Feature
The Glasgow Academy East Greenland Expedition 2006
Young Mountaineers explore some unexplored Polar Regions
By Shona Ambrose & Claire Edmonds
Tied onto a rope, three people attached behind, with hard, crisp snow to break through and crevasses to dodge, the day begins well. The sun is shining; it is 3am. With the vast untouched territory itching to be explored the team are set for an exciting day of unpredictable adventure. The 2006 Glasgow Academy expedition to Milne Land (N70°51 W25°24) was truly a trip like no other.
From the morning that Mr Gwynne abseiled into the assembly hall to tell of a proposed expedition, excitement was high and for the lucky twelve members of the team a year’s preparation lay ahead to ensure that sufficient training in all areas of expedition life had been covered. Regular meetings encouraged the team to interact and winter skills training weekends helped to build confidence to provide a strong, enthusiastic expedition team.
Venturing across the glacier the challenges could only be imagined. As each was encountered, every individual was tested: whether leaping crevasses, wading through thunderous torrents of glacial melt water or merely overcoming the deceivingly difficult flapjack challenge.
The primary aim of the expedition was to explore the peaks surrounding the Charcotgletscher glacier. The expedition succeeded in making ascents of twelve peaks including two suspected first ascents. Along with this, the team were striving to develop their leadership skills as young mountaineers which was done with great success. Towards the end of the expedition the pupils walked out of base camp, tied onto their three ropes, to make the second ever ascent of the nearby mountain ‘Zippy goes to Greenland’. It was with a look of trepidation that the leaders waved us goodbye from their sleeping bags. The team of pupils, now unaccompanied, negotiated all the hazards with tremendous skill and care summiting shortly after 7am: our mountaineering apprenticeship was now truly complete. Mountaineering aside, the trip was used as an opportunity for cultural and scientific research and samples of the Greenlandic Seed Bug (Nysius groenlandicus) were collected for gender tests to be carried out at university level back in Scotland.
To great disappointment from many (and much relief from others) no polar bears were sighted, although the stream hopping lemmings and various arctic birds provided an insight into the wildlife around. The landscape was spectacular with scree covered peaks, topping ice filled corries, spreading into crevasse ridden plains. Sheer ice walls and towering icebergs were encountered frequently and the Greenland ice cap could be seen from the summit of some mountains. It was a privilege and delight to be some of the first eyes to view such inspiring and beautiful sights.
A trip to Ittoqqortoormiit, a settlement with a population of only 564, provided an insight into Inuit life. The brightly coloured houses had fish, seal or polar bear skins drying outside as commonly as washing is hung out in Scotland. It was interesting to speak with the residents and learn about their culture. A friendly game of football was enjoyed by the team and the locals on probably the most remote football pitch in the world.
It was a rare opportunity to experience such an expedition. The experience was enhanced greatly by the incredibly knowledgeable leader team: Liz Brookes, Neal Gwynne, Al Halewood and Nigel Williams. The memories made and the friendships gained reflect how absolutely fantastic the adventure was.
The Glasgow Academy East Greenland Expedition was supported by: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Gino Watkins Fund, The Gordon Foundation, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Linton Charitable Trust and The Glasgow Academy Parents’ Association and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. The team is grateful to their patron, Peter Wordie, for his support. Copies of the expedition report may be obtained from n.gwynne@tga.org.uk
MCofS Expedition Awards 2006
This year the MCofS awarded grants to a wide range of expeditions, and with the award to the Glasgow Academy broke new ground in trying to help and encourage young mountaineers.
Scottish Lobuje East Expedition
Alasdair Buchannan, Tristan Hamade and Dave Chadwick. New objectives on the North East flank of Lobjue East and the North Face of Taweche. Various other secondary objectives.
Miya Nala 2006
Oliver Metherell, Oliver Kuda. Two new routes proposed on sub-6,000m peaks in the Himachal Pradesh area: Peak 5960m and Orange Tower giving big rock wall routes.
Glasgow Academy Greenland Expedition 2006
Liz Brooks, Neal Gwyne, Alan Halewood, Nigel Williams + 12 students aged 16-17yrs. Exploratory mountaineering in Southern Miln Land as reported in this article.