by Tilly | Aug 19, 2016 | Expeditions, Patagonia 2017, Patagonia 2017, Training
If any member of HSX were given £1 for every time somebody asked the question, “Am I fit enough to join one of your expeditions?” or questioned whether they are the right person for “that kind of adventure” I think we would all be in a position to quit our jobs, buy a round the world plane ticket and travel the world forever.
But we don’t get £1, we just reply to each person the only way we know how. It’s simple.
We don’t have any fitness requirements, as long as you have a sense of adventure and willingness to participate, then you’re more than welcome.
Just so you know where I am coming from with this advice, I am a normal person. That is to say, I am not super fit nor super human, I don’t run marathons, I can just about crawl 5k, I don’t lift weights, I think push ups and burpees are quite frankly torturous, (I only do them so I can eat more food) and I don’t find carrying a backpack easy or fun, but periodically I set myself a bit of a challenge, something to look forward to, and I get fit and prepared for it.
My next challenge is Patagonia 2017, in this expedition, there will be a trekking aspect, I want to be able to enjoy this without worrying that I’m slowing people down, I want to take in and explore this most beautiful landscape, the fitter I am, the better my body can adapt to the environment.
As much as we don’t have any fitness requirements, we do promote it around expeditions, as the fitter you are, the more likely you are able to enjoy and get the most out of the expedition. That is why the leadership team have taken it upon themselves to get fit.
Recently we had a fitness session run by JK Lifestyle and Fitness who put us through our paces, although from the photos it just looks like we are lying on the floor, we did a multitude of circuits, it was hot, tough and challenging, but most importantly we completed it as a team, and had a laugh along the way.
Enjoy these photos of the leadership team turning delightful shades of beetroot…
Now, where’s that cupcake?
If our expedition sounds like something that you would be interested in… Why not join us ?
Please contact us and get involved!
In order to sign up, we have created a Google form to be completed by Saturday 27th August.
(https://goo.gl/forms/Zx2jGiLqKPXEzEpt2)
Email: (Patagonia@hsx.org.uk) or stay tuned to the blog for more details.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HSXPatagonia
Twitter: @HSXofficial #Pat2017
by Tilly | Jul 28, 2016 | Belize 2011/12
So, in an earlier blog post, we gave you 5 great reasons to go on an expedition, now whether it is with us (we hope it is) or any other Scout expedition, we truly hope that it will be a life changing experience. Here are another 5 great reasons to put on those hike boots and start walking.
Getting away from the crowd; Many beautiful places in the world are also some of the most visited, but while other visitors are taking the easy road to the most popular sites, you can venture to more remote locales. Having this opportunity brings you up close to the wildlife and to seldom-explored areas, allowing you to see wildlife that can be found nowhere else in a way few others can.
Give something to others: As part of the community project, everyone will have the opportunity to give something to others, whether that is painting a classroom so they can learn in a safe environment , to building a toilet house to provide better sanitation. Working with locals in our community projects is invariably one of the most enriching and life-enhancing parts of the expedition.
The people: The people on the team, as well as the people you meet, are sure to become lifelong friends. There is nothing quite like sharing a tent for a month, dealing with expedition challenges together to form lifelong friendships.
The CV: From a purely academic point of view, an aspect which is undoubtedly important for many young people, expeditions look great on your CV.
In 40 years time, ( or even sooner…) youll probably regret the things you didn’t do, rather than those things you did.
Contact us and get involved!
Email: (Patagonia@hsx.org.uk) or stay tuned to the blog for more details.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HSXPatagonia
Twitter: @HSXofficial #Pat2017
by Tilly | Jun 14, 2016 | Expeditions, Patagonia 2017, Patagonia 2017
The second phase of our expedition is participating in a community project.
As many of you know, our expedition to Patagonia will take place over a 6 week period, Christmas and New Year 2017.
Our expedition is split into four phases, acclimatisation, the community project, trekking and also some R and R.
Scouting has a positive impact on communities across the World. Strong values and making a positive contribution to society have always underpinned our movement. As a movement, Scouting is not afraid to change and while our values remain constant, what we do must evolve to meet the needs of today’s society. All HSX expeditions involve a community project and Patagonia 2017 will be no different.
In previous expeditions, HSX have built orphanages in Peru, monkey enclosures in Belize, schools in Nepal, and reconstructed and conditioned parts of a nature reserve in Malawi.
So what is our project for Patagonia?
It is not 100% confirmed yet, but after some Chilean Scouts took part in a gap year alongside the National Scout Activity Centres at Gilwell park, we have managed to get in contact with Scouts who are members of Asociation de Guias Y Scouts de Chile, One of the 7 national Scout organisations from Chile, (but the only one recognised by the World Scout Organisation)
Projects are hard work, but the end result is truly fantastic, and the effect the work has, not only on the local community, but also the surrounding neighborhoods, can be life changing.
If our expedition sounds like something that you would be interested in… Why not join us on our expedition?!
Please contact us and get involved!
Email: (Patagonia@hsx.org.uk) or stay tuned to the blog for more details.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HSXPatagonia
Twitter: @HSXofficial #Pat2017
by Ian | May 22, 2016 | Antarctica 2018
“Who said that was the Rollercoaster? Rollercoaster are meant to be fun… that was more like the Hills of Hell!”
Two weeks after completing the Jurassic Triple, the team have just about recovered from what has been the single hardest challenge to date. Running a marathon is often regarded as one of the hardest physical and mental endurance events a person can undertake, dragging oneself around a 26.2 mile course is not for the faint hearted. Late last year it was decided that the team needed a proper hard challenge, which could only be achieved by subjecting themselves to not one, but three backbreaking marathons in three days!
With the challenge set, the team soon set about finding a suitable location to complete such a feat. When thinking about the ideal running environment many places come to mind; namely Norfolk… the Cheshire Plain… Holland! However, all of these just didn’t quite seem tough enough and given the team wanted to try and replicate the extreme physical and mental pressure they will be undergoing in the Antarctica, completing a flat road marathon simply wasn’t going to cut it.
After much deliberation the team choose Dorset’s Jurassic Coast as the ideal location to really test themselves, settling on a stretch of the South West Coastal Path between Charmouth in the west and Studland Bay in the east. Breaking the coastline down into three distinct sections, the routes worked out at just over a marathon each day.
Day 1
Having been held up in rush hour traffic the team starting their first marathon on Charmouth Beach at 11am on Friday 6th May, just as the sun was reaching it height for the day and Mercury was rapidly rising. The team set off at a good pace up the first hill, eager to try and make up some lost time, however acutely aware of the need to not burn out too soon.
The first half of the day was relatively hilly, however the team made short work of this on fresh legs, soon reaching soon passing through Seatown and West Bay. After a quick pit stop just outside Burton Bradstock the terrain eased off and the team found themselves running dangerously close to energy sapping shingle of Chesil Beach. Picking there through the loose shingle, the team soon found themselves in heading in land, away from the beach, where the going was much easier.
Given they spent most of the day running through the heat of the day dehydration was a big problem on Day 1. No matter how often they were stopping to take on water, they just couldn’t seem to taken enough on, despite drink around 5 litres by the third checkpoint. This seem to have a noticeable effect on the teams profamance, which noticeable dropped in the afternoon, but determined not to fall at the first hurdle the team worked together to help each other get through their wall.
Finally rounding the last corner the finish line at Chesil Beach Centre in Weymouth finally came into view and the team completed their first 28.2 miles.
Day 2
Keen to avoid the mistakes of the first day, the team decided to set out early on day, setting out for a lap of the Isle of Portland at 08:00. The team made much better time in the cool early morning temperatures, completing the first 13 miles in under 2 and half hours, reaching checkpoint two 20 minutes before our support crew had anticipated.
After the enforced break, the team set out for the second part of the day, which would see them run through a busy Weymouth town centre, to Ringstead, where they were joined by Clare Symonds and Fi Durrant, who would run the last 5 miles with the team… the infamous “Rollercoaster”. This section of coast is constantly undulating, which coming at the end of the day of Day 2, when legs are already suffering is a real killer and mental torture, especially when you realise you’ve already completed over a marathon for the day!
However, battling mental demons the team were spurred on by the encouragement from our new companions, and were soon relived to be making our way down the final slope into Lulworth Cove, marking the end of the second day. With another 28 miles under their belts the team had just enough time for an ice cream and quick dip in the sea to relieve tired legs.
Day 3
Despite the promise of the Day 3 being the hottest of all three days, the day started with the team setting out from the Lulworth Cove in the driving rain. With heads down, the team ventured into the Lulworth tank ranges, where the terrain carried on in the same vain as finish of pervious day, with the team making slow progress along the steep, undulating terrain.
Having spent the previous two days running in glorious conditions, the change in the weather brought some fresh challenges for the team, with the ground much slipper underfoot, making for some treacherous descents down the steep slopes.
After the first of the hour and a half the conditions improved, with the sun making an appearance and the team soon dried out, which combined with the stunning scenery massively helped to raise spirts.
However that was short lived and given the pounding the team had been subjected to over the previous two days, individuals feet had started to swell, making each footstep particularly challenging. Chris was suffering particularly badly, with his shoes which normally fitted perfectly offering no room for expanding feet, making each step nearly unbearable. Given the slow progress and time constraints facing the team, once they reached checkpoint two they decided to slip into two teams; with Joe, Ollie and Matt heading off in front; and Chris, supported by Dave, following behind at his own pace.
Both teams made good progress during the second part of the day, with the terrain becoming much flatter and more familiar given the amount of time the team has spent climbing along the sea cliffs near Swanage. Arriving in Swanage the team could sense the finish line which, after a quick ascent of Studland Hill, was finally in sight. The last 2.5 miles along Studland Beach passed without incident, with the two team finishing with 45 minutes of each other.
by Tilly | May 19, 2016 | Expeditions, Patagonia 2017, Patagonia 2017
As many of you know our expedition to Patagonia will take place over a 6 week period, Christmas and New Year 2017.
Our expedition is split down into four phases, acclimatisation, the community project, trekking, and of course some R and R.
The first phase, although titled acclimatisation, is just to catch up on our sleep after a long flight and travel period. At this point, we will not have any altitude to acclimatise to, that will come later in the trekking. We will spend a few days in Santiago getting our bearings, sightseeing, meeting Chilean Scouts, and most importantly stocking up on essentials and food items for our trekking phase.
Santiago will give the participants a taste of the big city, whilst Chile is sparsely populated, over 40% of Chileans call Santiago home. ‘It’s a wonderful place for strolling, and each neighbourhood has its unique flavour and tone, with many gardens, museums and attractions to see. With a growing economy, renovated arts scene and plenty of eccentricity to spare, Santiago is an old-guard city on the cusp of a modern-day renaissance.’
Just a reminder that on June 4th/5th we’ll be holding our first training weekend. We will be camping at Ferny Crofts in the New Forest and have a packed schedule of activities and challenges, and to top it off, we will be finishing with a BBQ!
The weekend will also be an opportunity for anyone who couldn’t make it to our information day to find out more about the expedition.
Details can be found HERE! and sign-up below, we look forward to seeing everyone there!
https://docs.google.com/…/1zPnPKg5xufmlqUKxuuLdxJb…/viewform
-The Leader Team
If our expedition sounds like something that you would be interested in… Why not join us on our expedition?!
Please contact us and get involved!
Email: (Patagonia@hsx.org.uk) or stay tuned to the blog for more details.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HSXPatagonia
Twitter: @HSXofficial #Pat2017
by Ian | May 16, 2016 | Cambodia 2016
Craghoppers state that “A polo is always a smart choice for a travel bag”. This seems suiting giving our polo shirts will be coming on a near 3000mile journey to Cambodia in December 2016. The HSX Cambodia Expedition is supported by Craghoppers who have donated team uniform to the Expedition.
We kicked off our recent training weekend in the Lake District handing out this highly anticipated kit to cheers from the expedition team and overwhelming exciting. One member will not be allowed to forget his opening statement upon receiving his polo shirt “I’m never going to take this off”. Although they feature moisture control technology, I doubt they will stand up to never being taken off or washed!
We choose kit from the NosiLife Range which has built in Insect repellent and UV protection, perfect for the hot humid days in Cambodia but also the wild nights filled with insects and creepy crawlies during our Jungle Trek.
Men will be sporting the Gilles Short Sleeved Polo whilst women will be wearing the Keisha II Short sleeved Polo.
Men’s Gilles Short Sleeved Polo.
One of the first things I noticed about the polo’s is the light weight approach Craghoppers have taken. The shirt is stripped back, no unnecessary pockets; in fact the two pockets on the polo are together; the left hand chest button pocket hiding a zip pocket. The Zip is perfect for security; money, keys, passport, making your travel even safer and leaving you worrying less about your important belongings.
Although the Lake District was not is normal sunny self over Easter, I did get a glimpse at what was to come. The moisture control does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s like having built in climate control, I never felt hot or sticky like I have in similar tops. The light weight, thin fabric is loose enough on your skin but not so baggy that you have to order a smaller size.
The Polo comes with a sunglasses hanger loop – although our team is ‘too cool for school’, it’s a nifty little feature if you want to use it and again, is nice and discreet contained within the pocket.
It comes in three colours, Brick Calico, Light Dusk Blue & Light Grey Marl. We went for Light Dusk Blue and my only thought on that is it kind of has the look of a pyjama top.
Women’s Keisha II Short sleeved Polo.
This Polo has to be put on to be fully appreciated, first off the colour it’s so nice to have a women’s outdoor top in a practical colour. The moisture control and dark colour will hold a multitude of sins that wearing for a few days without washing in a humid Cambodia acquire.
The design itself is smart and basic exactly what you want from a polo. The fit is what makes the top stand out from others; it has a small amount of gathering on the front and the top of the sleeves it also comes in slightly at the waist. This small detail makes a massive difference to how it looks, I can’t believe I’m saying this about an outdoor polo but it’s actually flattering on the figure.
The final thing I noticed after walking in the top for a day is the lack of label in the neck and the same can be said about the Men’s Polo. There is nothing worse in my opinion than a label scratching on the back of your neck when you’re hot and sticky especially when you’ve got a 70ltr bag on and its then end of a long day.
Craghoppers have really thought about every detail on this basic polo which makes it a pleasure to
wear.
*Men’s review written by Matthew Prince & Women’s review written by Rosemary Harrison.
