Steve-

Cultural day with our Norwegian contact Thomas. He was a YE 15 years ago and volunteered to be our guide on Norwegian-ness.

Our first port of call was the Alta museum, which is no ordinary museum as it is also a UNESCO world heritage site. It has its status from ancient stone carvings that date back as far as Stonehenge. However; it was not only ancient history we learnt from Thomas as he taught us more interesting things about the surrounding area and the Sami culture. The group came away enthused and ready to pass on their new-found knowledge to the YE’s.



On return to the campsite we began our planning for the mini expeditions we will be running for the YE’s. For dinner we had a well-deserved Norwegian culinary experience put on by our Master Chef Chief Leader and enthusiastic assistant/expedition doc/leader.

Early start again today. We said goodbye to base camp at 7.30am to head off for the ferry. The journey went: delayed ferry, played cards, attempted eye spy, slept, real toilet stop, and finally Alta.

After setting up at the campsite and getting into a real (but cold) shower, we headed to the shops! Civilisation hit us at last. Excitement ran through the group especially at the supermarket and baskets were filled to the brim. Cravings meant we even splashed out £8 for 500g of cheese. A feast took place even before we got back to camp!

The group day started at 12noon, when we all returned from our solos, some with rather interesting stories to tell about reindeer and others with a catalogue of “sunset” photos.



The day was spent trying out different team building activities. Our group’s competitive side shone whilst trying to complete the magic carpet game. Yet we were less successful, due to balance issues, with the three legged race. The group became very creative with a Haiku poetry session and felt the need to each create one of their own. We now present the anthology…

YL’s played in snow,
Torvill did pull off a show,
Rock held on below.

A trip to the shop,
Pizza feast and bananas,
At base camp last night.

I sit on the ground
Eating my biscuit Browns,
With Raspberry jam.

Hot dry midgy land,
Sun hats and t-shirts are rife,
This is the ARCTIC.

Wearing fleece trousers
May be warm, but tundra stuck
All over is norm.

Nalgene oh so strong,
Dropped from heights no problem, but
Sipping gets you wet.

Walking down the ice,
At 3am, sun so bright.
Alpine starts not nice.

Today was our last full day at base camp. We spent the evening packing up and getting ready to head to Alta tomorrow for the final phase of our expedition.

Botany was the theme for the morning. Or for some of us ‘what plants you can and can’t eat!’ We’ve now taken a liking to Cloud berries and Blueberries.

That afternoon we met a bit of civilisation again by venturing to Nuvsvaag’s only shop. On the menu for the evening was bonfire pizza and mars bar bananas. Although the pizzas were slightly burnt they were more than welcome, and the mars bar bananas were eaten quicker than they cooled down.

As part of our programme we are all encouraged to write a personal development plan. We ended the day ‘soloing’ in different areas of the valley, all to meet again at 12noon the next day. Some of us took the time to sleep, take photos; wash and most of all feel at one with the environment.

Sunday walk on a Tuesday!

The group explored the next valley today with the intentions of polishing their navigational skills and emergency evacuations. Survival bags came in handy when attempting to lift and carry each other. Not something we ever want to have to do on the hill for real.

We ventured to the back end of the valley to see an amazing corrie lake fed by the glacier high above. The day ended with us saying farewell to Andy! Have a steak and stubby for us!

Today was spent around Base Camp. Much needed for all of us!

We’ve begun delving into the logistics of planning expeditions and, after our talk with BSES Tim, we ended up with our hearts set on leading on near future BSES expeditions. Svalbard was a popular choice…

Sarah-
Descended the glacier at 3am, as that’s when it’s meant to be the coldest part of the day, whilst negotiating our way over and around crevasses and the rising sun beating down on us, we were all sweltering by the time we finally reached the bottom. One final push down the moraine and we were finally able to catch up on some much needed sleep. Once again we were in the land of the mosquitoes which we had sorely missed (not) for the past week and in the over bearing heat - not necessarily what you sign up for on a trip to the Arctic! Once back at base camp, most of us headed straight for a wash in the river and then caught up on what had been happening while we were gone. The day ended with a gentle paddle relaxing out in the sea kayaks.