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TheJourneyMongolia2016
Report
WestLancsScoutsRegisteredcharityno: 521712MemberoftheYoungExplorerTrust
Contents
Page
Maps2
Synopsisandobjectivesoftheexpedition3
Theexpeditionteam4
Introduction5
Training6
Logistics12
Medical17
Finance&fundraising18
Expeditionitinerary19
Reflectionsontheexpedition20
Conclusions27
Appendices30
Acknowledgements32
2
Google Earth
The horse trekking location
The strictly protected area!
The Journey
Canoe trip location
The Eg Gol
3
Synopsis
InJuly2016,after12monthsoftrainingandpreparation,ateamof13ExplorerScouts,1Networkmemberand5leadersjourneyedtoMongoliaandChinaOnthejourneytheteamgottoexperiencethelocalculture,attendajamboree,undertakeahorsetrekkingexpedition,summitaMongolianmountainandundertakeacanoejourney;beforereturninghomeviaatrainandbusjourneytoChina.HerewetooktheopportunitytoseesomeofthesightsinandaroundBeijing.Allofthiswasachievedbytravellinglongdistances,bymultipleformsoftransportovermanyhours;hencetheexpeditionreallydidliveuptoitsname‘TheJourney–Mongolia2106.’
Objectives
ToexploreremoteareasofMongoliabyhorse,footandcanoe
ToexperienceMongolianculture
Toencouragethepersonaldevelopmentoftheyoungpeopleontheexpedition
TomeetScoutsfromothercountries
TopromoteScouting.InapartoftheworldwhereScoutingisstill’new’orisunknown!
4
The Expedition team
Backrowfromlefttoright
CarolineOrrell(Eclipse)StuartDean(Leader)KieranHind(DeLaRoche)CallumFletcher(DeLaRoche)MaxEldershaw(Tigers)HenryVaughan(Paladins)OliverWilkinson‐Gray(Tarka)PatrickKelly(Tarka)MiaCulshaw(DeLaRoche)JackYates(Saints)JuliePaton(Leader)PhilHaworth(Leader)
Frontrowlefttoright
TomCorlett(BubbleFactor)JoeAshworth(Leader)LydiaMaun(Castleton)HollyMiller(Yeti)ElleClarke(Tarka)SueHaworth(Leader)NathanWilmott(PrestonNetwork)
5
Introduction
OnasunnyafternoonatSplashandDashinOctober2014JoeAshworth,StuartDeanandPhilHaworthsatinseakayaksonConistonWaterdiscussingthepossibilityofafutureexpedition.FollowingWestLancsScoutssuccessfulexpeditionstoGreenlandin2007and2012wewerekeentodevelopanexpeditionintheformofajourneyforanothercohortofExplorerScoutsandNetworkmembers.
Asaresult,inApril15weadvertisedandheldameetingforinterestedExplorerScoutsandNetworkmembers.Threepotentiallocationswerediscussedfortheexpedition;Iceland,theYukonandMongolia.
Eachwas‘championed’byapotentialleaderonthetrip,whogavelocationdetails,anindicationofwhattypeofexpeditionwecouldundertakethereandanapproximateindicationofcosts.Mongoliawasthepreferredlocation.
Afterfurtheradvertisingtheteamwasformed.Itconsistedof6leaders,1ScoutNetworkmemberand13ExplorerScouts.
Afterayearoftrainingtheteamwasreadytogo.Unfortunately,duetoillnessoneleader,AndyHeggie,hadtowithdraw,withonly2weekstogo.SoonJuly22ndwesetoutasagroupof19.Theitineraryfortheexpeditionisoutlinedonpage19
6
Training
Withapotentiallystrenuousexpeditionundertakingarangeofchallengesinfrontofusourmainobjectivewastoensurethatwewereallpreparedforthe“Journey”
Theaimofthetrainingprogrammewastoensurethewholeteamhadtheskillstolookafterthemselvesbasedontheneedsofthetripwhichweidentified(basedonouroriginalitinerary)as:
• Daytodayliving–tents&bivving,cooking,kit,self‐reliance,firstaid,expedition‘culture’.
• Horses–awarenessandbasictraining.
• Mountainwalk(MonkhSaridag)(3,450M)–Predictedrequirementsincludedsnowmountaineeringskills(iceaxe,crampons,ropes).
• Canoeskills&campingonawaterbasedexpedition.
• Projectplanning
Basedonthisatrainingschedulewasdevised
Event & Venue Date Objectives Targeted Splash&Dash,Coniston
3‐4Oct15 Initialteambuilding/evaluation Canoeskills Camping
HillWalking,PatterdaleHall
20‐22Nov15
Mountainskills Teamresilience Kitdiscussion Bivvies Communityprojectconcepts
SnowMountainWalk,LochEarnHeadScotland
22‐24Jan16
Mountainskillsincludingbasicsnowskills(iceaxe&crampons)
Personalkitindependence Knots Updateonprogramme
WildCampWeekend,LakeDistrict(MosedaleCottage)
5‐6March16
Mountainskills Navigation Lightweightcooking Teamresilience
MountainAdventureChallenge‐Coniston
9‐10April16 Teamindependence Navigation Campingskills
CanoeWeekend,Ullswater
7‐8May16 Canoeskills Resilience Groupcatering
HorseAwareness,Elswick June16 Awarenessofhorse“bitey”&kickybits
7
Skills Matrix
Theattachedskillsmatriceswereusedtoidentifydetailedtrainingobjectivesandfocuspoints.
Thecolourcodesystemhelpedtoidentifyareasofstrengthsandareasthatrequireddeveloping.
Allthe‘reds’wereaddressedbyteamtrainingandindividuals;theoutcomewasthattherewerenosignificantskillbasedissuesontheexpeditionitselfthatcouldnotbeaddressedbyrefreshertrainingatthatspecificpoint.
West Lancs Scouts Mongolia Journey - Skills Check Sheet
Codesn = No knowledge (Significant learning required)
s = Some knowledge (Experience rather than learning required)e = Experience & Knowledge (No significant learning required) - need to maintain skill
Pit
ch V
ario
us
Lig
htw
eig
ht
Ten
ts
Biv
vy c
on
stru
ctio
n
Use
mu
lti-
fuel
co
oke
rs
Ser
vice
mu
lti-
fuel
co
oke
rs
Co
ok
mea
l o
n
leig
htw
eig
ht
Un
der
stan
d c
amp
h
ygen
e
Pac
k a
Ru
cksa
ck
(Day
tri
p)
Pac
k a
Ru
cksa
ck
(Ove
rnig
ht
trip
)
Exp
erie
nce
of
mu
ltid
ay
exp
edit
ion
Nav
igat
ion
Fo
llo
w a
ro
ute
Nav
igat
ion
Rel
oca
te y
ou
r p
osi
tio
n
Nav
igat
ion
Tak
e &
Fo
llo
w
Co
mp
ass
Bea
rin
g
Fig
ure
Eig
ht
Bo
wli
ne
Clo
ve H
itch
Ital
ian
Hit
ch
Fre
nch
Pru
sik
Can
fit
an
d a
dju
st
ow
n c
ram
po
ns
Per
form
fie
ld
rep
airs
on
cr
amp
on
s
Can
fit
an
d a
dju
st
ow
n h
arn
ess
Ch
eck
& C
oil
R
op
es
Use
Ice
Axe
Use
of
Cra
mp
on
s
Ro
ute
ch
oic
e
Set
Up
a S
no
w
An
cho
r
Ro
pe
skil
ls t
o
assi
st j
ou
rney
L1 Stuart Dean e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e s e e e e e s sL2 Phil Haworth e e e n e e e e e e e e e e e n s e n s s e e s s sL3 Sue Haworth e s e n e e e e e s s s e e e n n n n e e n n n n nL4 Joe Ashworth e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e eL5 Andy Heggie e e e e e n n e n e s e e s n sL6 Julie Paton e e e s e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e2 Elle Clarke e s e e e e e e s s s s e n n n n n n e s n n s e s3 Tom Corlett e e e e e e e e s e e e n n s s n n n n n4 Mia Culshaw e e e e e e e e s e e e e n e n n n n s s n n s n s5 Max Eldershaw6 Callum Fletcher e e e s e e e e e e e e e s e n n n n s s n n s n s7 Kieran Hind e e s s e e e e s e s e e s e n n n n s s n n s n n8 Patrick (Paddy) Kelly9 Lydia Maun E E E E E E E E E E E E E S E N N N N N N N N N N N
10 Holly Miller e e e s e e e e e e s s e n e n n n n e s n n n n n11 Caroline Orrell e e e e e e e e e e e e e s e n n n n e s n n s n n
12 Henry Vaughan13 Nathan Willmott14 Oliver (Ollie) Wilkinson-Gray E S E E E E E E E E E E E E E S N S N E E S S S N N15 Jack Yates e e e s e e e e e e e e s s s n n n n s n n n n n n
Nam
e
Camp Skills Expedition Skills Knots Use of MountainEquipment Travel on Snow
Codesns
e
Paddling Skills (on flat water and gr
Pad
dle
20
mil
es
Tu
rnin
g
(ed
gin
g/s
wee
p
stro
kes)
Bra
cin
g
Fer
ry g
lid
ing
Bre
akin
g i
n/o
ut
Ste
erin
g
Imp
orv
ised
sa
ilin
g
Lau
nch
/lan
d i
n
dif
fere
nt
loca
tio
ns
Lin
ing
a b
oat
d
ow
nst
ream
Dra
w s
tro
kes
Bo
w d
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Pry
str
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s
Mo
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re
scu
es
Dee
p w
ater
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scu
es
Sel
f re
scu
e
To
win
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Cam
pin
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rom
a
can
oe
Lo
adin
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ca
no
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Po
rtag
ing
a
can
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Bas
ic n
avig
atio
n
BC
U 1
*
BC
U 2
*
FS
RT
Exp
erie
nce
of
G
rad
e 2
wat
er
L1 Stuart Dean e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e eL2 Phil Haworth e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e eL3 Sue Haworth e e s s s e s e s e s n n s s n e e e e e e n sL4 Joe Ashworth e e e e s e e e e e e s s e e e e e s e e e eL5 Andy HeggieL6 Julie Paton e e n e n e s e e1 Isobel (Izzy) Berry2 Elle Clarke e e e e e e e e e e s s e e e s s e e s e e n e3 Tom Corlett s s s s s s n s s s n n n n e s n s n s e s n s4 Mia Culshaw s s s s e e s s n s n n e e e e n n e e n n n n5 Max Eldershaw6 Callum Fletcher s s n n s s n n n n n n n n s s n n n s n n n n7 Kieran Hind s s n n n s n s n n n n n n n n n n n s n n n n8 Patrick (Paddy) Kelly9 Lydia Maun n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n s n n n n
10 Holly Miller e e e s s s n e e s n s n n s n s e s s n n n n11 Caroline Orrell n e s n e e n s n s n n n n s s n s n s n n n n12 Henry Vaughan13 Nathan Willmott14 Oliver (Ollie) Wilkinson-Gray15 Jack Yates s e n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n s n n n n
West Lancs Scouts Mongolia Journey - Skills Check Sheet
= No knowledge (Significant learning required)= Some knowledge (Experience rather than learning required)= Experience & Knowledge (No significant learning required) - need to maintain skill
Rescues Organisational skills Personal skill level
Nam
e
Codesnse
Kn
ow
fro
nt
&
bac
k
Ho
rse
care
, fe
edin
g &
w
ater
ing
Pu
ttin
g s
add
le
and
tac
k o
n h
ors
e
rid
e a
ho
rse
(wal
k, t
rot
and
b
asic
m
ano
euvr
es)
L1 Stuart Dean s n n nL2 Phil Haworth s n n nL3 Sue Haworth e e e eL4 Joe Ashworth sL5 Andy Heggie s n n sL6 Julie Paton s n n n2 Elle Clarke e s s e3 Tom Corlett e e s s4 Mia Culshaw e e s e5 Max Eldershaw6 Callum Fletcher s n n n7 Kieran Hind s n n n8 Patrick (Paddy) Kelly9 Lydia Maun S N N N
10 Holly Miller e e n s11 Caroline Orrell e e e e12 Henry Vaughan13 Nathan Willmott14 Oliver (Ollie) Wilkinson-Gray15 Jack Yates s n n n
Horses
Nam
e
West Lancs Scouts Mongolia Journey
= No knowledge (Significant learning required)= Some knowledge (Experience rather than learning required)= Experience & Knowledge (No significant learning required) - need to maintain skill
8
Training events
Splash&Dash
Attendance‐12from20(impactedbytheJamboreereunionweekend).Canoeing(Saturday)–agreattriponConistonWater,withsomeimpressivescenerycanoeinginthemistSplash&Dash(Sunday)–Theteamdynamicwas‘worrying’onthemountainwalkphaseastheyturnedbackaftermissingacheckpointratherthancompletingthislegofthecompetition.‘Resilience’wasidentifiedasacharacteristicthatwouldberequiredforaprolongedexpeditionwherethereareoften“bad”dayswherethistraitisdefinitelyrequired.Thisbecametheongoingtrainingthemeaswellasthedevelopmentofspecificskills.
PatterdaleHall–MountainSkills&Resilience
Attendance‐19from20
PatterdaleHallisagreatvenuetoholdaweekendtrainingevent.IndooraccommodationwhichisfullycateredwhichallowsleaderstohavemaximumtimetoengagewithScouts.(http://patterdalehall.org.uk/).
ThelongmountaindayonHelvellynviaStridingEdgewithanadditionaluphillsectionattheendofthedayupSt.SundayCrag,hitthemark.Thedayprovidedusallwiththeexperiencethatyoucanalwayskeepgoingifyouhaveto!
SaturdayeveningwehadtheMongoliaQuiz,abitoffunafteralongdayonthehill.
9
Sundaysawadiscussiononkitbasedontheissuedkitlist.Theemphasiswasonmaximisingtheversatilityofkitwhilstminimisingvolumeandweight.ThelatterbeingimportantbecausewewouldALLhavetocarryandmanoeuvrethiskitforeachlegofourjourney.
Scotland–LochEarnHead
Attendance‐20from20
BasedatLochEarnHeadScoutStation(http://www.lochearnheadscoutstation.org.uk/)thistrainingeventwastargetedatmountainwalkingsnowskills.The“Station”isaconvertedrailwaystationforcateringwithbunkroomstosleepin.Again,thisisagoodvenuewithplentyofopportunityforactivities.
BenVorlichandStucaChrion–Theweatherwasunseasonablywarmwithstrongwinds.Theteamstookonthechallengeofthesetwomountainsandcompletedthedayadmirably.Thesnowathighlevelwassoft,anddidnotrequireormakeitsensibletousecrampons.Againthiswasalongdayinthehillswithteamsfinishingthedayclosetoorinthedark.
Saturdayeveningfocussedonbriefingofinformation,visaapplications,and“theknottingchallenge”.Forthestarprizeofaheadtorchteamscompetedinagameofknottingcricket.Thisgamebroughtthecompetitiveedgeofallteammembers.ThewinnerwasTom,whoattheageof14putallotherstoshame!
BenMore–OntheSundayweawoketohigherwindsandrain.DespitethisweallsetouttoattemptBenMore(withtheexceptionofthosecarryinginjuries).Thewindwasverystrongandwithinacoupleofhoursitbecameclearthatitwasfoolishtocarryontowardsthesummit.Atacticalretreatbacktothevanswasperformed,andbyearlyafternoonwereallheadinghome.
Trainingoutcome–withtheexceptionsofcramponstrainingalltheobjectiveswereachieved,anditwasnoticeablethattherewasastrongsenseofateamspiritforming.
10
MosedaleWeekend
Attendance‐16from20
AweekendexpeditionintheLakeDistrictwiththeopportunitytobivvyoutsideMosedaleCottage(Bothy)http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/bothy‐details.asp?bothy_id=92)iftheweatherallowed.
Saturday–HartsoptoMosedaleCottage(11.3kmwith900mascent)
Sunday–MosedaleCottagetoGarburnRd(18kmwith800mascent)
Weather–winterconditionsunderfoot.Saturday‐cloudonsummitswithmoderatewind.Sunday–cloudfreeandlightwinds.
Thiswasatestingweekendfortheteam.Withthedaylightbeingshortmostteamsfinishedinthedark.Duetotheweatherbivvyingwascancelledandweusedthebothyforaccommodation.Sundaywasagreatmountainday.
BynowtheExplorershaddevelopedsignificantself‐relianceandresilience.Allyoungpeoplecompletedthefulltrip,andwereinhighspiritswhenweallarrivedatthefinish.
MountainActivityChallenge
Attendance–7from14
AweekendcompetingintheMACintheConistonandDuddonValleyarea.Thiswasatestoflightweightcampingandnavigationskillsover2days.
Theweatherwasidealsunnybutcool!
TheteamcamethirdintheSilversection.Notbadforascratchteam
11
Ullswater–Canoeing
Attendance–16from20(Examseasonimpact)
BasedoutofWatersideHouseCampsite,PooleyBridge(http://www.watersidefarm‐campsite.co.uk/)theweekendfocussedoncanoeing‐bothskillsandjourneying.
SaturdaywepaddledalmostthefulllengthofUllswatertoGlenriddingandbacktothecampsite.Lunchwasat“BarbequeBay”.Thisdaywasdefinitelyadayoftwohalves,downwindtoGlenridding,andintothewindonthereturnleg.
Thereturnlegwasdefinitelychallengingforall,especiallywhereUllswaternarrowsnearHowtown.
WehadorganisedgroupcookingintheeveningwherewehadversionsoflambhotpotinanticipationofeatingmuttoninMongolia.Allverytasty,butitdidhighlightthechallengeofaccommodatingavegetarianandtwospecialdietswithintheteam.
Sundaymorningwaspaddlingskillsandgames,aswellastryingoutaninflatablecanoesimilartooneswhichwouldmakeupourconvoyontheEgGol
Theweekendwasonceagainasuccess,andconfirmedhowourteamhadgelledtogether.
12
Logistics
Transport AfterlongflightstoUlaanBaatarviaIstanbul,withabriefrefuellingstopoverinKyrgystanwehadacoupleofdaysin ‘UB’.Hereweexperiencedthetaxisandridiculousroadtraffic,plusthecrazyfactthatanyonecanactasataxi,whichwasabitofasurprise!!ThebusjourneytoHatgalaftertheJamboreewas1000kmandtook17hoursWethenrodehorsesfor6daysThiswasfollowedby5daysofcanoeing.ThisendedwithusbeingshuttledtothetownofMoruninminibuses,onthe‘normal’dirttrackroad.Thiswasmademoreexcitingbythetorrentialrainfallandveryslipperyroadconditions!RetracingourroutetoUB,wehadafewdaysofflongjourneys;a3‐hourroundtriptotheChinggisKhanstatuewasfartoobrieftocount!
ItwasthenofftoChina.FirstanovernightsleepertraintotheMongolianbordertownofZamiinUud.Therewegotonabustothebordercrossing,whereittook2hourstoleavethecountry!
Thenonandoff thebus forabout1kmand intoChina.AfterbeingdroppedatErenhot, aChinesebordertown,wewaitedfortheovernightsleeperbus(3rowsofbunkbedsinacoach!!)toBeijing.OnceinBeijingwetravelledbyundergroundtothehostel.TheChinesetourssawseveralmorebusjourneysandatriponaboatattheSummerPalace.The expedition certainly lived up to its name as ‘The Journey,’ ",with our finalmode of transportbeingthemonorailtothedeparturegateatBeijingInternationalAirport!Wewouldhazardtoguessthatwetravelledthelongestdistanceandusedthemostvariedformsoftransport,comparedtoanyotherWestLancsScoutsexpeditiontodate.
13
Accommodation Duringthemanyphasesoftheexpeditionwesleptinawiderangeofplaces.Whilsttravellingweslepton‘oldfashioned’sleepertrains,fourtoacarriagewithfolddownbeds.Onthesleeperbuswesleptinbunkbedsonacoach!However,forthemainsectionsofthetrip,wheninatownwestayedinahostelorhotel,sometimestherewasnotmuchdifferencebetweenthese.AlldidhaveEuropeanstyletoiletswithwarm(ish)showerswhichwasanicesurprise!Thesewere:
UBtheIdrisguesthouse‐dormitorybunkbedtypeaccommodation,sharedbathrooms. MorunthehotelTenkhleg–roomsof2orallen‐suite. UB,onourreturn,HotelAngara‐bunkbedsinroomsof4‐6 Beijing‐LeoCourtyard‐roomsof2or3allen‐suite.
PriortoandimmediatelyaftertheexpeditionwestayedinagercampinHatgal.ThesewereamixofwoodenandtraditionalGers.Wehad4ofthemthatsleptuptosix.Whenatthejamboreeandonexpeditionwesleptintentsingroupsof2or3.Thesealsoformedthebasisofthecookingteams.Onacoupleofoccasionstentteamsdecidedtobivvyoutunderthetarps.
Food OnourarrivalatUBwehadourfirstmeetingwithChris, (ourlocalEnglishcontactfromGoWildernessMongolia),whorathersurprisedusbygivingusbackalargeamountofcash!InsteadofbuyingfoodforusandtellinguswherewecouldeatinUB,hegaveusthechoiceandthecash.
TheExplorershadtochoose3volunteers,onetolookafterthemealmoney(Paddy),onetolookaftertheexpeditionfoodmoney(Jack)andonetolookafterthetaximoney(Tom).Theyhadtoallocatebudgetstoteams,collectthechangeandreceipts,andgenerallymakesurethatwespentthemoneywiselyduringourtimeinMongolia.
Hatgal ger camp
14
Thissystemworkedreallywell,helpedbythefactthatChrishaddonehisresearchonlocalrestaurantsandhadworkedoutroughlyhowmuchwewouldneedateachone!Itisawayoforganisingfoodandmoneythattheleadershipteamthoughtworkedreallywellasitgavetheteamtheresponsibilityforitall.Wemaywellusethisideaourselvesinfutureexpeditions.
IntheGercamp,asattheJamboree,wewerecentrallycateredfor.
InUBwedinedoutatrestaurantswechose,paidforbygroupfunds.
InMoruntherewerebuffetmealsatthehotelandgroupsweregiventheirowncashtobuyluncheswith.
Forthemoreadventurousamongstusforlunchmealsyoucouldexperienceaguan,alocalcafé.NoEnglishspokenorwritten,pointingatpicturesandsimplewordssufficed.Ononeoccasionweatealunchmealfor3forlessthan£2!
Forboththeexpeditionphasesofthetripfoodteamswentoutandboughtwhattheywantedtoeatfromlocalsupermarkets.Theonlyrestraintwasthatweaskedtohaveveryfewglassbottles/containersforthehorseridingphasesoastominimisetheriskofthembreakingandinjuringthehorses.
Atypicalday’smenu
Breakfast–warmdrink,porridge,cerealbars,biscuits
Lunch–noodles,breadorcreamcrackerswithcheese/pate/tinnedfish,nutsandchocolate.
Tea–apasta,riceormashbasedmealwithmeatandasauce.Cakeorbiscuits,driedfruitallwasheddownwithawarmdrink.
Snackfood–trailmix/nuts/sweets
15
Forthecanoephasewealsoboughtsomeflourandmixeditwiththegroupsuppliesofmilkpowderandsugarandmadebannockoneevening
Cookingwasongasstoveswhichprovedtobealittletemperamentalattimes.Thekeywastoletthemwarmupslowly.
Wehad3specialdietswithusonthetrip.Thevegetarianhadnoproblemswithfood,therewereenoughchoicesavailable.FortheFODmapandceliacdietsfoodwasmuchmoredifficultastheknowledgeaboutthemwaslimited.
Communications In thetownsandcities therewasnoneedfor thesatellitephoneas therewas frequentlyastrongmobilephonesignalandWi‐Fiaccesstotheinternet.However,itwouldhavebeenrequiredintheremoteareasofKhovsgolshouldtheneedhavearisen.Wetookanumberofsolarpanelsandstoragedeviceswithusforpowerneeds.Thesewereusedforcameras, phones and Ipods and worked well and no one ever seemed short of power. We evenrechargedthehorsewranglers’mobilephonesforthemontheridingphase!However,onourreturnflightfromChinaanydeviceorsolarpanelwithoutitscapacitywrittenonitwasconfiscated!
The cause of our frequent slowdowns and stops, both on the roads and on the river journeys.
Seemingly endless open space!
16
Medical
AsBCUcoachesandMountainLeadersfouroftheleadershipteamhaveregularfirstaidupdatesandhaveaqualificationuptoatleasttheequivalentofREC2levelasaminimum.Additionally,fouroftheteamhavecompletedREC4and5traininginthepast.
Foranyseriousmedicalconcerns,wehadorganisedforDrAlisonChamberstobeourUKbased‘oncall’doctorforthedurationofthetrip.Alisonhasawiderangeofexperiencewithexpeditionmedicinesohasafirst‐handknowledgeofthetypeoflocationwewereworkingin.ChrisCartwright,our‘maninMongolia’provideduswithdetailsofthelocationofpotentialmedicalfacilitiesandhadallthenecessarycontactstoevacuateustothemshouldtheneedarise.Intermsoffirstaidequipmentthemajorissuewithajourneyingexpeditionisthelackofspace.Sowedevisedaplanwherebyeachpersonwouldtaketheirownindividualfirstaidkitwhich,whenpooledtogether,wouldprovideasizableamountofkit.Thismeantthatthegroupfirstaidkit,aLifeventureMountainLeaderone,withafewextrapainkillersandwounddressings,waskepttomanageableproportions!WhilstwithChriswealsohadaccesstohismedicalsuppliesAlistofthefirstaidequipmentcanbeseeninappendix2Therewenoseriousillnessorinjuryincidentsontheexpedition.Duringthehorseridingandcanoeingphases13people(bothleadersandparticipants)sufferedfromvomitingand/ordiarrhoeaatsomestage.Thistendedtolastfor24hoursandledtosomepeoplehavinganuncomfortabledaystravelling.Thesepeopleshowedgreatresilienceatthistimeandmustbecommendedfortheir‘getonwithit’attitude.Awholecookingteamortentgroupwasneverallillatthesametimesowediscountedthenotionthatthiswasa‘bug’goingroundtheteam.Themostusedmedicationforthiswasimmodiumandsomeparticipantsweregivendiorolytedrinks.Theonlyothermedicationthatwaswidelyusedwasantihistaminetabletsforsomeratherinflamedinsectbitesthatmanyoftheteamsufferedfromatonetimeoranotherduringthetrip.Theonlyotherissuethatarosewassunburn.Therewasverylittleshadefromthesunwhenitwas‘out’.Everyonesoonlearnedtoapply(andreapply)sunscreenandtoactuallycoverup!!Thebestprotectionagainstthisturnedouttobethetarpsthatwetookwithus.Therewereenoughforonebetweentwo,andgroupsregularlyputtheseupjustasmuchasshelterfromthesunastheydidfromtherain.
17
Participants20(19) Actual Budget +vebetter‐veworse
Income
Participants'Contributions 57000Donations 334LeslieSellGrant 500Garmentsandbadgeincome 284.55Deposit(nonparticipant) 250
Totalincome £58368.55
ExpenditureAirFares 17556 20000 +2444ScoutInsurance 1140 690 ‐460GoMongolia 23220 23500 +280Jamboree 1259 0 ‐1259Chinacosts 5295.84 4000 ‐1295.84Visas 3780 0 ‐3780Trainingweekends 1713.62 2500 +786.38Garmentsandbadges 774.12 500 ‐274.12MisccostsUK 98.01 100 ‐1.99Miscexpeditioncosts 774.73 900 +225.27Satphone+waterpurifier 212.21 200 ‐12.21Hireof1stBroughtonHQ 30 50 +20Kitreplacement 38.39 100 +61.61
Gearhire–Mountaineeringgroup 300 Paddlesportgroup 251.63 Participantrefunds 1425Non‐participantrefunds 500
Totalexpenditure 58368.55 52540 ‐3265.90
Finance
Statementofaccounts
18
Fundraising
Itwashopedthatwecouldreducesomeofthecoststoindividualsbyencouragingtheteamtodosomefundraising,bothasagroupandontheirown.Thestartingpointwasameetingtogainasmanyideasaswecould.Wesplitintogroupswithadifferentfocusforeachgroup.Asaresultofthisafundraisingdiaryofeventswasmade.InformationofanyfundraiserswasagreedtobesharedontheFacebookpage.Someofthefundraisersthattookplaceconsistedof:Anassaultcourse,chocolatebingo/bingo,carbootsales,cakesales(lots),Christmasmarketsandbagpacks.Thetwomostsuccessfulfundraisingactivitieswere:TescoBagPacktotaling£1051.00andthentheChocolateBingototaling£632.50. AbigthankyoutoTescoandMorrison'sforgivingusdatestoraisemoneyintheirstores.Thegroupfundraisingcompletedandrecordedraised£3,614.80,whichwassharedoutequitablyamongstthosewhohadhelped. Ontopoftheactivefundraisingtheparticipantswereinformedofpossibleplacestoapplyforgrants,theseincluded:WestLancsScouts,LCC,PartnershipatSouthRibble,TheShephardStreetTrust,BettertogethercommunitybidsfundandtheScoutinternationalfund.Someparticipantssuccessfullygainedfundingfromsomeofthesesourceswhichtotalled£1,128.00
Forpreviousexpeditionswehadappliedforgroupgrantsfromvarioussources,butwewerenothopefulofbeingabletoevenactuallyapplyfortheseaswedidnotfitthenecessarycriteria.However,withacoupleofweekendstogoontheexpeditionweweredelightedtohearthatwehadreceivedagrantfromtheLeslieSellFund
19
Date Itinerary for: The Journey - Mongolia 2016
July
22 1 DepUK Aeroplane
23 2 ArrMongolia11:05 Transfertocitycentrehostel Idrisguesthouse
24 3 Ulaanbaatar Acclimatisation,foodshoppingetc. Idrisguesthouse
25 4 Jamboree
MongolianScoutsJamboree
Tents
26 5 Jamboree Tents
27 6 Jamboree Tents
28 7 DrivetoKhovsgol Earlydepartfortheroadjourney GerCampB
29 8 HorseandFoot1
Horsetrekwithhorsesupporttoahighcamp,attemptalocalpeakthenhorsetrekout.Circularroute.
Tents
30 9 HorseandFoot2 Tents
31 10 HorseandFoot3 Tents
Augu
st
1 11 HorseandFoot4 Tents
2 12 HorseandFoot5 Tents
3 13 HorseandFoot6 GerCampB
4 14 Rest/contingencyday Incaseofdelays/Reflectiontime GerCampB
5 15 CanoeJourney1
JourneydowntheEgGol(river)bycanoe.Supportedbyvehicle
Tents
6 16 CanoeJourney2 Tents
7 17 CanoeJourney3 Tents
8 18 CanoeJourney4 Tents
9 19 CanoeJourney5 HotelinMorun
10 20 Rest/contingencyday Incaseofdelays/Reflectiontime HotelinMorun
11 21 ReturntoUlaanbaatar Earlydepartfortheroadjourney HotelAngara
12 22 Ulaanbaatar Restn'relaxation HotelAngara
13 23TraintoBeijing(departUB08:00)–stopatborderatZamiinUud
GWMprovisionendsherewithlunch O/nighttrain
14 24BustoBeijing(leaveErenhotat16:00) WLSprovisionstartshere O/nightbus
15 25 ArriveBeijing05:00Restn'relaxation,GreatWall,TiananmenSquare,ForbiddenCity,shopping,PekingDuckRestaurant…
Hostel
16 26 Beijing Hostel
17 27 Beijing Aeroplane
18 28 DepartBeijing00:10‐ReturnUK09:40
20
Reflections on the expedition
Ulaan Baator and the Taxis
Thefirstthingwenoticedaboutthecityaswetravelledintoitwasthatpeoplewhohadahousealsohadageroutsideaswell.Thehousesgavewaytohighrisebuildingsmanyofwhichseemedemptyorunfinished.Itturnsoutthatmanypeoplecannotaffordthemandeveniftheycouldthereisnotenoughpoweravailableinthecitytolightandheatthem.
ThetrafficwasverybusyandwediscoveredthatMongoliansdrovetheircarsliketheyridetheirhorses,oftenbeingveryclosetogetherandoccasionallybrushingupagainsteachother!
Itwasalsoalittlesurprisingtofindthatanyonewithacarcanbeataxi!Youwouldjustholdoutyourhandanddriverswouldpullup;thenourMongoliantranslatorwouldhagglewiththedrivertogetittoa‘sensible’feeofaround3,000Togrogwhichisjustover£1.
The Jamboree.
Thesiteforthejamboreewasarounda45minutecoachjourneyoutofUBattheNairamdalInternationalChildren’sCentre.
Thecampsiteitselfwasalongstretchoflandnexttotheroad,andwewereinthesubcampfurthestawayfromthecampcentre.Althoughthereweretranslatorshalfofthetimewewerenotsureofwhatwasgoingon!!WedecidedthatthelocalScoutsranonMongoliatime,whichwastheallottedtime,plusorminusatleasthalfanhour.
Eachmorningstartedwithanexercisesession,wewerenotsureiftheseweresupposedtobeforeveryone,buttheywereasurpriseforusonthefirstmorning!ScoutinginMongoliaisstillrelativelynewandmanyoftheactivitiesfeltmorelikeaschoolexperienceratherthananactiveScoutingone.Manyactivitiesentailedlisteningandwatchingratherthandoing.Sowejoinedinwherewecould,andmadeourownentertainment,the3‐3drawagainstMongolianScoutsatfootballbeinganexample.
Facilitieswereratherbasicwithonly8trenchstyletoiletsforthewholecamp,andwatersupplylimitedtoaboutadozentapsattheotherendofourfield.Itwasalsoveryhot!
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Luckilywewereprepared.Wemadeashelteroutoftarpsstrungbetween2pioneeredtripodframes,sowecouldallsitinitintheshade.Wehadwaterbottleswithusfortheexpeditions,andoneofourlargewaterbagsweturnedintoashower,locatedinsideoneofthetripodscoveredintarps.Theonlyshoweronthecampsite!Afterbuildingthisstructurethesubcampchiefthoughtwewereexpertsonpioneeringandaskedustomakea‘suspended’flagpole.StrangethingwasitturnedoutwewereexpertsandJoeledusinbuildingone!
WefoundtheMongolianslovedtheirspeechesandtheywentonandonandon!!Thiswastrueoftheopeningceremony,inwhichJackdeliveredourspeech,orinoursubcamp.ItwasagoodjobwehadLydiawithusassheturnedouttobeourmainspeechwriter,somethingthatwedidnotrealisewe
needed!
Oursubcampneverseemedtohaveflagbreakbuthadameetingjustbeforebedtimewherelotsofnoticesweregivenoutandthenwelinkedhandsandsangasong….welleveryoneelsedidwetendedtomimeandrepeatphrasesthatsoundedlike‘hardassnow’tous!
Ahighlightofourtimewasonthelasteveningwhenweran3‘bases’foroursubcamp.Weplayedgamesandtaughtthemthe’hokeycokey’.Therewasmorelaughteronthesubcampthateveningthananywhereelseonsite
The bus journeys (17 hours and 15 hours) to and from Hatgal
WesetofffromthejamboreesiteboundforHatgalat6:00forwhatturnedouttobe17‐hourbusjourney.
It’samazingwhatExplorerScoutscandotofillalongday.Tostartwithmostofthemsleptupuntilthelunchstop,averytastyChinesemealinErdenetthefirstandlastbigtownbeforeHatgalourdestination.Infact,themealwassonicewewentthereagainonthereturnjourney!Afterlunchwegotholdofthebusmicrophone.OnemicrophonexabusofExplorerScouts=hoursoffun!WestartedwithakaraokesessionandthenfollowedupwithAwards’.Lydia,ourMC,madeupdifferentAwardswhichweallvotedforlike‘Coupleofthecoach’(whichOllieandPaddywon.)Thiswasfollowedupwithaquiz.
Therestofthetripsawcards,musicandmoresleeping.Althoughifyouwereonthebackseatstherucksackskeptfallingonyourheadeverytimethebuswentoverabump–whichwasaboutevery10minutes!Thiswasnothelpedbythefactthatallvehicles,
22
includingours,swervedallovertheroadtoavoidlargepotholes!Luckilyforustheroadsweretarmackedupuntilthelast200mwhichwasadirttrackuptothegercamp.
Thereturnjourneyafterthetwo‐weekexpeditionwasonlyshorterby2hoursbecausewestartedclosertothecapital.After2weeksonexpeditiontherewasalotmoresleeping!Thefavouritegameofthispartofthetripwasbuckaroo,placinglotsofrandomitemsonsleepingpeoplewithoutwakingthemup.
Horse trekking journey
Thestartofthehorsetrekkingwasslightlydelayedasthewranglerscouldnotfindsomeofthehorses;notsurprisingreallyastheylivewildfor8monthsoftheyear!Thismeansthattheyareabitonthe‘sensitive’sideandwewerewarnedthattheymaybeinclinedtoboltoffatanyloudnoiseorsuddenmovement,andmayevenkickorbiteus!Thismadeuswaryaroundthemtostartwithtosaytheleast!
AswesetoutthoughtheMongolianforestsandtheacrossthehillsonour6‐daylongride,theonly‘training’wehadhadwas5minutesonahorsethepreviousday.Goodjobthehorsesknewwhattheyweredoing!!Itwasarealcrosscountryexpedition,ridingacrossvalleys,alongdryriverbedsandovermountainpasses.
Overthenextfewdayssomeofusnamedourhorses,astheMongoliansdonotdothis.NeddieandJimmyweretwoofthemostmemorablemounts!Wefoundthatthehorsestendedtowalkinfamilygroups,madelotsofnoisesfrombothendsandsometimeswalkednexttoeachotherandjostledtheriderastheyseemtoforgetwewerethere.Olliealsolearned,onmorethanoneoccasion,thatifhedidnotslowhishorsesdown,hewouldbeledbyawranglerbywhatwenicknamedthe‘leadinglineofshame’.
23
Campingsitesweredeterminedbythewatersupplyavailable.Eacheveningwecouldonlypitchthetentsafterthebestgrazinggroundforthehorseshadbeendetermined.
Thewranglerscookedonfireseachnightandsupplementedtheirfoodsupplybygoingoutandhuntingmarmot.Eachmorningwewereupbeforethewranglersandinvariablyhadtowaitforthem
topackthehorsesforaboutanhourbeforewesetoff.
Onthethirddaywewereonlyonthehorsesfortwohoursasthatwasourhillwalkday.Itwasveryhotaswesetoffandwewerewalkingupthefirsthill,whileDali(oneofthewranglers)marchedpastusandprettymuchspeedwalkedthewholewayup.Atthetoptheviewswereamazing!Afteralatelunchwesplitintotwogroupswithhalfthepartygoingtoclimbthenearesttallesthill,whichturnedouttobeat2772metres
Thenextfewdayssawanumberofteammemberscomingdownwithd&v.Thoseaffectedshowedgreatresilienceinjustgettingonwithit,despitefeelinguncomfortable.
Theweatherwassurprisinglysimilareachday.Acoolstart,thenthesunwouldinvariablycomeoutuntillateafternoon.Thenitwouldcloudoverandtherewouldbethunderstorms.SometimestheypassedbyinnearbyvalleyotherdaystheyhitThehorsetrekkingwasanincredibleexperienceforusallandexceptforMax,whohadonehorsesitdownandrollonitssidewithhimon,andanothercollapsetoitskneessohecouldjustwalkoffit,therestofushadhorseswhobehavedwelltowardsus,ifnotalwaystoeachother!
24
The canoe journey and the ger family
ThisphaseofthejourneysawuspaddlingdowntheEigGoltheriveratthebottomofKhovsgolLake.Wewerepaddlingin4canoes,4inflatablecanoesandoneinflatableraft,withtheequipmentbeingtransportedinChris’slargeoffroadvehicle,whichmetupwithuseachevening.Theriverhadafewgrade2rapidsbutwasveryfastflowing.Aswepaddledalongthevalleywegotmanystaresfromthe‘locals’,apparentlycanoeingisnotabigthinginMongolia.Therewerealsolotsofanimalsandeverysooftenwewouldhavetobackpaddlewhilstwewaitedforaherdofyaks
orhorsestogetoutoftherivertoallowustogetpast.Therewereonlyafewcapsizes,JulieandDandelion(ourinterpreter)seemedtoenjoytheoddswimthemost.WesawmoreofMongoliannomadiclifestylealongtheriver.Wesawovoosandshamensites.Anovooisashrinewithreligioussignificance,anditistraditionaltowalkroundthem3times(or108!)inaclockwisedirection.Ononeofthedayswestoppedatasitewithanearbygercampandmetthefamilythatlivedthere.ThisdaywascertainlyaneyeopenerintohowhalfofthepopulationofMongolialivetheirlivesEveryonelivesingers,whicharearoundtentstructurewhichcanbemovedfromplacetoplacewhenandwherepeoplechose.Inmanycasesthewholefamilywillliveinonegerandthisiswheretheysleep,cook,playandwheretheyspendmostoftheirtime.Thegershadafewbasicruleswehadtofollow‐
Don’tsteponthethresholdwhenyouenterthemaindoor
Don’tbangyourheadwhenyouenterthemaindoor
Don’tpassorwalkthroughthetwocentralpoles.
Thefamilykeptyaks,cattle,goatsandsheep,whichappearedtoroamalltogetheronthesurroundinghillsinlargeherds.
Mostofthefoodcamefromtheseanimalssoitwasdairyandmeatbasedproduce.
25
Wehadagoatmilkingnaks(femaleyaks)andTom’sexperienceofgrowinguponadairyfarmmeantthatwewerenottotallyshownupasnotbeinganygoodatthis.Themilkwasboiledupandtastednice,asdidthebutter.However,thewheyofthemilkisdriedintoasolidblockcalledarrolThishadanacquiredtaste!
Thefamilyslaughteredasheepforustoeatwiththem.Afterselectingtheanimal,itwasrolledonitsbackandwithoutanyfussacutwasmadeinitschestintowhichahandisinserted.Theaortaisthenpulledofftheheartandtheanimaldiesveryquickly.Needlesstosaynoteveryonewatchedthis,butitwasinterestingtoseethatnothingwaswasted,anditwasvery‘clean’.Oneofthemenwhokilledandbutcheredthesheephadawhitetshirtonatthestartandattheend…itwasstillcleanandwhite!
Theresultinghorhogafterthiswasverytasty,butitwasstrangethattheycookpotatoesandcarrotswholeandthenpassthemaroundinthisstatetoo!
Thateveningwewerevisitedby2youngboys,noolderthan10,fromadistantger.Theyhadgallopedoffroundinguptheirfamilies’herdofhorsesandcamebackpastusshowingoffafewtrickslikestandingupontheirhorses.
Trains and buses to China
Thetrainarrivedontimeandwasverylong,with26longsleepercarriagespulledbytwolargelocomotives.
ItwasaproperHogwartsExpresstypetrainontheinsidewithseparatecompartmentsforfourpeople.Theyhadoldfashioneddropdownbunkbedsandsomepeoplewhowereonthetopbunkscontemplatedthechancesoffallingoff,ifthetrainstoppedsuddenlyinthenight.Needlesstosaythisdidnothappen!
InthemorningwewoketowatchthesunriseovertheGobiDesertaswerolledtowardstheborder.
Oncetherewehadtogeteverythingoffasfastaspossiblebecausethetraindon’tstopforlong.Thenwehadtofindthecoachtocrosstheborder.IttookustwohourstoleaveMongolia.
OnceweeventuallygotintoChina,aftersuccessfullyshamingalocalfromtryingtopushintothequeueattheborder;wearrivedatErenhotbusstationinnorthernChinatowaitforourlateafternoonbustoBeijing.
26
Itwasaroastinghotdayoutsidesowesetup‘camp’inacoolwaitingroom.Herewemostlyslept,playedcardsandreadbooks,towhileawaythehours
Whenweboardedthebusat4:30wewerealittlesurprisedthatitwasabuswithbeds!Itdidnothaverecliningchairsaswewereexpectingbuthadthreerowsofbeds;twodowneachsideandoneinthemiddleofthecoach.Thiswasaquieterjourney,someofusplayedcardgamesand/ortalkedbutmostofuscaughtuponsomesleep.
Thissleepwasdisturbedbyastopforthetoilet,whichwasjustthreesmellyholesinthegroundwitha3ftdividingwallinbetweeneachone,nocubicleordoors.Thatisenoughsaidaboutthatexperience!
Beijing.
Wearrivedinthecityearlyinthemorningandusedtheveryefficient,andcheap,undergroundtofindourhostel.Afterpassingthreedifferent‘Leo’sHostel’s,wefinallyarrivedat‘Leo’sCourtyard’andheadedstraightfortheshowers.Afterwewereallfinallyclean,wemetourtourguide,Jenny,whotookustoafamousPekingduckrestaurantforlunch. ThiswasagreatexperienceforeveryoneasweallgottotrynewandinterestingtraditionalChinesefoods.However,onefooditemwealltastedbutcouldnottellwhatitwas;afterlaterbeingtoldtheywereducksfeet,wewishedwehadn’tasked!!
Forthelastpartofourjourneywebecamerealtouristsaswevisitedthesitesinandaroundthecity.
OndayoneafterourmealweheadedtotheSummerPalacewhereJennytoldusthestoryofEmpressDowagerCixiandhowshebecameanEmpressonthebusonthewaythere.WearrivedattheSummerPalacetoseethebeautifulKunmingLakescatteredwithdragonboatsandsurroundedbybeautifulredandgoldtemples.Wethenwalkedaroundthepalace,learningaboutthelifeoftheempressandthemeaningsbehindthearchitecture,followedbyashortrideacrossthelakeonadragonboat.
The Forbidden city
27
Afterleavingthepalace,weheadedtotheOlympicPark,fromthe2008Olympic,stoseethestadiums.Inreality,itwasusthatbecamethetouristattractionaswewereaskedbyalotofpeopletotakephotosandselfieswiththem.Someofuswereevenindividuallypulledasideforphotos.Ithinkit’ssafetosaythateveryoneenjoyedtheirmomentsof‘fame’!
AfterdinnerwemadeourwaytotheRedTheatrefortheKungFushow,‘TheLegendofKungFu’.Weexpectedittobeacouplemenfightingeachother,wheninrealityitwasanincredibleshowthattoldastory,shownthroughmartialarts,danceandanamazingset
DaytwoinBeijingbeganwithusfindingsomewheretohavebreakfast.Wefoundalittlecaféthatservedsugarypastriesanddimsum.ThenwebeganourjourneytothegreatwonderthatisTheGreatWallofChina.Afteracouplehours’drive,wefinallymadeittotheancientsite.Webeganattower1andhiked6km,in350+heat,alongthewallfromJinshanlingtoSimataitotower22.Theviewwasincredibleanditwasalmosttooamazingtoevencontemplatewherewewereandwhatweweredoing!Thatevening,wewalkedaroundBeijing,embracingthenightlife,andfoundarestaurantforourfinaldinnerinChina.
OurthirdandfinaldayinBeijingbeganwithusvisitingtheTempleofHeaven,followedbyTiananmenSquareandtheForbiddenCity,wherewetookmanygroupphotos.TheForbiddencitywasextremelybusyandpackedwithaseaofselfiesticksandcameras.Afterexploringthevastancientcity,wewalkeduptoatempleonahillthatoverlookedBeijingandtheforbiddencityanditwasonlyinthismomentthatwerealisedhowbigtheforbiddencitywas!Onourwaydown,wepassedthroughaparkthathadmovingmodelsofgiantinsectsbeforegoingtolunch.Wehaddumplingsforlunchinacafépopularamongsttouristswherethewallsweresignedbycustomersfromallovertheworld.HerewedecidetoleaveourmarkinChinabysigningallournamesaroundtheredroseofLancashire.
28
Conclusions
Training OverallthetrainingprogrammeappearedtogowellbasedonourviewofthetrainingneedspriortotheExpedition.Havingreturnedinwasclearthatwithfewexceptionseveryonewaswellequippedtocopewiththedemandsof’’TheJourney’.Wehadhighlightedresilienceasanimportantattributeforallofus.Whilstnoneofthedaysonthejourneywereasphysicallydemandingassomeofourtrainingdays,thereweredayswhenillnesscombinedwiththechallengeofthedaywasanissue.Evenonthesedays,theindividualsimpactedduginandgotonwithitwiththesupportoftheteam.Andtheoverallobjectiveforeachlegwasnotimpacted.Expedition Theseareperhapsbestoutlinedbysummarisingourfindingsbasedonourinitialobjectives.ToexploreremoteareasonMongoliabyhorse,footandcanoe.WeachievedthisinourexpeditionphaseinnorthernMongoliainandaroundtheKhovsgolregion.Thissectionofthejourneycertainlyhadusalloutofourcomfortzoneattimes.Formanyofusthiswasthefirsttimeonahorse,nevermindgoingforanydistanceonone!Allofthehorsetrekkingandwalkingwascompletedatanaltitudeofover1500m,eventhoughfromthephotographsitdoesnotlookit,withwidevalleysandroundedhilltopsdominatingtheviewsToexperienceMongoliancultureWecertainlyhadagood‘taste’ofMongolianculture,bothliterallyandinamoregeneralsense.Seereflectionssectionpages24&25Thereisagreatcontrastbetweenthecitydwellersandeveryoneelse!Intheruralareaspeoplestilllivenomadiclifestylesandafencewasararesightaspeopleroamwheretheywish.Thesepeoplefocusonlookingaftertheirherdsandlivingasimplelife,althoughmanypeopleseemtohavemotorbikesaswellashorses.Thissimplewayoflifeiscertainlyacontrasttoourownlives!Eventhoughthegerfamilyhadverylittletheywereonlytoohappytosharewhattheyhad
29
withus,andwereobviouslyveryproudoftheirheritageandwayoflife.Thereisafullrangeoffoodinthesupermarketsasathome,howevertheMongoliansseemtoliketheirbasiclamb,beefanddairyproductsdieteatenwithnoodlesorrice.Itisdoubtfulthatanyofuswilleverhavea‘fresher’mealthanwehadatthegerfamilycamp,fromwalkingaroundtobeingontheplateinabout4hours!ToencouragepersonaldevelopmentoftheyoungpeopleontheexpeditionOverthecourseofthetrainingandexpeditionwesawnumerouschangesintheteam,bothinindividualsandasagroup.Everybodyrosetothephysical,andmental,challengesthatwereexperiencedduringourmonthlongtripalongwayfromhome.Teammemberssupportedandlookedaftereachotherwhensomeonewasstrugglingphysicallyorfeelingill.Whengiventheopportunitytolead,beitlookingafteraspectsofthebudget,makingandgivingspeeches,ororganisingsongsandgamestoentertainotherScouts,thegrouprespondedmagnificentlytodowhateverwasaskedofthem.Thiswasusuallydonewithasmileandlotsofgoodhumour.Everyonealsodevelopednewskills,beittheabilitytorealisewhycertainknotsneedtobetied,toridingahorsetotryingtointeractwithpeoplewhodon’tspeakyourlanguageoryoutheirs!Onourtravelsthegroupalsogottoseehowotherpeopleliveandperhapshavecometorealisehowluckytheyaretoliveastheydoandtobeabletotravelandvisitsuchfarflungplaces.TomeetScoutsfromothercountries
WeweretheonlyEuropeansonthejamboreesowedidratherstandout.AlthoughmanyoftheMongolianswererathershytostartwith,bythetimeofourdeparture3dayslatertheExplorerswerebeingtreatedlikefilmstars!ThewayofrunningScoutsisratherdifferentinMongoliawithalotmoremarchingandthefactthattheycallleadersteacherssaidalotabouttheirapproach.OnthelasteveningtheExplorersran3games‘bases’fortheMongolianScouts.Thiswasoneofthehighlightsofthejamboree.Everyonehadgreatfunjoining
inandtheyhadaleaving‘do’forus.AtthistimemanyMongolianssurprisedourExplorerswithsmallgifts.TopromoteScouting,inapartoftheworldwhereScoutingisstill’new’orisunknown!Aswetravelledaroundwedidgetnoticed,mainlybecausewestoodoutsomuch.Peoplecannothavemissedthefactthatweworeourneckerswhilsttravelling;andafewaskedwhattheystoodfor.WheneverthishappenedweendeavouredtoexplainwhatScoutingwasallabout.WhensightseeinginChinalotsofChinesetouristswantedtohavetheirpicturestakenwithoneormoreofus.Infact,attheOlympicparkforabout10minutesweseemedtobethemainattraction.SolotsofpeoplehavephotosofBritishScoutswithoutevenrealisingit!
30
Appendix1:Equipmentlists
PersonalWalking/HorseKit
Itemneeded No
MountaineeringBoots(3/4season) 1
Gaiters* 1
LinerSocks(thinwickinglayer) 3
Socks(thickwoolorsking) 3
Underwear(wicking) 3
Thermaltrousers(wickinglayer) 1
MountainTrousers 1
Shortsleevebaselayer 2
Longsleevemidlayer 2
OuterFleece–totravelin 1
WaterproofsJacket 1
WaterproofsTrousers 1
DuvetJacket* 1
ThermalLinerGloves 1
Fleece/WoolGloves(windproof) 1
ExpeditionMitts/Gloves 1
FleeceHat/Buff 1
SunHat 1
SpareBootLaces* 1
Sunglasses 1
Suncream 1
UVLipBalm 1
IceAxe 1
WaterContainer(s)‐total2litres 1
PersonalcampingKit
Itemneeded
80LRobustBarrelBag Drybags‐Varioussizes(tokeepkitdry) 30‐40litrerucksack Sleepingbag(4season)inadrybag Sleepingbagliner(optional) PertexBivvybag Thermarest/sleepingmat Handwash Soap‐biodegrable(foreverything!) Towel‐trekmatesyle Toothbrush Toothpaste Wipes Mug(insulated),plateandbowl(or2bowls) Knife,forkandspoon HeadTorch Book/magazine/puzzlebook/cards Watch Pocketknife
PersonalKit
Itemneeded
Passport&tickets Insurancedocuments Currency/creditCard Diary/pen/notebook/book* Infosheets Plasticzipbags(forcondensationsensitive
items)* Cameras/film/sparebatteries/sparememory
card ipod(optional) PersonalFirstAidKit(seeseparatelist) Travelfootwear(trainersorsimilar) Lightweighttrousers(ziplegtoshorts)‐for
travel Personalmedication‐labelledinsealedbag Insectrepellent
AdditionalPersonalPaddlingKit
Itemneeded No
Wetshoes Pair
Sealskinsocks Pair
Lightweighttrousers 1
SwimmingCostume 1
ClothesPegs 3
* = optional
31
Appendix 2: First Aid supplies
Groupfirstaidkit
Painrelief:Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
Allergy:piriton,cetrizine(nondrowsy)
Gastrointestinal:Immodium
Woundcare::Dressingsandbandagesofassortedsizes/microporetape
Supportbandagesofassortedsizesforstrainsandsprains
Triangularbandages
Assortedplastersandcompeedofvarioussizes
Scissors,safetypins,tickremovers.Sterilegloves
PersonalFirstAid
Plasters‐assortedsizes Micropore Compeed/blistertreatment Melolinsquares PainreliefegParacetamol/Ibuprofin Immodiumorsimilar Safetypins Scissors Crepebandage Wounddressings(largeandsmall) Vaseline‐forlipsinthesun Waterpurificationtablets Rehydrationsachets Bitecream(Piritonetc) InsectRepellant Triangularbandage
32
Acknowledgements
TheExpeditionisgratefultothefollowing:
ChrisCartwrightfororganisingthehorseridingandcanoeinglogistics,andallofhisassistanceandadviceinMongolia
DickGriffithsforbeingHomeContactfortheevent.
Dr.AlisonChambersformedicalsupport
Gambaandhisteamofhorsewranglersforafabulousexperience!
TheGerfamilywholetusexperiencewhatlifeinruralMongoliaisreallylike.
MarkWilkinsonandSamAshworthfortheirsupportonthemountaindaystraining.
AndyInglisandRayHardmanfortheirsupportonthecanoetraining.
SandraSowerbuttsforherverypatientandinvaluablehelpwiththeaccounts.
LythamSt.AnnesHighSchoolfortheuseoftheirminibusesontrainingweekends.
Wededicatethisreporttoourfriend:AndyHeggiewhoduetoillnesscouldnotaccompanyusontheexpeditionbutwaswithuseverystepoftheway!
