by Tilly | Sep 8, 2016 | Cambodia 2016, Event Report, Expeditions, Media, News, Patagonia 2017, Patagonia 2017, Team HSX, Training, Trip Report
” I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.”
“I should think so- in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! Make you later for dinner, I can’t think what anybody sees in them.”
Unlike Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, who is dead set against any kind of exploration or adventure, it is clear that HSX members have adventure running through their core.
Last weekend HSX celebrated the 30 year milestone,
That’s 30 years of leading, participating, and developing life changing adventures all around the world.
30 Spectacular years.
The weekend followed our normal September plan, a training weekend at Ferny Crofts, this year we had two current expedition teams in attendance, Cambodia, which are heading off this winter 2016 for 4 weeks, and Patagonia, a team heading off next winter 2017 to Chile. The expedition teams took part in their own programmes, some PT, first aid training and continuous team building were all on the cards. Those who were left also took part training, on how to lead expeditions, running events, learn about budgets etc…All of that exciting stuff.
On Sunday we had a classic big BBQ and were joined by HSX members from the past, who with them bought an exchange of stories and photos that have not seen the light for many, many years.
It was a great afternoon, where the newer members and current expeditions could see where HSX started and came from, and the older members from previous expeditions could see that the sense of adventure is still as strong as it ever was.
Even though we are 30 years old, we feel like we are just getting started, we have a fantastic future ahead, with more adventures, more expeditions and more exciting plans on the horizon.
Somewhere in the story, Bilbo decides that actually, an adventure can be quite exciting, he wishes to see the great mountains, smell the pine trees and hear the waterfalls, ultimately his sense of adventure is overpowered so sets of on a journey.
We still have a journey to complete, and a story to tell.
Thank you to everyone who has ever played any part in our adventures.
Here’s to another, spectacular 30 years.
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 | 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 Tilly | May 7, 2016 | Expeditions, Patagonia 2017, Patagonia 2017
After Taster Day success, we are now going to be holding a taster weekend!
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 and sign-up below, we look forward to seeing everyone there!
-The Leader Team
When: 9.30am Saturday 4 June – 3.00pm Sunday 5 June
Where: Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, Beaulieu Road, New Forest, SO42 7YQ
Cost: £25
What to bring: Sleeping bag/roll mat, cloths suitable for outdoor activities and exercise (including waterproofs, a warm layer and a set of clothes that you don’t mind getting wet), a torch, mug/bowl/plate and cutlery, completed parents consent form (this will be circulated by email before the weekend).
To register your attendance, please use the sign-up form here:
https://docs.google.com/…/1zPnPKg5xufmlqUKxuuLdxJb…/viewform
You can pay for the weekend by cheque on the day (payable to HCSC), or by BACS payment to:
Sort code: 40-46-39
Account number: 51260936
Reference: 98-SURNAME. (E.G. 98-Batstone)
If paying by BACS, please send an e-mail confirmation to Richard Batstone (treasurer) on richard.batstone@hsx.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you there!
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 | Jan 13, 2014 | Event Report
Christmas time was once again celebrated by the HSX Christmas weekend, and with it the infamous Adventure Race. After a stock up on supplies for the gruelling 3 hour event and a quick brief we all set out in the muddy new forest.
As we all had different tactics the start of the race was manic with all the pairs running off in different directions to the check points. Each check point was worth different amounts, depending on how hard it was to get to and since time was of the essence map reading and snacking was done while running.
No time was wasted avoiding mud or rivers, which astonished the odd dog walker! After about 21km of running round the forest all but one of the teams headed back to ferny crofts to be back in time for the 1300hrs deadline.
We then all had a well-deserved lunch and swapped stories of our routes before the results we in. In first place was Matt Prince & Ollie Robinson with, in second place, and with the honour of organising next year’s race, was Alan, Andy and Josh, and in last place with after a mini ‘epic’ was Liam and Will. Well done too everybody, and see you for next year’s race.. 🙂
by Andy Humpreys
