On a rope on a rope...

'it is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves- in finding themselves'

- Andre Gide

My adventure, despite its infancy at this point in the Journey, has already lead me along way down the road to knowing myself. This weekend was no exception.

Arriving home Sunday night around 19:30, exhausted and armed with a vague air of damp and a faint waft of unshowered body, I plonked myself on the edge of the bed and removed my left shoe. Upon completion of this task, I proceeded to fall into a deep, contended and certainly very welcome sleep. Awakening only once before 8 o'clock this morning for just long enough to struggle out of the right boot.

The weekend was damp and grey and tiring and busy and..... One of the most rewarding experiences in the last six months of my life. 

Meeting with the Leader Team for our expedition and getting to grips with rope techniques left me with a lot to think about in the run up to the expedition. The weekend has really brought home to me the reality of the situation and I can feel a palpable sense of excitement beginning to smolder  and as time goes on and more preparation and plans are put in place that excited ember can only grow into an ever greater flame.

Friday was taken up mostly by travelling down, and short of  a couple of sketchy moments due to an apparent lack of road signs, and one successful attempt to ford a river in a Mondeo the journey was quiet and uneventful. Arriving just in time for dinner I took a place among my fellow trainee leaders one of many long benches laid out in the Barn like kitchen at the Great Tower Scout Camp. I eagerly tucked into  my plate of chilli con carne and for a time little other than brief greetings were shared as many of us hungry from our travels merrily filled our bellies with warm hearty fare. Soon enough the meal was finished plates were cleared and we had time to catch up with each other about our exploits since our first meeting. Similar such discussions were being had in numerous other groups and the barn was a hive of hustle and bustle.

most of the Finnmark 2013 team

Soon after we divided into our relevant expeditions and retired to our training rooms to be introduced to one another. The evening that transpired was, for me at least, a fascinating experience, as we took a whistle stop tour of the Careers and experience of each of the members of our leader team. Frankly I would have given an arm and a leg to have one of just about any of the careers they described. Lives of excitement and adventure coupled with educating and inspiring young people were described in a myriad different combinations, all of which I found particularly inspired me to get back to University and get qualified to go out there and do all this.

Soon enough it was bed time and we retired to our campsite (or as it shall more appropriately be referred to hereafter 'The Rockery') in order to to pitch our tents in the best and most persistent rain Windermere had to offer. Needless to said ubiquitous drizzle eliminated the chances of Bivvying out for the night. Instead I chose to throw all my gear into the Bivvy bag to keep it dry and Dive into a larger tent with a friend.

Awaking early on Saturday we were met by the sick-makingly fresh face of Dr nick ( Hi everybody... )  one of our expedition doctors (a serving paratrooper and fitness fanatic) eager to lead us all in a merry yomp around the scout camp with regular stops for plenty of military-esque jumping and shouting. Then quick spot of breakfast heated up on a camp stove and it was time to spring board into the day.

The day was spent practicing, re-practicing and then continuing to practice the techniques for crevasse rescue and glacier travel. Ascending ropes on Prussilk slings and then descending by Lowering off  or abseiling took up 90% of the day.

 One of the TL's  'Dumaring' up a rope on prussiks

Two basic prussik knots on a rope

The remaining 10% was taken up by an introduction to the plans for scientific study on the expedition followed by a heavily Antipodean themed pub quiz... maybe the Australian Science Leader had something to do with it ?

The explanation of the science was more than enough to wet my appetite despite the fact that it was heavily centered on geology rather than biology. And I was given the opportunity to put forward the numerous Ideas I had for zoological Research ( My personal area of study) Aided with support from the afore mentioned Australian science leader I was able to make a strong enough case to the chief scientist that I have I am being allowed to plan and run a schedule of Zoological study for the whole expedition. To date this is the single most exciting prospect I have encountered. In appreciation of this I have appointed myself the title of chief expedition zoologist (an entirely unearned moniker mostly there to massage my ego).

The infamous Aussie-phile Biologist

Basking in the glow of my prestigious position and warmed by wine a night on 'The Rockery' Flew by and it was soon time to go back out on a run minus the fitness mad Dr Nick. That morning however my shin splints were back with a vengeance and I barely manage to struggle through a short section of the run. This was annoying to say the least as it says nothing for my ongoing training to get fit for the  expedition. A situation not helped by a pinch of patronizing tone for the fat guy who 'can't' run.

Embarrassment aside it was time for a little more 'Dumaring' and rope work to round off a thrilling weekend.

Me (in blue) about to lower down a crag.

One last lunch all together and the weekend was sadly over. Far too quickly if you ask me. A quick summary and a few goodbyes and it was time to pack up the tents and head home back to civvy street to prepare materials for my zoology study program.

As for the drive home I don't believe there were any river crossings but I couldn't comment on much other than a dusting of snow on the Lakeland hills as we left:

Because soon after this picture was taken, My weekend caught up with me: