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Canada 2012

Preamble

West Lancs Scouts Mountaineering Group has a reputation for running world-class trips and expeditions; from the bi-annual Alpine trips starting in Austria in 1999, to the Greenland expeditions in 2004 and 2007, and the Dolomites in 2009. As a County we strive to develop our young people and leaders; both in technical mountaineering skills, and in personal development. The Canadian Rockies is a fantastic destination; home to an enormous range of different environments, playing host to a number of different activities, and offering us many different experiences over our three week trip as we move from Calgary to Vancouver through the heart of the Rockies.

The Plan

The plan is to spend three separate weeks in three different locations in the Rocky Mountains to the West of Calgary: Banff National Park; the Central Ranges; and Whistler/Squamish. Each location will have a different feel, however the activities will be progressive over the three weeks. Due to the linear nature of the trip, we will not be able to offer all activities in all areas at all times. A day or two will be spent in Calgary and Vancouver at the beginning and end of the trip respectively. This will bring our total time in Canada to 22 days. We aim to fly out on the weekend of 21st/22nd July 2012, however exact dates will be confirmed in Autumn 2011 when our flights are booked. Whilst at our three venues we will be mobile in rental cars and vans. We will also use these vehicles to move between the three different sites.

Activities

During our time in Canada we plan on offering single and multi pitch rock climbing (both sport and traditional), alpine mountaineering, technical scrambling, multi-day hiking trips, and mountain biking. There may also be the opportunity to undertake some kayaking, particularly sea kayaking in the area of Vancouver Island. As this is a multi activity trip, participants need to open-minded and willing to take part in a wide range of activities; this is not a single sport trip. All these activities will be staffed by West Lancs Mountaineering Leaders with extensive mountaineering, alpine and sea kayak experience. All Leaders will hold appropriate Scouting activity permits.

Who?

The trip is open to any member of West Lancashire Scouts from Explorer Scout age upwards at the date of application. Participants are expected to have a good level of fitness, and have mountaineering, climbing, mountain bike and/or sea kayak experience currently, or be prepared to gain this prior to departure. Opportunities to gain necessary experience will be made available as part of training for the trip. All of the Leaders involved are active mountaineers and will be on Snow & Ice and Welsh Meet. For participants who are aiming high on this trip, i.e. multi pitch routes and alpine peaks, attendance on the summer 2011 Alpine trip to Switzerland is highly recommended.

This is not a trip for pure novices or those after an easy and relaxing holiday!!

Equipment

Most activities will be run using member’s own personal kit; tents, stoves, helmets, harnesses, etc, and a detailed kit list will be distributed well in advance. Some group equipment (such as ropes and climbing racks) will be drawn from the County stores and split amongst the team. All kit will be transported across the pond in our personal baggage allowance, so think light! Some items (mountain bikes and sea kayaks in particular) will have to be hired out there.

                                              Costs

The plan is to run the event on a self catered basis; so the central cost stated below will include flights, insurance, camp fees, and all in-country transport costs. A payment plan will be set up for this central cost. Excluded from this cost will be food, travel to and from our chosen UK airport, and hiring of any kit whilst in Canada (e.g. mountain bikes and sea kayaks).
The central cost for this trip will be no more than £1500

What Now?

The application procedure will be run online through the Scout Land Activities website (http://scouts.landactivities.com). Please complete the application form with as much detail as you can, and post off a cheque deposit for £150 (payable to West Lancashire Scouts Mountaineering Group) to Julie Paton, 31 Great Gill, Walmer Bridge, Preston, PR4 5QP, to secure your place. A full team meeting will then be called shortly after the closing date.
The closing date for applications is 31st January 2011

  

Enquiries

Please complete the online application and send £150 Deposit (cheques payable to West Lancashire Scouts Mountaineering Group) to Julie Paton. Once accepted your application will show as 'confirmed'.

Please note that all correspondance will be via email, so make sure that the email address to give on your application is checked regularly.

You can check your application, once accepted your application will show as 'confirmed', see Who's Applied.

For more info please contact Julie or Matt here