As all good Olympics start with a torch relay, that is exactly what we are doing.
To begin the Lockdown Olympics in style, design yourself an Olympic torch so that you can take part in the opening torch relay!
Send a video of yourself (filmed landscape please!) as an individual athlete or as a QuarenTeam running from LEFT to RIGHT across the shot with your Lockdown Olympic torch in hand via
Both real and creative flames are encouraged. (Just don’t set fire to yourself or the garden!)
We would also like some videos showcasing your spectators, your supporters who are right there with you come rain or shine, handing you sliced oranges at the finish line after you smash that PB.
The videos will be edited together and released after footage of the event has been independently adjudicated for any foul play. .
Glory and honour will be bestowed on all individuals and Quaranteams showing strength, stamina and imagination throughout the games.
Get ready for the Hampshire Scouts #HSXLockdownOlympics.
There will be a video briefing uploaded by 9am each event day on the HSX website and Facebook Page. You then have until 5pm on the last day of the event to unleash your creativity and athletic endeavour, filming your performance as an individual athlete, or as a household Quaranteam.
This is a long report, but then again, we had lots of adventures! Probably best to grab yourself a cuppa first…
Well
what an absolute scorcher of a glorious bank holiday weekend that was!
Over
Easter weekend, 30 Scouts, Explorers, Network and Scout Active Support members
from Hampshire Scouts made the annual pilgrimage to Great Tower in the Lake
District for a luscious weekend of walking, climbing, camping and ghyll
scrambling.
Last
year, the weather was considerably snowy and had the addition of sideways hail
hitting your eyeballs. This year however, with highs of 24*, welcome breezes
and well-deserved ice cream breaks, what’s not to love?
As
always, we set off on Thursday evening, vans were packed with excitement, kit,
food, and quite a lot of naan bread, we arrived at Great tower at a respectable
midnight, with all the busses close behind- We think this is one of the
earliest times we have arrived, and our beds were calling us for a good night’s
sleep.
Friday
After
a late-night arrival, we were up early on Friday to make the most of the sun
and started with a good hearty breakfast to give us lots of energy for the day
ahead. We split into groups for the day with Chris and Rich leading four new
members who hadn’t spent much time in the hills before on their first mountain
day up a classic Lake District peak, The Old Man of Coniston. It was a hot day so they had a welcome stop at a tarn
on the route up to cool down (though not all the group was convinced that the
stream water was safe to drink!). They made the summit in time for lunch and
enjoyed the great views over Coniston Water before taking a longer route back
down (ice creams on the way home well deserved).
Jamie and Besty took other new members up to walk the Old Man
of Conistion too via the Walna Scar Road summoning on Brown Pike, Buck Pike and
Dow Crag to a very busy top at 803m. On the way down they swam in a tarn
to the bemusement of the other walkers and explored the ruins of the old
quarry.
Tom,
Rosemary and Tilly had a navigation day up to Bow Fell, the heat was a scorcher
with no shade. With crystal clear water pools on the way down, they too were
thinking about going for a dip…. Until the discovery of a dead sheep near the
pool was enough to deter them. Tom wanted to take the sheep skull home, but
Rosemary didn’t think it would go with their living room decor… Such a spoil sport.
Dave,
Chardae, Kirsten, Kieran and Josh went on a scramble up to Stake Ghyll before
climbing up to Angle Tarn, they then scrambled up to Esk Pike onto Bow Fell,
before walking back down to Dungeon Ghyll. Adamant they would stay dry all day,
they did all manage to…except for Josh.
Russ
started his day with a trip to the shops to replace the 80+ sausages that the
Robinsons had left in the freezer….
After
a long day in the sun, we descended back on GT for some dinner and debriefs.
Due to late evenings and early starts, after dinner we went round the room to
introduce everyone. It was great to have 10 new members as well as hear all
about the old HSX expeditions to Malawi, Cambodia, Patagonia, Corsica,
Nepal……….
Saturday
Saturday was another great day and after tackling The Old Man
with no difficulties Chris, Rich and the boys decided to head up Helvellyn, one
of the highest peaks in the Lake District. They spent the climb up working on
navigation skills and met up with another HSX group at the top. Even though it
was another scorcher only Chris and Rich fancied a dip in Grisedale Tarn to
cool down! They were back at the bus a bit earlier than Friday so had some time
to look round Ambleside before dinner (and fill up on ice creams!)
Jamie’s group also tackled Helvellyn via striding edge and
descended via Sierra edge. It was blisteringly hot and they tried to swim
in red tarn but it proved too slippery under foot!
After a bit too much sun the day before, Tilly, Rosemary
Kirsty and Finn decided on a smaller, less high, easier walk as Finn had
informed us he didn’t like mountains. Whilst we were ploying Finn out of bed
with fresh coco pops, Kirsty decided on a ‘small’ walk up to Eesdale Tarn in
Grasmere. Spying a pharmacy, the last bottle of sun cream, seemingly in the
whole of the Lake District was bought and off they went. Again, with no shade
the walk proved quite difficult in the sun, but a lot of nav practice was had.
On reaching the tarn, picnic lunch ensued. Back down via the ice cream man, a
good day was had. Tilly’s top tips for tarn swimming include not stripping off
while DofE groups are on the horizon and not choosing to ‘swim’ in part of the
tarn where there is a floor bog.
Chardae’s group also hiked up Helveynn via
Striding Edge and down swirrel edge. They went for a swim in Red Tarn while
Dave ran to Catstye Cam- bets on the closest time it took and the winners got
ice creams! After dinner back at base, they then hiked out to Rydal Water and found a new location to camp up by Buckstones Jum. A
mild night meant we could sleep under the stars, though it didn’t make the
natural plunge pool any warmer in the morning!
Back
at Great Tower, we were joined by some Old Skool HSX for dinner. Ian had spent
the day doing an 18km fell race and the Roses had all been climbing with Dan.
(I can’t remember where, sorry!) Russ and Adam had also gone bird watching,
after finding no Ospreys, they had found some grey seals…
Sunday
With
our last full day in the lakes we were up even earlier! Breakfast at 6 was
beginning to be a struggle for some, but again we headed out for some great
adventures.
Jamie
and Rosemary took the 10 Explorers Ghyll scrambling alongside an instructor from
GT. They ventured up stickle ghyll, climbing,
scrambling and swimming their way up to Stickle tarn at 403m! It was
amazing fun, however the instructor Miles couldn’t keep up and they had to keep
stopping for him!! (they think broke him) Great feedback from Miles on how
adventurous, safe, and trustworthy the group had been!
When one half of the team think they are posing for a photo… and the other half thought differently.
Tilly Tom and Kieran headed out an a nav ex learning about
ticking feathers, thumbing the map and just honing in on map skills. Top tips
from tom here included that if you’re meant to go up… don’t go down! Reaching
the top they then went down via Pavey Arch and ran into the ghyll scrambling
group having a splash about cooling off after their day. Chris and Rich shortly
followed and as a group they all made their way down together… I think Miles
was relieved that the end of the day was in sight!
Debriefs and dinner again followed for our 5:30 am start
home.
I would like to say thank you to all those who helped plan
this weekend in anyway. Rosemary and Tom for food and logistics, Russ, Jamie
and Josh for sorting the kit out and those who offered and help take groups out
on the k=hills. Your time and skill is all greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Another
successful weekend in the Lake District. We are already looking forward to out
next adventure in North Wales in June. Keep an eye on your emails as the invite
has already gone out!
Have you got anything planned for
Easter weekend? If not don’t worry!
Are you interested in a long weekend of climbing, ghyll scrambling (Abseiling waterfalls and jumping and sliding into
pools of water) and hiking in the Lake District?
Between Thursday 18
April – Monday 22nd April in the Easter Holidays Hampshire
Scout Expeditions are running our yearly trip to the Lake District, staying at
Great Tower Scout Activity Centre.
Cost: £155 all-inclusive of food,
accommodation, kit hire and transport to/from and around The Lakes.
Deadline for signup is SUNDAY 24th MARCH!
Current members please keep an eye on your emails for one wizzing its way to your inbox!
Interested in a long weekend of climbing, ghyll scrambling (Abseiling waterfalls and jumping and sliding into pools of water) and hiking in the Lake District? ( Here’s a video of last year!)
Between Thursday 29th March -Monday 2nd April in the Easter Holidays Hampshire Scout Expeditions are running a trip to the Lake District. We will be staying at Great Tower Scout Activity Centre and will have an action-packed weekend full of activities.
Please find below further information, and continue to fill out the Google form if interested.
The fun kicks off leaving Ferny Crofts on Thursday 29th March from around 6 O’clock pm. There will be pick up points at Winnal Tescos as well as Eastleigh train station, however please indicate on the form your preferred pick up point.
During the course of the weekend, we will be staying in indoor accommodation at Great Tower Scout Activity Centre. (LA23 3PQ) The weekend will follow plans of hiking , climbing and Ghyll Scrambling. A great opportunity for both those new to mountaineering wanting their first experience outdoors climbing as well as those working towards qualifications to get log books filled up that extra bit.
So the Cost: £120 including transport to, from and around The Lakes, food, accommodation and kit hire.
The £120 can be paid by BACS (see details below), or by cheque payable to: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL
Bank: HSBC
Sort Code: 40-46-39
Account Number: 51260936
Payment will secure your place on the trip.
If you’re paying by BACS please put ‘HSX-Surname’ (EXAMPLE: HSX-Griffiths) as the reference.
