Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales

Ulysses Trust - Expedition Reports

Home About Us Grant Application Fund Raising Expedition reports Contact Us

Trekking, 'Cadet 150 Lesotho', Lesotho, Jul 2010, ID 920

HQ LF Cadets

Introduction

On 25 July 2010, 59 cadets from the three services, accompanied by 10 adult staff, a doctor and a Media Ops man, set out for Lesotho on a major adventurous training exercise as part of the Cadet 150 celebrations, returning home on 18 August. The expedition provided a challenging and life-enriching opportunity for Cadets from across the United Kingdom. The cadets would have to live and trek in a harsh environment as well as undertake community projects funded by the Sentebale Trust.

Expedition Outline

Expedition Patron. Prince Harry was Patron of the expedition. He visited the cadets on their final training event in May and spent several hours talking to them.

Pre-expedition training and administration. Outposts Ltd was responsible for all of the logistical planning for the expedition, selection and training events. They were also responsible for the liaison with the Sentebale Trust. The pre-deployment meeting of the expedition took place at Uxbridge on 25 July.

Travel to South Africa. The expedition flew from Heathrow to Johannesburg on 26 July. On arrival coaches were used to travel to Emseni.

Acclimatisation Training Phase. Once in Emseni acclimatisation training allowed expedition members to learn to live and trek in the bush plus adjust to the altitude and climate. The programme included emergency procedures, physical fitness training, trekking and attending an Environmental Awareness Course at Weenen Game reserve.

Deployment. The teams deployed into Lesotho on 2 August. Divided into four teams, they were allocated to Semonkong, Mokhotlong and Pitseng to provide support to Sentebale during the community project phase and then to conduct the adventurous training phase.

Community Project Phase. Each team undertook up 5 days of community project work. This phase was used as additional acclimatisation to altitude. On the whole the projects were demanding in terms of physical effort. Those running the local charities did not expect the work to be completed to any great standard and were surprised when they saw the quality and quantity of the work undertaken. The summaries of the project work undertaken are given below.

Adventurous Training Phase. Following acclimatization at least 5 days were given over to trekking and in the case of the Semonkong teams, the longest abseil in the world.

R&R Phase. This was based at Elandsheim from late on the 14-17 August. One day was spent visiting the battlefield of Isandlwana and included a trek to the top of Isandlwana peak followed by a trek along the Fugitives’ Trail and a crossing of the Fugitives’ Drift. The following day was spent at Rorke’s Drift. The remaining time was spent packing for the return home and preparing team presentations for the final night. The final evening was spent being entertained by a traditional South African braai or barbeque and a very entertaining Beggar’s Opera put on by each team.

Team Activity Summaries

Teams 1 and 3 based at Semonkong. Team 1 was based at the Methodist Children’s Centre where 6 bedroom ceilings were replaced and extensive redecoration carried out. Team 3 faced a mammoth task at St Leonard’s Roman Catholic Mission, which was run by Roman Catholic nuns, and were assisted by Team 1. The task included painting a corrugated iron roof, which was the size of a tennis court, repairing and repainting the walls of the same building as well as decorating two dormitories. Fortunately, the 2" brushes which were supplied initially were replaced by 4" ones! A new bridge was also constructed, linking two buildings, which called for a substantial amount of stone scoured from the surrounding area. Both teams undertook additional training and succeeded in completing the Maletsanyana Falls 204m abseil, day treks and a 3 day backpacking expedition ascending 3,100m peaks. Overnight temperatures dropped to -12oC. The final night for both teams was spent at Semonkong Lodge.

Team 2 based in Mokhotlong. Team 2 worked with the Touching Tiny Lives Centre. They created a mural advertising the project, a tyre-walled play-garden and dug over a large vegetable garden. Several day treks were undertaken prior to a 3 day trek up Thabana Ntlenyanana 3,482m, the highest peak south of Kilimanjaro, during which they endured temperatures as low as -15oC at night.

Team 4 based in Pitseng. Team 4 worked at the Rainbow Project, which is an orphanage for disabled children in Pitseng, and was accommodated in a bunkhouse nearby. This project was a high profile project that was visited by Prince Seeiso, high level government ministers and made national television. A wheel chair ramp for disabled children was designed and constructed, school lessons delivered on a wide variety of topics from English and Maths to Sex Education plus the cooking of meals. Team 4 also undertook several day treks and a 3 day high level backpacking expedition all based from the Pitseng Outward Bound School.

Summary

C150 Lesotho Expedition was undoubtedly a successful expedition; all participants gained very worthwhile experiences many of which may well have been life changing. Certainly no one could have failed to have been affected by the conditions we met during the community projects. .

Outposts Ltd were the expedition ‘outfitters’. This expedition was a very complicated one in terms of the logistics required to have four teams operating independently in widely spread locations in a country the size of Wales. In this instance using an outfitter to undertake nearly all of the in-country planning and preparation was acceptable and serious consideration must be given to using them again if such an involved trip is undertaken.

Thanks to
working in partnership with
 
[ Contacts ]   Registered Charity Number: 1012346.   Copyright © Ulysses Trust 2003 - 2024.   Last updated 07/11/2011

Cadet 150 Lesotho/Prince Harry meets some of the expedition members during the final training event in South Wales. Cadet 150 Lesotho/Prince Harry meets some of the expedition members during the final training event in South Wales. Cadet 150 Lesotho/Team 2 on the summit of Thabana Ntlenyana 3,982m. Cadet 150 Lesotho/Team 3 near their first camp above Semonkong Cadet 150 Lesotho/Typical trekking terrain in Lesotho Cadet 150 Lesotho/Trekking below the Maletsanyana Falls