After an early start (6 am), and a sufficient amount of breakfast, the staggering ascent of 1,300 metres was nearly upon us. The group of twelve were split into two teams which set off at a ten minute interval (in line with UK Scout Association regulations). We boarded our chairlift, which assisted us in the shallowest climb towards Lake Oeschinensee.
Ironically, we began our venture with a short downhill stroll; this lured us into a false sense of security. We approached the sign which directed us to our summit, which was at the time out of our view.
After walking for half an hour we thought we were now starting to see the worst of our journey; boy, were we wrong?!
Finally, we reached the half way rock where the two teams stopped to mingle with one another and where each individual refueled for the hard part of the journey- a steep climb of nearly 1 km (far worse than that of Westerham Hill!)
The hike only got harder on the way to the summit. The path that we took was treacherous and was constantly zig-zagging. If anyone had put one foot wrong they would have fallen to certain death.
Finally, the hut was in sight; we only had an enormous cliff to conquer. The team of leaders and explorers were now knackered and having to stop for frequent water breaks (at 11am!).
The teams reached the summit, welcomed by bottles of water costing £6 each. If one was to drink the gallons of water surrounding the hut they would have had the pleasure of their esophagus shredded apart by tiny fragments of rock particulate.
After a very rewarding sleep, we woke up the following morning 'full of life' – so to speak. But to our surprise, we opened the curtains and discovered the horrendous weather that was upon us. At first, we figured the fun morning activities were to be postponed until the bad weather had passed. Fortunately we were incorrect. The bad weather ceased and we proceeded onto the glacier as scheduled. The morning activities began with us learning how to execute rescue procedures in the event of someone falling down a wet glacier. In order to do so, we needed to harness up and attach crampons to our feet.
We were also provided with ice axes, which we were taught how use in the event of an emergency.
During our two sessions on the glacier we climbed up ice walls, climbed down crevasses and performed a series of emergency rescue drills.
The only item that ended up having to be rescued was a camera dropped by a scout group in the previous week (besides a team member who fell through insecure snow and fell head first down a crevasse whilst distracted).
After a lunch break we headed back down the mountain at a faster pace than that of which we ascended. On the way down a team member fell and sprained his ankle, a helicopter was not required on this occasion and he managed to carry on.
On the descent the heavens opened and we were caught in an enormous electrical storm; we narrowly avoided a huge rock fall. The storm was over before long and we headed back down the cable car to the village of Kandersteg.
All who were on the trip believe that they have had an absolutely brilliant experience and most people are now looking forward to the next opportunity to partake in such an expedition.
All who were on the expedition send their thanks to Andrew and Jasper, the two very knowledgeable mountain leaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment