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Ulysses Trust Expedition - Alps

Trekking, 'Alps', Switzerland - Valais, Jul 2011, ID 1165

1034 (Surbiton) Squadron ATC

The Expedition took place high up in the Val de Bagnes in the Valais region of Switzerland. The party consisted of two members of staff and three cadets who flew out to Geneva, together with another two members of staff who drove to Switzerland with the camping gear. The purpose of the Expedition was to give cadets exposure to a range of experiences including walking at high altitude, seeing alpine flora and fauna, visiting glaciers and staying in alpine huts all within a foreign country.

After flying to Geneva, catching two trains and a bus, the cadets arrived at the campsite at Bonatchiesse. Although the journey involved a number of stages, the Swiss transport system is very efficient and all went to plan. The campsite was sparsely populated among the pine trees with views up to some of the closer peaks. There was a real feeling of being among the high mountains.

The first day’s activity was an acclimatisation walk with a climb of about 1000 metres from the valley floor. Because of the altitude, the walk was harder than similar walks in the UK but the cadets soon got into it. There were a number of other differences including the steepness of the paths, the inspiring views and the wild flowers.

The following day saw the group undertake a walk on the south west side of the valley and the opportunity to see the Grand Combin mountain and its glaciers. After a late start, we walked down to Fionnay and then ascended the long path to the Panossiere Hut where we stayed overnight. On the way up we were able to see the Corbassière Glacier and a number of its feeder glaciers. The glacier moves at about 50m per year and we took the opportunity to go down to the side of the glacier to better appreciate its scale. The hut was short on luxuries and had no hot water or showers. However the accommodation was adequate and the food good and plentiful. The following day we ascended to the Col des Otanes (2880m) before descending the steep path to Bonatchiesse. There was only the odd snow patch in the Col which suggested spring had come earlier this year.

Thursday dawned cloudy and foggy but dry. All day the fog did not lift and the Chanrion Hut just appeared out of the mist. The hut was again short on luxuries including this time the tap water being undrinkable. The following morning the fog had lifted and we were treated to the tremendous views toward the mountains and glaciers of the Grand Combin, and later to the Glacier du Giétro from high up on the West side of the Lac de Mauvoisin.

During the week we saw many wild flowers, chamois, marmots and eagles as well as many insects and beetles.

The group worked well together. There was a good range of skills and experience from the staff, together with a group of interested cadets of similar walking ability. The food for the expedition was bought in the UK, France and Switzerland and was generally popular (this time they liked the occasional lunch of Scottish oatcakes with ‘toothpaste cheese’).

The cadets had a great experience, one saying, “I found my time in the Swiss Alps with the Squadron one of the most memorable, with breath-taking views and amazing physical and mental challenges. I would definitely rate this the one of the best opportunities that the ATC has to offer.”

Another said, “I found the Alps expedition really broadened my experience of mountain-walking as many aspects such as altitude, mountain huts, and fixed equipment represent a significant difference from walking in the UK. Some of the days were long and involved considerable amounts of ascent which, in hot weather and higher altitude turned out to be quite tiring. These made days feel like more of an achievement than perhaps a similar UK day would have felt! It was also great to be based in a place with different culture, language and food.”

The Expedition was once again led by Merlin Hibbs, the Squadron’s International Mountain Leader, supported by two Mountain Leaders from the Squadron. This was the second overseas expedition for 1034 Squadron and plans are developing for next year – but to a different location.

Our thanks go to the Squadron CO and Committee, Headquarters Air Cadets and to the Ulysses Trust and the RAF Charitable Trust who made this Expedition possible.

For further information please contact Merlin Hibbs (merlin@hibbs.org.uk)

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Alps/ Alps/Grand Combin in the background Alps/