm taking the family to Euro Disney. our Discovery had a hiccup displaying a selection of orange dash warning lights and a brake light cruise control and reverse light failure. Found the fault and it was good as new with a 15p fuse.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Look! No Kids
Back down the valley.
Packing away
Monday, 4 August 2008
The Oeschinensee lake and toboggan run
By Max Harcombe
We were all very surprised this morning, not an early start,well for some of us.
We departed the camp for the chair lift at around 11:30 arriving to the lift at 12,
but were puzzled to find that the chairlift went up sideways rather than forwards!
By the time all of us had arrived at the top,our stomachs were desperate for food
so we dived straight into our lunches. But that still wasn't time to go on the toboggan run.
We we had a group photo for our family's and friends back in England. After taking the
photo we all rushed to the toboggan run all eager to whizz down the 750m long run.
After using our two goes straight away we decided to spend our own money on having another
go on the run, which i thought was worth it!After all having an adrenaline rush on the
toboggan run,we slowly strolled to the Oeschinensee Lake which was an amazing sight!
Chris decided to say to us that we would get a badge if we swam in the freezing cold lake
but after half of us we in the lake he told us that we wouldn't get one ! :-(
But it was good fun !!
After some of us warmed ourselves up with an ice-cream, we slowly strolled back to the
town, trying to stop ourselves from running down the steep hill, we all got down safely.
When we got to the town there was no time to go back to the campsite, we had to go
straight to Des Alps restaurant to try some traditional Swiss Fondu.
And that was our last day of activities in Switzerland !
We were all very surprised this morning, not an early start,well for some of us.
We departed the camp for the chair lift at around 11:30 arriving to the lift at 12,
but were puzzled to find that the chairlift went up sideways rather than forwards!
By the time all of us had arrived at the top,our stomachs were desperate for food
so we dived straight into our lunches. But that still wasn't time to go on the toboggan run.
We we had a group photo for our family's and friends back in England. After taking the
photo we all rushed to the toboggan run all eager to whizz down the 750m long run.
After using our two goes straight away we decided to spend our own money on having another
go on the run, which i thought was worth it!After all having an adrenaline rush on the
toboggan run,we slowly strolled to the Oeschinensee Lake which was an amazing sight!
Chris decided to say to us that we would get a badge if we swam in the freezing cold lake
but after half of us we in the lake he told us that we wouldn't get one ! :-(
But it was good fun !!
After some of us warmed ourselves up with an ice-cream, we slowly strolled back to the
town, trying to stop ourselves from running down the steep hill, we all got down safely.
When we got to the town there was no time to go back to the campsite, we had to go
straight to Des Alps restaurant to try some traditional Swiss Fondu.
And that was our last day of activities in Switzerland !
Yet another wonderful hike!
By Jed Mendez and Francis Beechinor-Collins
The Lotchenpass hike began with an early start, the instructor confusing the numbers as he believed Joe Armstrong was a girl. After collecting our two lunches, cheese proving to be a bad choice as it needs to last nearly 36 hours. We met our instructor, a young man, who urgently needed some Gillette and a razor. We then set off on our exciting excursion. Heading flat and then ascending high, we managed to see some very nice views before stopping for a picnic lunch outside a restaurant. Tired from the first climb, we were gob-smacked to hear that the hardest part was yet to come, we also accidentally broke a fence. As we continued to ascend two party members had to turn back. There was plenty of mourning for them as we ascended further. We finally reached the glacier after a heavy walk, walking through snow and ice. As we reached the final cliff face to climb a large cloud nearly forced us to turn away from the hut which was a mere 20 minutes away.
Deciding to risk our lives we chose to carry on, making it to the warm hut before we were engulfed by the raging mist. The hut was very different to the others and was professionally ran, rather than cooking for ourselves we feasted on veal, soup and pasta. The following morning we descended quickly, catching the 13:02 train back to Kandersteg town.
The Lotchenpass hike began with an early start, the instructor confusing the numbers as he believed Joe Armstrong was a girl. After collecting our two lunches, cheese proving to be a bad choice as it needs to last nearly 36 hours. We met our instructor, a young man, who urgently needed some Gillette and a razor. We then set off on our exciting excursion. Heading flat and then ascending high, we managed to see some very nice views before stopping for a picnic lunch outside a restaurant. Tired from the first climb, we were gob-smacked to hear that the hardest part was yet to come, we also accidentally broke a fence. As we continued to ascend two party members had to turn back. There was plenty of mourning for them as we ascended further. We finally reached the glacier after a heavy walk, walking through snow and ice. As we reached the final cliff face to climb a large cloud nearly forced us to turn away from the hut which was a mere 20 minutes away.
Deciding to risk our lives we chose to carry on, making it to the warm hut before we were engulfed by the raging mist. The hut was very different to the others and was professionally ran, rather than cooking for ourselves we feasted on veal, soup and pasta. The following morning we descended quickly, catching the 13:02 train back to Kandersteg town.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
End of a perfect day.
Supper was rosti and before campfire we take down the first of the tents.
Last day tomorrow and we'll be up at oeschinensee on the toboggan run and glacial lake.
See you all soon!
WHITE WATER RAFTING
By Cornelius Mendez and George Hixson
Hello Bloggers!
After the high ropes course the fifth set foot (on a coach) towards River Simme for an afternoon full of fun and excitement. Yes white water rafting. It began with us getting kitted up for the dangerous and exhilarating ride down stream. Tight fitting lycra wasn't the most appealing in the swiss sun (yes, sun). Chris Elmer was like a George Michael look a likey with the shades and the goatee ( we had to have faith on the river,get it).
Next there was a small safety talk and then with our adrenaline pumping we dived into the...boat and sped down the river.
The first ten minutes were fairly calm however we then hit a weir called “The Buckin' Bronco” and it was the highest dropper, of about a metre. We all survived just and stayed in the boat but this wasn't made easy by the splashing from other boats.
Although the water was only 8 degrees some were still brave enough to jump into the water intentionally (in most cases). We spent a thrilling hour and twenty minutes dodging rocks ad trees, going backwards down rapids and escaping eddies. We had a great day and it was one of the best so far. Tomorrow we shall swim in an alpine lake and ride the tobaggon.
Hello Bloggers!
After the high ropes course the fifth set foot (on a coach) towards River Simme for an afternoon full of fun and excitement. Yes white water rafting. It began with us getting kitted up for the dangerous and exhilarating ride down stream. Tight fitting lycra wasn't the most appealing in the swiss sun (yes, sun). Chris Elmer was like a George Michael look a likey with the shades and the goatee ( we had to have faith on the river,get it).
Next there was a small safety talk and then with our adrenaline pumping we dived into the...boat and sped down the river.
The first ten minutes were fairly calm however we then hit a weir called “The Buckin' Bronco” and it was the highest dropper, of about a metre. We all survived just and stayed in the boat but this wasn't made easy by the splashing from other boats.
Although the water was only 8 degrees some were still brave enough to jump into the water intentionally (in most cases). We spent a thrilling hour and twenty minutes dodging rocks ad trees, going backwards down rapids and escaping eddies. We had a great day and it was one of the best so far. Tomorrow we shall swim in an alpine lake and ride the tobaggon.
The High Ropes Course
By Ben McGuigan and John James Ward
We went to the high ropes course on Sunday the 3rd august 2008 we started off by getting on our harnesses and getting them checked then the guide showed us how to use the clips and pulley. We then had to do a demonstration. The guide repeated a number of times not to put the Carabiner the same ways around. People still did it wrong (Jed Mendez). We then had to go without a guide to The High Ropes Course. Many of us went on the green or brown course first (the easiest).
Others went straight onto the blue (which they were advised not to do). During the course there were not many casualties apart from Ryan Duggan who was hit on the head some how and rescued by a random man.
The hardest rope was the black one. The brown course was just zip wires the whole way down and the red , blue and black one all met at the same place and you had a long zip wire down. There were many different routes.
We went to the high ropes course on Sunday the 3rd august 2008 we started off by getting on our harnesses and getting them checked then the guide showed us how to use the clips and pulley. We then had to do a demonstration. The guide repeated a number of times not to put the Carabiner the same ways around. People still did it wrong (Jed Mendez). We then had to go without a guide to The High Ropes Course. Many of us went on the green or brown course first (the easiest).
Others went straight onto the blue (which they were advised not to do). During the course there were not many casualties apart from Ryan Duggan who was hit on the head some how and rescued by a random man.
The hardest rope was the black one. The brown course was just zip wires the whole way down and the red , blue and black one all met at the same place and you had a long zip wire down. There were many different routes.
Our first death. (well not quite)
One of our vital team of helpers seems to have died in the night. Mark harcombe's final words were a gently moaned 'jagermeister'.
We have left him in his tent and if not dead, it's possible that he might just be getting too old for the young lifestyle to which he still tragically seems to aspire.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
The Ueschinenhutte hike
By Edward Jones & Liam Edgeway
Day:1
We woke up on the 29th of July at 7:30am and went for breakfast and had frosties. Afterwards we made two lunches (one for today and tomorrow), we went back to camp and checked our bags for all the important equipment needed, afterwards we just had a bit of fun while we waited for the hike!
At 2:20pm we met Robert our guide but had to take our dinner with us in our bags (like meat, cheese, veg and peppers). At 2:30pm we set off for the hike, we firstly walked to the cable car and had a ride to the top of a mountain ( at roughly 1800m) and set off on foot.
We walked while taking pics of the views , it started spitting so we put our waterproofs on and then lighting struck. It started to hail and we hid under a tree with thunder coming down, dangerous! After getting soaked we decided to leg it! After 3 minutes of running we met a mud slide we couldn't cross it. So after an 1hour of trying to cross we had found a way to cross but it meant jumping over the mud slide!
After we had crossed a truck came to clear the path, a little to late. So then we just continued towards the hut soaked! We walked for about 1 mile till we saw our hut and we heard bells, cow bells. We walked up a steep hill to the hut, after 5 minutes we had reached our hut, phew. We took our boots off but we weren't allowed in, why?
We had to wait for them to clear up! But we finally got in and we got a tour of the hut, there were 3 bedrooms for us! But the toilet was a hole and next to it was a out of order toilet ( which actually flushed but was just for staff)! For dinner we had spaghetti and meat which Liam, Sam, Edward and Alex helped make it
(don't worry no one was sick!) then we went to bed.
Day 2: We woke up and had some frosties (again). Then we packed up and first watched the others go off to do rock climbing, but when we left we were trapped by the DANGEROUS cows! But we got through we traveled back to Kandersteg the signs said 2hours to get back but when we saw another sign and we realized we were 5 minutes quicker then expected! And we were heading the way the rock climbing people came up so it was a quicker route then the cable car!It was more adventurous with tree roots sticking out off the ground so it was harder.
We walked down hill for the last few minutes till we reached the field which was 5 minutes from the campsite at last our long hike/walk was over , can we do it again? NO ! Aw man!
Day:1
We woke up on the 29th of July at 7:30am and went for breakfast and had frosties. Afterwards we made two lunches (one for today and tomorrow), we went back to camp and checked our bags for all the important equipment needed, afterwards we just had a bit of fun while we waited for the hike!
At 2:20pm we met Robert our guide but had to take our dinner with us in our bags (like meat, cheese, veg and peppers). At 2:30pm we set off for the hike, we firstly walked to the cable car and had a ride to the top of a mountain ( at roughly 1800m) and set off on foot.
We walked while taking pics of the views , it started spitting so we put our waterproofs on and then lighting struck. It started to hail and we hid under a tree with thunder coming down, dangerous! After getting soaked we decided to leg it! After 3 minutes of running we met a mud slide we couldn't cross it. So after an 1hour of trying to cross we had found a way to cross but it meant jumping over the mud slide!
After we had crossed a truck came to clear the path, a little to late. So then we just continued towards the hut soaked! We walked for about 1 mile till we saw our hut and we heard bells, cow bells. We walked up a steep hill to the hut, after 5 minutes we had reached our hut, phew. We took our boots off but we weren't allowed in, why?
We had to wait for them to clear up! But we finally got in and we got a tour of the hut, there were 3 bedrooms for us! But the toilet was a hole and next to it was a out of order toilet ( which actually flushed but was just for staff)! For dinner we had spaghetti and meat which Liam, Sam, Edward and Alex helped make it
(don't worry no one was sick!) then we went to bed.
Day 2: We woke up and had some frosties (again). Then we packed up and first watched the others go off to do rock climbing, but when we left we were trapped by the DANGEROUS cows! But we got through we traveled back to Kandersteg the signs said 2hours to get back but when we saw another sign and we realized we were 5 minutes quicker then expected! And we were heading the way the rock climbing people came up so it was a quicker route then the cable car!It was more adventurous with tree roots sticking out off the ground so it was harder.
We walked down hill for the last few minutes till we reached the field which was 5 minutes from the campsite at last our long hike/walk was over , can we do it again? NO ! Aw man!
Friday, 1 August 2008
Campsite ceremony
And it's a hard, hard, HARD... Hard rain's a gonna fall.
Leaving for parade in a minute. It's raining. Lots. So so much.
Adults are singing edelweiss. We're not going near the kids. After half an hour together in the mess tent, they may have turned feral.
Carnival fancy dress
Thursday, 31 July 2008
We're back and we are blogging.
Campfire tonight was fantastic fun. Connie Mendez was (one of) the best acts with 'crazy moose' but ALL the scouts went up on stage to support.
Tomorrow is Swiss National Day. The webcams of the village might show some of the fun and games. We don't know what to expect but it does end with a parade by torchlight and fireworks. The rest? we'll see.
Back on the campsite tonight, all the scouts are back from their walks. All safe and sound. (Apart from Mike Mcguigan... see earlier post and Tom King... ditto). Apart from the occasional graze, scrape or sore ankle from the hikes. All are in fine fettle and after the campfire... slightly hoarse.
Anthony Chrumka will also be blogging i think so see if you can spot the difference in styles.
Hopefully we'll have some more kid blogs tmrw.
Tomorrow is Swiss National Day. The webcams of the village might show some of the fun and games. We don't know what to expect but it does end with a parade by torchlight and fireworks. The rest? we'll see.
Back on the campsite tonight, all the scouts are back from their walks. All safe and sound. (Apart from Mike Mcguigan... see earlier post and Tom King... ditto). Apart from the occasional graze, scrape or sore ankle from the hikes. All are in fine fettle and after the campfire... slightly hoarse.
Anthony Chrumka will also be blogging i think so see if you can spot the difference in styles.
Hopefully we'll have some more kid blogs tmrw.
The rock climb hike
by Robert Watson and Michael Kaczmarczyk
On the 29th of July a group of 12 of us left the main chalet to hike up to the Scout centre's hut which is hard to spell. Our guide was a funny Danish guy called Carston and he couldn't pronounce r's( Wobert and Womain up the fwont pwease) . He made us pack supplies in our bags for dinner like half-defrosted beef, cucumbers, apples and a massive slab of cheese. We then had to split into 2 groups because of stupid UK regulations and then we left.
*(Edit from Chris! Please note our adherence to the rules and regs!)
The first part of the hike was walking across open ground but then we got to the forest and the terrain got really steep but Carston wasn't even out of breath. We climbed through the forest for about a mile. We then got to a road and stopped for a two-minute break. We then carried on walking through a forest and stopped at the top for another break. It just got boring now because we just kept climbing and taking breaks.
Finally we emerged at the bottom of the valley. We took another break and guess what it started to rain. And rain. And rain. And then there was thunder and lightning which kept getting louder and closer. During this it stopped raining and started hailing. By the time it stopped the ground was soaked and we were too!
A bit later we went onto a road and guess what we found further up...
In front of us was a raging mud slide/river blocking our path ( We are not exaggerating)
we sat there for about an hour, and when we asked our “guide” he told us that he had never seen this before. The first across was Nick after he walked quite a way up stream followed by Mark Kaczmarczyk and Ben. By now we had waited so long that the other hike had caught up with us.
Eventually the river died down so we could cross and we carried on walking for another 2 hours (that was hard).
The hut seemed really old. There was a flushing toilet but it was “out of order”so we had to use a hole in the ground, but at least we had a good nights sleep on the foam mattresses.
The next day we climbed up some rocks and the walls were really hard, but we climbed most of them. The highest rock we climbed was nearly 15 metres high. After we had finished climbing, we started the back and it started to rain again. Just as we were nearly there, Michael McGuigan slipped on a wet rock and rolled down a hill. He could of died! (Edit from Chris: Look, I'm not changing their English but I will point out the errors to them in the morning)
We arrived back at the centre and got some badges. After this we went swimming YEAY!!!
On the 29th of July a group of 12 of us left the main chalet to hike up to the Scout centre's hut which is hard to spell. Our guide was a funny Danish guy called Carston and he couldn't pronounce r's( Wobert and Womain up the fwont pwease) . He made us pack supplies in our bags for dinner like half-defrosted beef, cucumbers, apples and a massive slab of cheese. We then had to split into 2 groups because of stupid UK regulations and then we left.
*(Edit from Chris! Please note our adherence to the rules and regs!)
The first part of the hike was walking across open ground but then we got to the forest and the terrain got really steep but Carston wasn't even out of breath. We climbed through the forest for about a mile. We then got to a road and stopped for a two-minute break. We then carried on walking through a forest and stopped at the top for another break. It just got boring now because we just kept climbing and taking breaks.
Finally we emerged at the bottom of the valley. We took another break and guess what it started to rain. And rain. And rain. And then there was thunder and lightning which kept getting louder and closer. During this it stopped raining and started hailing. By the time it stopped the ground was soaked and we were too!
A bit later we went onto a road and guess what we found further up...
In front of us was a raging mud slide/river blocking our path ( We are not exaggerating)
we sat there for about an hour, and when we asked our “guide” he told us that he had never seen this before. The first across was Nick after he walked quite a way up stream followed by Mark Kaczmarczyk and Ben. By now we had waited so long that the other hike had caught up with us.
Eventually the river died down so we could cross and we carried on walking for another 2 hours (that was hard).
The hut seemed really old. There was a flushing toilet but it was “out of order”so we had to use a hole in the ground, but at least we had a good nights sleep on the foam mattresses.
The next day we climbed up some rocks and the walls were really hard, but we climbed most of them. The highest rock we climbed was nearly 15 metres high. After we had finished climbing, we started the back and it started to rain again. Just as we were nearly there, Michael McGuigan slipped on a wet rock and rolled down a hill. He could of died! (Edit from Chris: Look, I'm not changing their English but I will point out the errors to them in the morning)
We arrived back at the centre and got some badges. After this we went swimming YEAY!!!
The Snow and Ice Combo
By Mark Kelleher, Oliver Colville and Albert Gora
After an early start (6 am), and a sufficient amount of breakfast, the staggering ascent of 1,300 metres was nearly upon us. The group of twelve were split into two teams which set off at a ten minute interval (in line with UK Scout Association regulations). We boarded our chairlift, which assisted us in the shallowest climb towards Lake Oeschinensee.
Ironically, we began our venture with a short downhill stroll; this lured us into a false sense of security. We approached the sign which directed us to our summit, which was at the time out of our view.
After walking for half an hour we thought we were now starting to see the worst of our journey; boy, were we wrong?!
Finally, we reached the half way rock where the two teams stopped to mingle with one another and where each individual refueled for the hard part of the journey- a steep climb of nearly 1 km (far worse than that of Westerham Hill!)
The hike only got harder on the way to the summit. The path that we took was treacherous and was constantly zig-zagging. If anyone had put one foot wrong they would have fallen to certain death.
Finally, the hut was in sight; we only had an enormous cliff to conquer. The team of leaders and explorers were now knackered and having to stop for frequent water breaks (at 11am!).
The teams reached the summit, welcomed by bottles of water costing £6 each. If one was to drink the gallons of water surrounding the hut they would have had the pleasure of their esophagus shredded apart by tiny fragments of rock particulate.
After a very rewarding sleep, we woke up the following morning 'full of life' – so to speak. But to our surprise, we opened the curtains and discovered the horrendous weather that was upon us. At first, we figured the fun morning activities were to be postponed until the bad weather had passed. Fortunately we were incorrect. The bad weather ceased and we proceeded onto the glacier as scheduled. The morning activities began with us learning how to execute rescue procedures in the event of someone falling down a wet glacier. In order to do so, we needed to harness up and attach crampons to our feet.
We were also provided with ice axes, which we were taught how use in the event of an emergency.
During our two sessions on the glacier we climbed up ice walls, climbed down crevasses and performed a series of emergency rescue drills.
The only item that ended up having to be rescued was a camera dropped by a scout group in the previous week (besides a team member who fell through insecure snow and fell head first down a crevasse whilst distracted).
After a lunch break we headed back down the mountain at a faster pace than that of which we ascended. On the way down a team member fell and sprained his ankle, a helicopter was not required on this occasion and he managed to carry on.
On the descent the heavens opened and we were caught in an enormous electrical storm; we narrowly avoided a huge rock fall. The storm was over before long and we headed back down the cable car to the village of Kandersteg.
All who were on the trip believe that they have had an absolutely brilliant experience and most people are now looking forward to the next opportunity to partake in such an expedition.
All who were on the expedition send their thanks to Andrew and Jasper, the two very knowledgeable mountain leaders.
After an early start (6 am), and a sufficient amount of breakfast, the staggering ascent of 1,300 metres was nearly upon us. The group of twelve were split into two teams which set off at a ten minute interval (in line with UK Scout Association regulations). We boarded our chairlift, which assisted us in the shallowest climb towards Lake Oeschinensee.
Ironically, we began our venture with a short downhill stroll; this lured us into a false sense of security. We approached the sign which directed us to our summit, which was at the time out of our view.
After walking for half an hour we thought we were now starting to see the worst of our journey; boy, were we wrong?!
Finally, we reached the half way rock where the two teams stopped to mingle with one another and where each individual refueled for the hard part of the journey- a steep climb of nearly 1 km (far worse than that of Westerham Hill!)
The hike only got harder on the way to the summit. The path that we took was treacherous and was constantly zig-zagging. If anyone had put one foot wrong they would have fallen to certain death.
Finally, the hut was in sight; we only had an enormous cliff to conquer. The team of leaders and explorers were now knackered and having to stop for frequent water breaks (at 11am!).
The teams reached the summit, welcomed by bottles of water costing £6 each. If one was to drink the gallons of water surrounding the hut they would have had the pleasure of their esophagus shredded apart by tiny fragments of rock particulate.
After a very rewarding sleep, we woke up the following morning 'full of life' – so to speak. But to our surprise, we opened the curtains and discovered the horrendous weather that was upon us. At first, we figured the fun morning activities were to be postponed until the bad weather had passed. Fortunately we were incorrect. The bad weather ceased and we proceeded onto the glacier as scheduled. The morning activities began with us learning how to execute rescue procedures in the event of someone falling down a wet glacier. In order to do so, we needed to harness up and attach crampons to our feet.
We were also provided with ice axes, which we were taught how use in the event of an emergency.
During our two sessions on the glacier we climbed up ice walls, climbed down crevasses and performed a series of emergency rescue drills.
The only item that ended up having to be rescued was a camera dropped by a scout group in the previous week (besides a team member who fell through insecure snow and fell head first down a crevasse whilst distracted).
After a lunch break we headed back down the mountain at a faster pace than that of which we ascended. On the way down a team member fell and sprained his ankle, a helicopter was not required on this occasion and he managed to carry on.
On the descent the heavens opened and we were caught in an enormous electrical storm; we narrowly avoided a huge rock fall. The storm was over before long and we headed back down the cable car to the village of Kandersteg.
All who were on the trip believe that they have had an absolutely brilliant experience and most people are now looking forward to the next opportunity to partake in such an expedition.
All who were on the expedition send their thanks to Andrew and Jasper, the two very knowledgeable mountain leaders.
Hospital trip number two!
Yes. You may laugh.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
No blog today.
Thre's v little signal up here. So just to say all well. We'll blog tmrw evening with lots of hike reports.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
End of the night. And poss no blogging tomorrow.
2 groups are up in the mountains tonight. The snow and icers came back safe and sound and with LOADS of stories. Mostly involving chris lambeth slipping, tripping and falling.
Tomorrow two more go up to the huts for a night. Despite downpours, our timetable has remained solid and we've yet to rearrange a day (as we'd expected).
Tom King's chin is fine and he's had a chat with his mum and dad. It hurts to talk but tom seems to be a trooper and is not letting that stop him.
To parents: Messages about rabbits, dogs and all sorts have all been passed on.
TMRW i'm up in the mountains and we will not do a day blog until Thursday. I hope I'll keep you updated on our trip but it is dependant on a signal. Don't panic if you don't hear from us.
Our first trip to hospital!
Day 3
CHOC AND CHEESE
chocolate tour written by Tom Armstrong
we had to get up at about 6:00
so so tired.
but the good thing was we didn't have to wait for breakfast.
coco pops and hot chocolate before the chocolate tour wasn't the best idea
it went down well though,
until we had the samples but I will get to that bit later.
we got on the coach about 8:00 but only left at 8:30
(I slept all the way, Tom.)
for everyone else it was a long and boring journey.
we finally got to the factory at about 10:30 to 11:00.
the first thing you smelt was the best smell in the world ever
chocolate loverly loverly chocolate.
the first room was like a cinema with really old chocolate ad's,
the seats were really comfy though.
the next room had all the ingredients and a woman told us how the chocolate was made
it was interesting but the smell sort of put me off thinking.
we got to try coco beans, coco butter, almonds and hazelnuts.
The next room was small but you got to smell different types of chocolate ingredients and the chocolate itself.
the next room was full of little videos on the floor and walls
it also had lots of CCTV videos of people making the chocolate in the factory.
Now to the sampling
there were so many samples
as much as you wanted, so me being me I had 2 of every one
a lot of the scouts after that room felt ill and 1 scout was sick later
back to the samples
it went from milk chocolate to fancy mixes of chocolate to white chocolate to dark chocolate to nutty chocolate
even chocolate with honey in it.
Then we watch them actually make it, there were a lot of different machines and gizmos
like churners, mixers and many more.
The next room and the second to last room was full of old machines and mechanisms
there were mixers made from stone and copper,
a wrapping machine,
a machine that I think chopped up the chocolate
and some more little machines
the final and second best room was the shop
just chocolate
it was cheapish
still quite a lot of money
but it was better priced than in england
tom was here 2008
cheese tour (Sean Hubbard's bit)
we left the chocolate factory and got on the coach we went to the French part of Switzerland and stopped in a village for an hour. That was where the scout was sick. Anyway onto the cheese tour. We walked down to the factory and went in. We were given a voice guide(like a headset without the headphones). We had to press buttons from 1-16 depending on where we were. On one part we could smell different types of grass that the cows ate. In one section we looked down on the people making the cheese. In that same bit there was a question and answer quiz. We walked out and handed in our voice guides. Some people went into the shop. I went and saw the cellar and then I went to the cafe and got a lemonade, I drunk it and then it was time to go and that brings us up to now.
That's what happened today!!
gruyere
(he's better now and no, I won't tell you who it was... You'll only worry!)
Hard hard work.
Free chocolate room!
Monday, 28 July 2008
Sorry. No kid blog tonight.
We packed them off to bed early and to v little protest. They were all dead tired. The English stall was a succes. And we have lots of pimms left over.
Liz, jan and helen say this was an accident. They also want to know where to buy ice for their new tipple.
This is similar to the sweet stall where an innocent looking set of explorers seemed amazed that there were sweets left over and wondered how to get rid of them.
All is going very well. While the snow n ice people do another day up on the glacier tmrw before coming down in the evening, 2 groups will be setting off on their overnight hikes tmrw afternoon. The rest of us will be doing the chocolate and cheese tour to broc and gruyere. Mmmmmmmmm. (you can see what your kids are up to day by day on the kandersteg site we set up)
Visiting town.
Peace.
Don't panic. Please. We have highly qualified guides and excellent leaders. (and it's only for the older ones!)
This is the thrill seeking that alton towers can only wish for.. But for now... They're asleep. I've got a coffee and the sun is rising gradually and sunning the far peaks. We won't feel its warmth for a few hours yet in the bottom of the valley.
The rest of the sleepy scouts will be crate stacking, playing on jacobs ladder and taking part in a service project for the site.
Oh. And nipping into town for a swiss army knife. The deal there is that they learn to use them properl in a lesson delivered by our leaders. They make excelent souvenirs and they all seem to want one. MUCH better than 50 quids worth of chocolate.
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