August 2022 | Bristol University Air Squadron (BUAS)
“Across 4 years on BUAS, this expedition stretched me the most.”
Introduction
In 2021, A/Plt Off O’Boyle devised an adventurous training (AT) expedition plan to Norway to re-trace the footsteps of a daring WW2 Norwegian Commando mission, Op GUNNERSIDE, inspired by the hit film, The Heroes of Telemark. The roughly 100km route would see 14 members of Bristol University Air Squadron (BUAS), comprising 12 students and 2 instructors, navigating through some of the most stunning scenery and best hiking routes in Europe, the Hardangervidda National Park, Norway.
In August 2022, the expedition was given the final nod, and the 14 Sqn members travelled to Norway to complete the adventure of a lifetime. The Sqn was extremely fortunate to receive funding for the trip from the Ulysses Trust; without this grant, the trip would arguably not have gone ahead. For this reason, the Sqn is extremely grateful to the trust.
This review follows the daily movements and activities of the Sqn members, and in-particular details the individual learning that resulted from said activities.
Day 1
Sqn members first convened at the Sqn HQ at The Artillery Grounds, Bristol, at around 16:00 to collect their kit and meet with their expedition partners. Here, students practiced setting up equipment (notably tents and camping stoves) and nervously discussed how difficult they envisaged the expedition being. The group then travelled to Aldershot Garrison, stopping in the local area for an evening meal, and arriving at base for around 22:00. With an early wakeup ahead, the group opted to get their heads down for some sleep.
Day 2
An 05:00 wakeup saw the students depart Aldershot Garrison at 05:30 on their way to Gatwick Airport for an 09:20 flight to Oslo, Norway. Arriving in Oslo at around 11:45, Sqn members then caught the train to central Oslo, where they deposited large airport bags and unnecessary kit into lockers. The group then walked to the nearby Comfort Hotel, where they would spend their final night before embarking on their hike. After a quick lunch in central Oslo, the group walked to a nearby supermarket and camping shops in order to purchase rations and gas for cooking with, before walking to a local restaurant for dinner. The group returned to their accommodation for around 21:00 to get their heads down for an early start on day 3.
Day 3
Sqn members departed the hotel at 05:30 for Oslo station, where they caught the train to Geilo along the stunning Bergensbanen route. Once at Geilo, the group caught a local bus to the expedition start point, Halne, arriving at approximately 13:00. Here, the first two group navigators were assigned. It is worth noting that the role of group navigator rotated throughout the group, changing everyday to allow all members to practice navigating and being in command. It is worth noting that the navigators were responsible for getting the group through the designated route in a safe manner, sometimes accounting for time constraints. The group covered 18km that afternoon, with a total moving time of 4.5 hours, until they reached the camping site for that evening at around 22:00—a relatively flat location on the bank of one of the regions beautiful lakes, which the group used as a water source. The expedition leader, Sgt Spence, gave his thoughts on the group dynamic throughout that first day. At points, the group, with a large range of individual and natural paces, would stretch out. This caused difficulty in communicating along the line. Sgt Spence stressed the importance of remaining together to support one another and for ease of communication.
Day 4
The students departed the campsite at 09:00, having awoken at 07:00. This morning was a shock to the system, and there was a frantic flurry of admin as the departure time approached! Members of the group found the first night difficult, adjusting to sleeping in the elements on what was the coldest night of the expedition. However, spirits were very high, particularly having awoken in front of a beautiful view of the lake. The group stopped for lunch at around 12:00, where group dynamics were again discussed. At this point, the importance of having awareness of the task, the team and individuals (TTI) was also stressed. Towards the end of the day, the group donned their waterproofs with the rain coming in, dampening the terrain but not the mood. At around 18:00, the Sqn members reached the campsite, where they had some time to relax and socialise. 18.6km were covered this day, with a total moving time of around 5 hours. A multitude of terrain types were covered, including undulating hills and wooden bridges spanning small streams and rivers. Sqn members also made a small fire once they reached camp, which was a huge boost for morale (particularly in light of the damp conditions).
Day 5
Sqn members again began their day around 07:00, checking their kit and packing away their tents. The group began hiking at around 09:00, collectively deciding to take less breaks in order to improve progress. Again, Sqn members were encouraged to focus on the dynamics of the group, especially being aware of any members that were struggling. Members that felt they were struggling were encouraged to walk at the front of the group in order to set the pace. Here, they could also be motivated by the Sqn members behind. At lunch, Sgt Spence explained the different scenarios to be aware of in group dynamics (otherwise known as the 4 Ps (i.e., Prisoners, Protesters, Passengers and Participants), how to recognise them (both in yourself and in others) and how to manage them. The importance of TTI was again stressed. Having covered around 27km with a total moving time of 7.5 hours, the group arrived at the campsite at around 18:00. It became evident at this point that certain members of the group were in discomfort with foot aches and pains, and everyone was very tired after a long day. However, after a rehydrated ration pack and a mug of coffee next to a beautiful lake, morale was very high. Again, the group covered a multitude of terrain types this day, including conducting small crossings over rocks through small rivers. The group also began to conduct their individual 1-minute presentations, aiming to increase awareness of Norway’s culture.
Day 6
In order to complete the hike in time, the group had to cover significantly more ground on this day, starting at 09:00. Two new navigators were appointed, and told they must meet the Kalhovd Dam by 11:30, an approximately 9.5km stint. This initial stint was gruelling, having to average ~4km/hr and manage the associated challenges with group morale and individual’s aches and pains. Despite the challenge, the group was rewarded with a lunch overlooking the dam, where the students enjoyed some drinks and snacks. This was a big boost for morale, especially meeting the time on target (ToT) constraint. Setting off again at 12:15, the group completed a further 20km that afternoon, taking breaks periodically as required. The weather was perfect hiking weather, with it not too hot but with beautiful sunshine. A final (and additional, with reference to the planned route) 2km push was proposed by the navigators, in order to avoid a very early start in pouring rain on the final day. The group agreed, and they pressed on, arriving at camp at around 21:30. A total of 32.7 was covered on this day, and everyone felt very stretched by the evening. Sqn members opted to take on food and water at camp (again in the form of a rehydrated ration pack), before turning in for the night at around 22:30 having completed all of the requisite group and personal admin.
Day 7
It was an earlier start for the group on this day, getting up to begin admin duties at 05:00, ready for an 07:00 start. The weather, as anticipated, was fairly poor this day. The group left camp donning full waterproofs. The target for the group this day was to make it to Rjukan—the site of the infamous heavy water factory in WW2, upon which now sits Vemork hydroelectric powerplant—in time to catch the bus back to Oslo at around 11:00. As the group approached Rjukan, the Vemork powerplant was visible on the hillside; this was a huge boost for morale, and the group took some time to reflect on the remarkable journey made by the Norwegian commandos in WW2 in support of Op GUNNERSIDE. The group stopped periodically to shelter from the rain and take on additional food and water. The final distance covered this day was 5.7km over 1.5 hours, where the group found themselves at the top of the cable car which would take them into the heart of Rjukan. After an additional 0.5 hour walk through Rjukan, Sqn members purchased breakfast at a local supermarket (and what a relief it was to not have to rehydrate your food!). The group then caught the bus to Notodden, followed by a second bus to the centre of Oslo. The group stayed at the Anker Hostel, and went for a celebratory drink at a local bar before heading to dinner in the centre of Oslo. Exhausted from the enormous challenge of the week, Sqn members opted to turn in at 22:00.
Day 8
Students awoke on the final day at around 07:00, departing the hostel at around 08:00 for Oslo central train station. Here, the group caught the train to Oslo airport for their 13:20 flight, arriving at Gatwick airport for around 14:20. From Gatwick, Sqn members made their way back to Sqn HQ in Bristol, arriving for approximately 18:30. Here, Sqn members conducted admin on the used kit (drying tents, checking stoves, etc.) and eventually dispersed around 20:00, making their way home.
Conclusions
This was a thoroughly enjoyable expedition for all Sqn members who attended. The challenge was great and taxing, but really brought the team together. It was excellent to see how well the group worked together, and the efforts that were made to maintain morale. In spite of the pessimistic forecasting, the weather was ideal for hiking the majority of the time. The latter half of the expedition, in-particular, really stretched the group, and provided an opportunity for students to learn about themselves and how they respond when faced with new challenges. Undoubtably, understanding how they react under pressure is something that will be very useful, not just for those hoping and/or planning to join the military, but for life in general. The imbalance of hiking across the various days made the expedition more difficult, but perhaps despite it being tough at the time, this was precisely the stretch that the group needed in order to learn the most from the trip.
A quote from the expedition that stands out is by A/Plt Off Pate, who said upon her return: “I learnt to communicate my internal struggles, rather than suffering in silence. Once the group realised I was having a hard time, they were quick to come to my aid. The group decided to put me at the front to set a pace I was comfortable with, which made me feel supported. This boosted my morale and made the following days easier, despite the fact we were walking much further”. This demonstrates the true value of the trip: the group learned far more about emotional intelligence on this expedition than they every could in lectures or in a classroom. For this reason, Bristol University Air Squadron would like to express an enormous thank you to the Ulysses Trust, who provided a grant that made this expedition possible. The Sqn members who partook will remember this trip for the rest of their lives.
