Ski Touring,'Viking Ski', Hardangarvidda, Norway,
Apr 2011, id 1042
Morrison’s Academy CCF
Under the watchful eye of our
Contingent Officers, Major Patchett, Captain Willmore and Lieutenant Macgregor,
we loaded up the coach with our kit for the first leg of our journey to
Edinburgh Airport on the early evening of Monday 4 April. We were about to
embark on what was described as a tough, challenging expedition to the
Hardangarvidda plateau in Southern Norway. Prior to setting off Captain Willmore,
the Expedition Leader, had a quiet word with Paul Phillips, Marcus Reid and
Patrick Bowtle, explaining that he expected them to provide a great deal of
assistance to the other team members due to their experience gained on the
previous year’s expedition.
Fortunately our journey via Oslo to
Haugastol, our expedition base, went to plan and we arrived very early on the
Tuesday morning. Heads were soon resting on the pillows in our very comfortable
rooms in our mountain hotel. A late start began with Captain Willmore, Paul,
Marcus and Patrick heading out into the snow to prepare technique tracks for the
novice members of the team. Meanwhile Major Patchett and Lieutenant Macgregor
issued the skis, boots and poles. Once fitted, we headed out to the technique
tracks that had already been prepared by Captain Willmore and the experienced
skiers. It was at this time that we realised that being late would make us very
fit as Captain Willmore dished out press-ups like we were at a keep fit seminar!
Once late, never again! After learning the technique of travelling across snow
on skis, the group went off for our first short tour, incorporating skills such
as turning, pole planting, stopping and hill climbing. The short day outside
ended in a team photograph taken by our resident professional Major Patchett who
in the evening gave us the first of several interest talks about ski-ing,
mountaineering and military life.
The following morning, after a hearty
breakfast, back on the technique tracks we consolidated what we had been taught
on the first day. Another short tour followed, with a couple of hill climbs
using the herringbone and side step method and once at the top we all had to
come back down. Easier said than done and quite a number of quite large pot
holes appeared in the snow! In particular Cameron Menzies-Runciman, Matthew Tait
and Paul Phillips made holes so large they had to be dug out. The female members
of the team, Charlotte Pritchard, Katie Hiscocks and Hannah Gauld were really
holding their own against the guys and all three showed a great deal of
determination and guts. After lunch Major Patchett instructed us on the digging
of snow holes and under the direction of Marcus and Patrick the group were split
into two teams and a snow hole competition began. Marcus and his team came first
with Patrick’s team a very close second!
The weather was starting to change for
the worse as we left the accommodation on the Thursday morning. After a very
short tour Captain Willmore found an interesting slope for us to ski down. There
were many falls and unfortunately Cameron Menzies-Runciman had a particularly
awkward fall, going uphill I might add, and was unable to continue, so Captain
Willmore accompanied him back to the hotel. Major Patchett took the remainder of
the group on a longer way home. Returning to the hotel was a good call as the
weather turned for the worse, with the wind gusting to 60 mph. Sadly the
atrocious conditions were to remain for the next 36 hours.
On the Friday we awoke to continuing
high winds and bad weather so the decision was made that Major Patchett would
give another lecture in the morning and that we would go on our trip to the spa
hotel and pizza restaurant in Geilo, normally saved for the last day. Suffice to
say an excellent afternoon was had by all.
Saturday we had planned to ski to a
mountain hut and fortunately the weather had changed. It was an excellent day
all round. The tour, which should not be under estimated for its challenge, and
especially knowing how little ski touring experience most of the group had, was
enjoyed by all. Those who completed it, Marcus Reid, Patrick Bowtle, Chris
Warden, Matthew Tait, Cameron Turner, Sam Dillon, Oliver Forde, Paul Phillips,
Charlotte Pritchard, Katie Hiscocks and Hannah Gauld really do deserve a pat on
the back for a great effort.
Following supper that evening, it wasn’t
long before all were tucked up in bed!
Sadly our last day on the snow had
arrived and our final tour on the Sunday had us skiing over a very large frozen
lake where we met up with other skiers heading for various mountain huts
scattered across the Hardangarvidda plateau. We enjoyed meeting other groups as
most Scandinavians speak perfect English. After another enjoyable tour we were
met by Terje Kaupang, our hotel’s owner, in his trusty coach and we returned
to the hotel. In the afternoon Captain Willmore led us around a circuit in order
to make the track we were going to race around. Individuals were set off at
minute intervals. After a great deal of effort by all, the fastest time, by a
good margin, was set by Matthew and for the girls Charlotte came home in a
blistering time! Suitably shattered we all retired back to the hotel to begin
the task of preparing our skis and accessories for hand over and our own kit for
our trip home to Crieff, which went off without a hitch on the following day
On the achievement side it was good to
see that most of the twelve cadets had put themselves in the right physical and
mental state in preparation for some strenuous days. Those who did not prepare
themselves sufficiently inevitably gained less from the experience. It was also
gratifying to receive compliments on in-house behavior, especially from other UK
visitors. Some cadets showed remarkable resilience in attempting to rewrite the
laws of physics, particularly gravity, and others came up smiling from some
deep, wet snow tumbles.
This year the weather was hugely varied
with everything from gales, snowstorms and rain to blazing sunshine. By changing
round the programme we managed to fit in some fine days out on the hills,
including a new route, for us, back from the Hardangarvidda. The traditional end
of course outing to Geilo happened earlier than usual and we skied hard up to
and including the last day. Traditional events such as the snow hole building
competition and final race were subject to ever evolving rules to test
initiative. Lectures ranged from safety in the snow to trekking and climbing in
Ladakh, Nepal and the USA. For the third time we happened to have Hannah McKeand
also staying at Haugastol and for the third time she gave us a very
inspirational talk on her polar travels. Hopefully those who have learned the
skills of "skinny" ski-ing in Norway will be keen to carry on this
sport in the future and maybe even get out to enjoy the winter hills of Scotland
in the same way.
The trip would not have been possible
without the leadership, instruction and organisation of our Contingent Officers,
Major Patchett, Captain Willmore and Lieutenant Macgregor. We should also
mention Terje and Elborg Kaupang, the hotel owners who pull out all the stops
when it comes to offering advice and assistance, especially the "fast
balls" we throw their way asking for transport and meals at short notice.
However, the Expedition would not take
place but for the generosity and tremendous financial support from the Ulysses
Trust, the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and the Army in
Scotland Trust. We really do appreciate the opportunity of taking part in such
an exciting and challenging expedition. We would like to take this opportunity
to thank all of the individuals and committees involved and reassure them that
we really do appreciate your help and all the hard work you do for us and
others.
Thanks to
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