West Lancs Scouts Mountaineering Group

Summer 2015 Expedition to Northeast Greenland

A Presentation was given on Friday 27 November
in the Harrington Lecture Theatre, University of Central Lancashire, Adelphi Street, Preston.

Watch West Lancs Scouts Greenland 2015 on YouTube:

West Lancs Scouts Play

Location: Ittoqqortoomiit, Liverpool Land, Greenland. Map: 70.82 N 22.42 W

Leader: Andrew Mathers    Members: 15

Affiliation: West Lancs Scouts

Objectives: To offer developmental opportunities to young people from West Lancs Scouts; to experience and explore the Arctic wilderness; to climb remote mountains; to undertake a degree of scientific research and exploration. To promote Scouting.

Prospectus:  West Lancs Scouts to NE Greenland 2015

Dates: 21 July to 14 August 2015

Achievements: Fifteen Scouts from West Lancashire spent three weeks summiting the mountains around their base camp on the Emmanuel Glacier in Liverpool Land. The young team (two-thirds of the team under 30 and the average age of just 25!) enjoyed 15 days of fine weather to climb a number of peaks including first ascents of Reiff (1,000m), Sgurr nan Chumbawumba (1,200m), Abstract (803m) and Aiguille de Scouse (1,340m). A small team of four Explorer Scouts & Scout Network completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition during their time in the field. It didn’t always go to plan though, as the team also had to deal with two storms whilst in base camp, allowing them to practise their Scout skills on tent repairs!

21 July: West Lancs Scouts Liverpool Land expedition on their way, collecting their hire vehicles in Keflavik for the drive up to Akureyri.

22 July: Fly to Greenland.

24 July: 'All safe and well at Base Camp after 2 day walk in. Found all our kit, lots of blue sky & snow.'

29 July: 'Climbed 4 tops, 2 first ascents. Had a rest day today with a group meal. We are all well!'

4 August: 'All well at base camp! Climbed the highest peak today and the sun is finally back'

11 August: 'Team all back in Constable Point after crossing by boat in difficult windy conditions.'

PhotoGallery

A few samples are shown below:

West Milne Land WLS_2015_2 WLS_2015_3 WLS_2015_4 WLS_2015_5 WLS_2015_6 WLS_2015_7 WLS_2015_8

Contact (email through the Arctic Club): arctic.club.uk@gmail.com  

Supported by: Gino Watkins Memorial Fund

West Lancs Scouts 1West Lancs Scouts 2
Expedition depot in place, February 2015                                   Training in Norway, 2014