Trekking, 'Viking Trail', Norway, Aug 2011, ID 1020

Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing

Cadets from South East Scotland Wing and West Scotland Wing travelled to Norway, as part of the 70th Anniversary of the Air Training Corps. The goal of the expedition was for cadets to complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition.

On Tuesday 2 April cadets met at 870 (Dreghorn) Sqn before departing on Wednesday 3 April for their flights to Norway via Netherlands. A total of four adults and fourteen cadets were involved in the expedition with all fourteen cadets successfully completing their Gold DOE Expedition. On arrival they were transported to the Joint Services Training Centre (JSTC) Evjemoen. The centre is run by Mr Brian Desmond who has worked for the BBC and Ray Mears on the Real Heroes of the Telemark. Mr Desmond’s knowledge would also help the cadets who were investigating the differences between Scotland and Norway during World War Two as part of their project work.

The expedition started at 900 metres heading towards Oyuvsbu and for the next two and half days the route would lose very little height was lost as they walked towards Oyrik near the Fjord where they would change over to open boat canoes. During the trek the cadets experienced some extreme weather conditions, having to hade across some rivers with the staff on hand to give assistance if needed. Due to the heavy rain most of the route was marshy and nobody had dry feet. On the final day of trekking the weather improved dramatically giving the team the opportunity to dry equipment and look forward to the open canoes.

On completion of the trekking the team had a couple of hours to prepare for the canoeing expedition down the Norwegian Fjords. For the next three days the mode of transport was open canoes and the term portage came be hated by the expedition: canoes had to be carried around parts of the Fjords and rivers that were not navigable. The canoe phase started in bright sunshine at our first camp site at the foot of a magnificent waterfall in Ose, but by the end of our stay we were looking at a way to switch it off because of the noise.

Our trip continued down the Fjord but the weather once again turned bad. The plan for the evening was to use bivvies was cut short so that the team could return to the JSTC. The centre allowed all the clothes and equipment to dry out before our final day in the canoes. On the last day on the river there was a few waterfalls where the canoes had to be carried or portaged. This was hard work due to weight of the canoes and it was very much a team effort to move all ten canoes. The weather on this day had improved with only small patches of rain. The canoeing expedition finished at JSTC where we were greeted with a warm meal by Mr Desmond. Later that evening a presentation was given to the staff on the team’s adventures as part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, and we were then informed that we had all met the requirements.

Our final day in Norway was spent undertaking some more adventurous activities, including white water rafting down the River Otri, followed by mountain biking and a high ropes course. Our final night in the centre incorporated a barbecue before we left at 0300 hrs for our trip back to Edinburgh. 

The 14 cadets who successfully achieved their Gold DOE Expedition would like to thank the Ulysses Trust and the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for their generous support in helping them take part in such an interesting and challenging expedition.

Some comments from the cadets :-
   The week was a one-off and truly amazing experience, which challenged us to the limits, improved our friendships and is something to remember, Cdt Jordan Wardrope. 
   Overall the week was a great experience and I have ;learned many skills in which I can take back with me and use. I would like to thank the staff and Brian and Ned for the experience that will stay with me forever, Cdt David Flemming. 
   Overall the week was fantastic experience for all. Not just for memories but valuable knowledge to be used in the future, Cdt Ronan Nicol.

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