Mountaineering
Overview | Ethos | Science | Exploration | Mountaineering
Each Fire will spend 10 days engaged in the mountaineering phase of their expedition. This will involve a boat journey across Tasermiutfjord to its
eastern shore, before completing an arduous approach walk up to Mountaineering Base Camp (the exact location of which will be determined by the Advance Party). Once at Mountaineering Base Camp, YE’s and Leaders will learn or refresh basic mountaineering skills, including the use of axes and crampons, roped movement across glacial terrain and
the all-important teamwork on the hill. In most cases this training will take 3 or 4 days, and will be led by Johannes Felter and Andy Rockall. High up, nearly on the ice cap itself, life will feel very different to the comparative comfort of the low valley.
We will now be feeling safe and assured in our ability to look after each other in this challenging environment. So, what next?
YE’s, Fire Leaders and Mountaineering Leaders will work together to come up with the right plan for the remainder of their time up in the high, icy places. What is right will change from group to group. The area is much better suited to journeying on the glacier around the mountains than it is for climbing up them - look at pictures of the sheer-sided nunataks which proliferate here and you will understand why this is the case. This presents us with an ideal opportunity for mounting multi-day expeditions onto and over the ice cap, exploring as far into the interior as fitness, ambition and conditions will allow.
The following statements will give an indication of what to expect from the Mountaineering Phase, and reflects the goals of the Mountaineering Leaders:
Safety is our paramount concern. All expedition members must feel free to speak up if they are concerned about their own or someone else’s safety.
Real safety lies in the mind of each mountaineer. During the mountaineering phase everyone will develop their judgement and mountain sense to the best of their ability.
We will travel throught the mountain environment thoughtfully and carefully, giving time for all team members to reflect on and learn from their experiences.
