A trip with Hampshire Explorer and Network Scouts. 200 ish Scouters heading for two weeks to an International Scout Campsite at the base of the Swiss Alps!
Suisse Adventure 2020(2) (postponed a couple of times due to a certain pandemic)
The activity list is currently...
For everyone:
Day Trip to Bern
Lötschenpass Day Hike
Lütchine River Rafting
Oeschinensee Hike
Swimming in Kandersteg pool
And my additions (each participant has six days worth of optional extras they can pay for):
Trümmelbach & Interlaken (Day Trip)
Paragliding Flights (18+)
Bunderspitz & Three Valleys Combo Hike (2day)
Blüemlisalp Glacier Tour (16+) (2day)
Programme & Adventure | Kandersteg International Scout Centre (kisc.ch)
So the camp happened, and while rather exhausting was an incredible experience!
Camping at 1,240ish metres elevation, and almost everything was aimed higher than that. Low exertion things were fine but the more intense hikes I could definitely feel how much thinner the air was (15% less than at sea level)
The Trümmelbach cave waterfall network was stunning, and at Interlaken I decided to drag some Explorer Scouts away from the touristy town (and McDonalds) to a set of harbour castle ruins by one of the huge lakes the town is named for (Interlaken - between lakes)
The next day was hiking up to Oeschinensee lake (different to the Interlaken lakes). 1,600m ish elevation, so only a 350m climb, but happening so early on most people felt the difference.
This is a stunning turquoise blue lake, a staple visit for Scouts visiting Kandersteg. A few of us (me included) managed to hire a row-boat and explore the lake a little more thoroughly than paddling at shore.
Next was a two day hike, one to get to Bunderspitz peak (2,546m elevation - 75% air pressure compared to sea level). An incredible view, and saw a group of eagles riding the thermals around us at the peak!
After dropping back down to a valley floor and staying in a hut overnight, we went to a point where three valleys met - 2,630m elevation!
This was a very demanding couple of days, but after a (single) nights' rest I felt up for the challenge of the two day Blüemlisalp Glacier Tour. This is a run externally to KISC, and one of the most challenging hikes they advertise.
Hiking up to 2,840m for the hut, and then a 3:30am start for a sunrise hike over the Glacier (getting to 2,950m). This hits 70% of sea level air pressure.
The sunset and sunrise views at that altitude were absolutely stunning, and well worth the exhausting hike up.
On the way down, just as we got to the 'far' side of Oeschinensee lake (the side furthest from the resort buildings and path to Kandersteg), I managed to roll my ankle. A mix of heat exhausting and just pushing myself too far too quickly, and my body took full advantage of that and told me to just stop.
Two and half days of 40C temperature and uncontrollable shivering. No other signs of infection (luckier than some of the Explorers from the same trip in that regard).
I was just about recovered enough for a short cable car ride and hike, so as to run off the side of a mountain and get take around paragliding! This was an amazing experience and wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who gets the chance!
I did try recording it on my phone (lanyard case), but it overheated after about three minutes of the 15min experience.
A couple of "angry thermals" made things interesting, and was taken through an "adult sized" wing-over before landing (my instructor pointing to one of the Network Scouts doing a 'kids version' after made me laugh).