For our 6th annual visit to the Alps with the 1034 (Surbiton) Squadron Air Training Corps, we chose to go again to Bonatchiesse in the Val de Bagnes in the Valais Alps. We have been before in 2010 and 2011 and were once again welcomed by Thierry and Vera who own the Café de la Promenade and manage the Camping Forêt des Mélèzes.

On the first day we undertook a walk from the campsite up the side of the valley, returning to Fionnay further down the valley. A highlight of the day was watching an eagle soaring overhead not far from us.

The following day was the start of our first overnight expedition to the Cabane de Panoissiere and the Corbassiere Glacier. After a long day we reached the hut and then went down to look at the glacier. It was clear the opportunity to see a glacier close up was one of the highlights of the whole week. This year the snow has stayed later than usual and after the night in the hut we returned via a lower level route over the magnificent 190m long and 70m high Corbassiere Suspension bridge over the snout of the glacier.

We had a day off taking the bus down the valley and the lift to Verbier. The following day we took the opportunity to visit the Mauvoisin Dam, one of a number of significant dams supporting the Swiss hydroelectric scheme.

On the Friday we again had a challenging walk, going up high before descending to the Cabane de Louvie. This was a walk that had been done in a previous year but this time there was still a significant amount of snow around, slowing progress. Each of the snow filled gullies had to be assessed and a route determined. We arrived at the hut after a 8¾ hour walk – a long day.

The following day was our last and we arrived back at the campsite for a quick lunch and pack and caught the bus at the start of the journey back to the UK.

We enjoyed good weather for the whole week and the cadets all rose to the challenges set them despite some difficult snow conditions, steep ascents and long days. We saw chamois, marmots and eagles. It was also good to see the flower gagea serotina – better known in the UK as the Snowdon Lilly.

The cadets enjoyed the experience with comments such as

• My week in the Swiss Alps was very enjoyable, each day was different and very interesting
• I enjoyed being able to walk in a new environment with new challenges
• I have learnt how far I can push myself
• I enjoyed the snow walking, the huts and the glacier
• I enjoyed the walking because of the amazing views

The camp was quite a challenge for the cadets, living in a different culture, walks with typically 1000 metres of ascent, different food and dealing with the basics of the alpine huts.

I would like to thank the other staff members, June and John and all the cadets, Jo, Georgina, Rachel, George, Kacper and Dilan for making it such a good trip. I would also like to thank the Ulysses Trust, Headquarters Air Cadets and the 1034 (Surbiton) Squadron ATC staff and committee who supported us.

Merlin Hibbs - Expedition Leader