Expeditions 2009

Roll up! Roll up! The results are in...UBES went jetting (or driving) off to not 1, not 2, but 3 exciting European destinations in 2009. You can grab all the details here!

Font - Easter 2009

Dates: 22nd-27th March
Activities: Bouldering, lots and lots of amazing bouldering in the sun
Organiser: George Cave (gc6480@bristol.ac.uk)

FONT- situated just South of Paris, UBES (accompanied by a few from UBMC) descended on this bouldering haven in March 2009.

After completing what should have been an easy drive (one car with particularly inept navigators briefly entered Belgium on the way) we arrived at our gite and got settled in for the week. With so much bouldering potential right on our doorstep we went to a new location every day, each only a short drive away. In the mornings we often stopped off in Milly for a croissant or pan au chocolat and bought our cheese and baguettes for lunch. Then we’d head to the rocks and spend the day climbing, eating and occasionally sunbathing. If we were going to boulder in France we were going to do it the French way!

The weather was mostly fine and we got several good days of bouldering done. Our favourite circuits were at 91.1, La Roche aux Sabots and Bas Cuvier but there were many many more that we didn’t have time to go to. We climbed all day every day and when our fingers gave up we turned to slack lining and when we got tired of that we drank wine. All in all it was a great week!

Norway - Summer 2009

Dates: 17th July - 2nd August
Activities: Hiking, Long distance treks, Scrambling, Glacier trekking, wild camping, Trad + sport
Organiser: Amy Styring (Amy.Styring@bristol.ac.uk)
More Details: Download Presentation

Land of the midnight sun, from balmy beach towns to the Arctic Circle. "Rugged peaks, haunting fjords and dramatic glaciers". Temperature, 17°C.

Approximate itinerary was Oslo -> Jotunheimen National Park -> Rondane National Park. The Jotunheimen NP has all of the mountains in Norway over 2300m, including the highest peak in Northern Europe, Galdhøpiggen. The Rondane NP has 10 peaks over 2000m and 28 mammal species (lemmings!!).

It was another awesome UBES trip filled with excitement, lake bagging and fun. Check it out on the Norway 2009 forum.

Corsica - Summer 2009

Dates: 16th August - 6th September
Activities: GR20, Sport Climbing, Mare-mare, Mare-monti, Water-sports, Swimming, etc...
Organiser: Laurence Owen (lo6587@googlemail.com)
More Details: Download Presentation

CORSICA GR20
180km long? 15 days of walking??
Seriously???

There were 5 of us on the plane from Bristol to Corsica on the 16th August 2010. We each had a big rucksack with all the equipment and a significant amount of the food that we would need to live on whilst we attempted what is known as the toughest long distance trail in Europe.

Day 1 and we were seriously affected by the heat. At mid August it was very hot and dry and water was scarce. At this point we all realised potentially how tough this walk could be. As the days passed we became acclimatised to the heat and although we were all dehydrated at the end of each day we were getting used to it. By day 5 we arrived in Vizzavona, the half way point of the trek. 3 of the group left here as time constraints meant they would not be able to walk the second half of the trail and still make their flights. This left 2 of us to battle the northern half which was known to be significantly more challenging and mountainous.

We took the northern half much slower as we spent a few rest days recuperating from illness and took time out to swim in beautifully clear mountain pools. Some nights we camped at the refuges, and some we wild camped or slept under the stars. Food was basic to say the least, and it was a treat when a refuge sold fruit. Most days we just ate bread and chocolate for lunch.

We spent 10 days in total either walking or resting on the northern half. The walking was much more technical, with via ferrata in places. The scenery was absolutely stunning though and it was all completely worth the effort. We ended up in Calenzana tired out from all our trekking and headed straight for the nearest restaurant for our first proper meal in a long time!

For more details and to chat about the trip, check out the Corsica 2009 forum.