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(Last
updated:
28 September, 2009) |
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Pictures from the Expedition are
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Item Date: 28-09-2009 |
The Explorer Scout Unit has
had a busy summer with two Expeditions, one to Canada and
another River Survey on the Thames near Oxford. Both went
very well.
CANADA
On the 27th July nine of us flew from
Gatwick to Toronto for a two week trip to Toronto and
Algonquin Provincial Park, where we did a 5
day Canoe trip. We met up with 3 others in Toronto who had
flown to New York for a 6 day trip in the USA. We stayed in
the youth hostel in downtown Toronto for the 1st few days to
have a look around.
Canoe Trip
On the 29th we were picked up by a coach
and taken to Algonquin Provincial Park which is about 250km
north east of Toronto. This was a 4 hour trip. We were in the Northwest part of
Algonquin, we stayed on Kawayagmog Lake which was just
outside the park and we hired our equipment from Voyageur
Outfitting. Our first night was spent in log cabins on
the edge of the lake. The next day we met John Cordukes who
was going to be our Canoe Trip Leader. John is a High School
Teacher and runs trips to Algonquin. John did some instruction with us, showing
us how to carry the canoes correctly, use the paddles and
what to do if we capsize (which we did not)!! Our five day canoe trip started on
Kawayagmog Lake. Our route would take us to North Tea Lake,
Bigger Lake, Three Mile Lake, Manitou Lake and then back on
to North Tea for the final day back to the base. We would be
camping at each of the lakes every evening. Algonquin was used for logging and the
logs were moved through the lakes to the Ottawa River,
during the spring when the water was high due the snow
melting. Most of the lakes are connected by rivers,
where the logs would flow down. Along the side of the
rivers, paths had been cut. These are called Portages and
this is where we had to carry all our equipment, including
canoes, food, tents and personal gear. The portages can be from about 135metres
long to up to 3km.
All personal equipment is packed into dry
bags, which keeps everything dry in case you capsize. Food
is stored in large plastic barrels which are sealed to make
it waterproof and bear proof. These have rucksack type
straps on them to carry on your back. Tents are placed in
very large rucksacks. Each person picks up kit and carries
it to the end of the portage, then go back to collect some
more equipment. Canoes can be carried either by one or two
persons depending on strength!! On each lake there are designated
campsites, each with a campfire. The good sites go very
quickly, so we needed to start looking for a suitable one
from lunch-time onwards. The only facilities the sites have
is a large box over a deep hole for when nature calls. While we were in Algonquin we had the
pleasure of seeing a cow moose and her calf (which is rare)
and also a bull moose (even rarer). We also saw beavers (not
as noisy as the ones that I find at the Scout Hut!) and a
large amount of birds (mostly loons). We luckily did not
come across any bears. We were very fortunate with the weather as
it only rained once. This was a thunder storm and was at
night. The weather was warm but not too hot. During the evenings we explored the
surrounding area, going up creeks and crossing beaver dams.
Once back at Voyager Base we had a day of
rest, but we did use the canoes to explore the surrounding
area. The canoe trip was the highlight of the
expedition, everyone enjoyed it and we all pulled together
as a team. Although our trip was about 45 mile long, we only
did a small part of Algonquin Park, as the park is the same
size as Wales. We did not have any mobile signals and
satellite phones also did not work. If there was a problem
it was at least a day away from any help.
Toronto
Once back in Toronto we stayed in a Church
not far from downtown. This was great as we could do some
sightseeing without the expense of a hostel. We got up early (to miss the queues) and
went up the C.N. Tower, which is the world’s tallest free
standing man-made structure at 553m. We had some great views
of Toronto and the surrounding area. We then went to Toronto Island which is a
3 mile long island in the harbour in Lake Ontario. This is a
collection of small islands all interlinked. We had to catch
a ferry from Toronto to the Islands. The Explorers hired 4
seater bikes to get around and explore the islands. Niagara Falls is only two hours away so it
would have been a shame not to go, and go we did. This was a
tour which included a vineyard in the Niagara area, (they
produce ice wine here) Niagara on the Lake, (a very pretty
town) and Niagara itself. We went on the Maid of the Mist
boat trip, which takes you up to the falls and this is where
you get wet due to the mist. We finished our time in Canada with a trip
to Canadian Wonderland, a theme park with plenty of
roller-coasters. This was heaven to the Explorers. The
Leaders did go on a few, but not all as we had to look after
the day-sacks! A great time was had by all. The day ended
with a spectacular thunder storm, the best anyone had ever
seen.All good things come to an end and we had
two glorious weeks in Canada.We all had a great time and we leave with
fond memories, especially of our days in Algonquin. |
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Explorer News |
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Item Date: 25-06-2009 |
At the Group Camp the
Explorers camped in an old Bell Tent which was similar to
the ones used by Claygate 100 years ago.
It had seen better days, but the Unit do like to rough it a
bit!
While we were at camp
we made a Trebuchet, a
Medieval
siege machine.
This
was achieved
by
using pioneering poles and plenty of
rope. The lashings the Explorers did
was very good as
they all
held
each time we
used the Trebuchet. For the counter
weight we use a
big stump of
a tree
and we used
a
tennis
ball as
the projectile. (We could not
use any
thing heavier
due to the
numbers in
camp.)
The Trebuchet
did work and the and the
Explorers can be proud
of the
hard
work they
put
in.
We
also
started to
make a
Long Bow
which still
needs
to be finished. The Explorers
also
had
a
great time
hiding in
the undergrowth
and
up trees
for the
Scouts to find them. On the Sunday
they took
part in
all the activities which were on offer and
they
finished
the long
day by
lighting the fireworks
with Toad
from Maple.
Our
Programme in the
summer is
a
full one, with a
host of
District
Competitions such
as rafting
and backwoods
cooking,
archery and
volleyball.
We will
be doing a
cycle
ride,
rock
climbing,
and
we will
be taking part
in a
river
survey.
While we
are helping
with the
wardening
at
Polyapes
we will be
doing
some
repair work
on our round
house
which was damaged by
the
snow in
February.
A full programme
can be
found on
the Group
website.
We
are also
gearing
up for
our trip to Canada
at
the end
of
July/beginning
of
August,
where we will be doing a 5 day
canoe
trip,
Edward
Bow/es
ESL |
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ESHER DISTRICT - GENERAL NEWS |
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Item Date: 01-02-2009 |
The
Explorers started the New Year with the Winter Activity
Weekend, along with other Explorer Scout Units in the
District.
We stayed in the village of Talgarth, at the foot of the
Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons, Wales, arriving on
Friday night at about 11pm. On Saturday we had three groups
out walking. The weather was clear and dry but very windy.
On Sunday the Explorers went caving to Llangattock
Escarpment near Crickhowell. All who went had a great time
and learnt a great deal. Our Programme is set up to Easter,
with activities including going to the Surbiton Gun Club,
indoor climbing, a District Wide Game and Car Treasure Hunt.
We will be taking part in the County Night Hike in March
(which we are aiming to win this year!). A copy of our
programme can be viewed on the Group website. This year’s
Summer Expedition is to Canada, where we will stay in
Toronto and do some Canadian Canoeing in Algonquin
Provincial Park, about 200km North East of Toronto. This is
the biggest Expedition the Unit has ever undertaken. We are
all looking forward to it. Please look out for more details
about the trip. The photo is one of our campsites in the
park.
Edward Bowles
ESL
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