West Lancashire Scouts Mountaineering Group

Synopsis

During four weeks of the summer of 2004 (July/August), 29 members of West Lancashire County Scouts undertook an expedition to Milne Land in East Greenland.

The objectives were:-

  • To offer developmental opportunities for the 18 young people from the Explorer Scout and Scout Network sections of West Lancashire Scout County.
  • To experience and explore the Arctic Wilderness.
  • To climb remote mountains - some previously unclimbed.
  • To undertake a degree of scientific research and exploration.
  • To promote Scouting.

 

Background to West Lancashire Scouts Mountaineering

Fokker The West Lancashire County Scouts Mountaineering Group was formed in the Autumn of 1998 in order to bring together a team of experienced leaders to promote and deliver mountaineering in all its forms, at the highest possible level, to the Scout Movement in West Lancashire. Every year since then, the Group has provided half yearly meets in North Wales amd the Derbyshire Peak, ski trips and significantly, an annual ten day "Snow & Ice" winter mountaineering programme in the Cairngorms that provides the opportunity for over 100 members of the Scout County each year to develop their mountaincraft in winter conditions.

Every two years the Group organises an Alpine trip. In 1999 the Group took 36 members of the County to the Dauphiné Alps in France. In 2001, 54 members experienced the Austrian mountain hut hospitality in the Ötztal Alps and last year, 44 members of the County have visited the trolls and the giants in the Jotenheimen of Norway!

It should be noted that the leadership and instruction on all these events remains on ther voluntary basis that is the backbone of Scouting.

The Group actively promotes the professionalisation of mountaineering skills within Scouting and organises a comprehensive Mountain Leader training programme delivering awards of the Mountain Leader Training Board primarily to Scout and other Youth Leaders, although the courses are open to all. The personal qualification levels within the Group are high, with an MIC, several Winter MLs, and most gaining or working towards higher national mountain training awards.

A major expedition is the natural progression in the development of mountaineering within the County.

Area of Expedition

Milne Land (25°25'W 70°52'N) is the second largest island of Greenland and lies within the innermost reaches of Scoresbysund, about 300 miles north of the Arctic circle. It consists of a series of large icecaps, slashed by three major glaciated valleys, and surrounded by a wealth of summits, spires and walls of upto 2000m. Current research suggests that whilst there have been a few scientific visits, predominately to the coastal areas, there has been little significant activity by way of mountaineering and exploration. Other than the obvious physical attraction of the area, the ability to site a base camp low down, with deep valley access to the hinterland, improves the Risk Management of the expedition and ability to evacuate in the event of an accident.

For further information, and maps and aerial photos see Location.

Logistics

Around the end of May 2004, all equipment and rations were packaged for outward freight by sea to Iceland and airfreight to Constable Point in Scoresbysund. The Expedition itself flew to Iceland on 18th July for an overnight stay with Icelandic Scouts, before flying the following day by Fokker 50 of Flugfelag Islands to meet up with the freight in Scoresbysund. The following day, four trips in a balloon tyred Twin Otter of Flugfelag Islands, with helicopter support, will place the Expedition at its Base Camp on Milne Land, close to the snout of the Korridoren Glacier. Over the following four weeks elements of the Expedition did foray out across the northern half of Milne Land in order to fulfil the objectives of the Expedition. Ridge

There was 24-hour daylight for all of the time in the field.

At the end of the Expedition, it was hoped that some members would have the opportunity of visiting the Innuit settlement of Scoresbysund, before everybody flew back to Iceland where a final couple of nights with the Icelandic Scouts which allowed several of the geothermal wonders of that island to be visited, before finally returning back to the UK on 16th August.

Logistical support was provided by Paul Walker of Tangent Expeditions.

Objectives

Developmental

By the time the Expedition departs, Explorer Scouts and Network will have taken a full role in the sub-groups planning and organising of the Expedition. Sub-groups have been formed ranging from Catering & Rations to Gismos (technical aspects including solar charging and satellite uplinks) to Field Objectives, to Medical... and the rest. All those over 18 will have at least completed ML training... most having qualified.

In the field, all members will be seen as equals as far as possible - and the opportunity will be made for completing Duke of Edinburgh's Gold and Queens Scout Expeditions.

Experience and Explore

The vastness and isolation of the Arctic is something that is never forgotten. To tread lands previously untrodden is sobering. To have the opportunity of doing this as part of a homogeneous team, where your well-being is dependent upon your fellow traveller, is something very special.

Climb remote unclimbed mountains

Very few of the mountaineering objectives in the area have been resolved. From attaining the summit of an unclimbed mountain, to being the first to traverse the pinnacled ridges, to topping the spectacular rock spires seen from aerial photographs - to making ascents of the mile-high walls thought to lie to the northeast of the island.

Undertake a Scientific programme

This will be developed over the coming months with support and steer from Universities. Current thoughts are orientating around an ecological / environmental programme, a glaciological programme looking at ablation, and a human physiology programme that takes advantage of the wide age range within the Expedition members, from age 15 to 57 at the time of the Expedition.

In addition, the Expedition is happy to undertake further testing or research as may be requested by its sponsors.

Post Expedition

Peaks A lecture pack and a comprehensive report will be produced. Copies of the report will be provided to all people and organisations that have supported the Expedition. Full acknowledgement of support will be given, and any support commitments fulfilled.

Support

Any level of support will be gratefully received, whether it be financial, in kind, by discount or in thought. We thank you in anticipation.

 

(Photographs on this page by kind permission of Paul Walker, Tangent Expeditions)