December 1998 - The millennium expedition

History

Herts and Bucks Wing pioneered overseas adventure training for the ATC with a Himalayan climbing expedition in 1991, followed by several canoeing trips to the Ardèche. Now, the Wing has decided to organise a millennium expedition to Canada in the summer of 2000. Traveling in open canoes, the expedition will be self-sufficient for 2-3 weeks in an area of uninhabited wilderness

At the beginning of the year, information about the trip was distributed by Wing HQ, and all Squadrons were invited to send any interested staff and cadets to the following events:

• February: inaugural meeting to gauge feasibility & level of interest
• August: training day on the Thames to introduce people to open canoes and provide information about the trip
• September: training weekend in North Wales, providing 2 days of open-water canoeing on lakes and estuaries
• October: planning meeting to allocate roles and responsibilities and establish the expedition organisation

Following these meetings, more than 10 staff and 30 cadets have expressed an interest in the trip. Already, we have a core team of cadets and staff who have attended every training session, and are committed to going to Canada. We are now confident that the trip really will take place

Our journey will follow traditional fur-trapper trails through the Quetico National Park (nearest town: Thunder Bay, Ontario). The park is a genuine wilderness area about the size of Wales, containing uninhabited forests, lakes and rivers. The number of people allowed in at any time is strictly limited by the park authorities, so it is usual to travel for many days without seeing another party. The only practical mode of transport is the canoe, with occasional portages to carry the canoes and all supplies overland to the next stretch of water

What have we achieved so far?

• The expedition organisation is in place
• We have a contact in Canada who will arrange accommodation, food, equipment and transport during our stay. He has already suggested some possible routes, and will help to obtain permits from the park authorities
• We have spoken to Barry Ellis, the chief instructor at Llanbedr. He knows the area well, and has confirmed that our plans are feasible
• We have spoken to HQ Air Cadets, who have responded very positively to our proposals
• We have an estimated cost for all expenses during our stay in Canada. We still have to confirm the air fares and work out the cost of any personal or group equipment that must be purchased in the UK, but we expect everything to be covered by a total budget of £850 to £1,000 per person

We are close to confirming the date and format of the expedition. The likely date is Summer 2000, after the end of school examinations

How will people be selected?

Group size is strictly limited by Canadian National Park rules, so the expedition is likely to consist of two - or possibly three - groups of ten. Places on the expedition will be limited, and it is possible that not all the staff and cadets who have expressed interest in the expedition will be able to go.

Selection policy has been discussed with the staff and cadets who have already attended training sessions, and all agree that expedition members must meet four essential criteria:

Commitment: as demonstrated by attitude, attendance at training courses, and personal fund raising efforts

Canoeing ability: handling a canoe is relatively simple on calm, flat water, but much harder when it is cold and windy on rough or moving water. All members must show that they can handle a fully-laden canoe in adverse weather conditions

Fitness: the expedition will be self-sufficient for several days, so members must be in good health, and fit enough for several hours paddling every day. The route will include short portages, which will require a certain amount of physical strength

Compatibility: most importantly, it is essential that all members have the temperament and personality to live closely with fellow team members for many days, in cramped and uncomfortable circumstances

Other factors like previous experience and age are less important, so we have not set a firm minimum age at this stage. However, younger applicants will need to prove a high level of parental support as well as meeting fully all the above criteria

What about training?

A great deal of training will be needed before this expedition, and some 20 training days have been scheduled for 1999 alone. Training will cover:

• Canoeing skills
• Campcraft and survival skills
• First aid, health & safety
• Fitness, stamina and strength
• Expedition skills

The main training activities have been scheduled into the Wing adventure training calendar for 1999, which should be issued to Squadrons by the end of the year

Who's organising the expedition?<

Flight Lieutenant John Smith - expedition leader / liaison with HQAC and HQ Herts & Bucks Wing

Flight Lieutenant Geoff Bowles - training officer, expedition planning, newsletter & website

Flight Lieutenant Tony Cunningham - chief canoeing instructor

Pilot Officer Andrea Glennon - expedition finances

Mr Allen Cox - canoe instructor, travel arrangements, fund raising

Mr John Gafney - canoe instructor, route planning

Cadet Warrant Officer Paul Cathrow - equipment

What happens next?

Canoe training will resume in March 1999, but there is much to do before then. We expect to finalise the date, format and route of the expedition within the next two months, and we need to confirm the travel arrangements and air fares. The team is also looking at sponsorship and other ways of raising money, and we need to consolidate the list of potential expedition members and streamline communications within the team

If you want to become involved it’s not too late. Contact Flt Lt Smith or Flt Lt Bowles as soon as possible for details, or to register your interest