Our first full day on camp saw the troop heading out to explore the local area on mountain bikes.  We headed off after a big breakfast of corn flakes, eggs, breadrolls and jam first to Vorderhornbach and then along Hornbachtal to Hinterhornbach.  It was in Hinterhornbach, at the furtherest possible distance away from our accomadation on the route that Brian, one of our PL's suffered a catastrophic failure of the rear wheel.  The tube had mysteriously deflated.  Lickedly split a new tube was produced but whatever had caused the first puncture quickly disposed of the spare tube aswell.  Drastic action had to be taken.  Medical tape was tried and found wanting, all that was left was a redistribution of available bikes.  One of the smaller scouts would be given a crossbar by one of the bigger ones, Brian would get their bike and the bike with the now flat tire would be wheeled alongside Neils bike as he he cycles his own one back to base.  It was so crazy it might just work. 

And it did, well sort of.  We made it about 10 kilometres back to Vorderhornbach before Neil, channelling Evil Kenevil, fell of his bike going down a hill.  We all breathed a sigh of relief when we seen that the bikes hadn't been too badly damaged in the accident - phew. Oh and Neil was fine as well.  We decided that the damaged bike should be walked back to base from where we were.  I gave Brian my bike, his gave his back to the scout getting the crossbar and Neil was in good enough condition to get back onto the saddle.  The troop headed off on its way and myself and Paudge prepared for the 6 km walk back to base.  When we got back we had a late lunch of soup and meats and cheeses before attempting to carry out some repairs before the bikes were handed over.  That night we had Flemish stew for dinner which was quite nice and we rounded off the day with a game of football.

We thought we had an early start on day three but looking back it was more like a lie in.  We were up having breakfast at 8:00 to give us enough time to hike to Forchach to go canyoning at 10:00.  If you've never heard of canyoning before imagine a cross between rock climbing and traversing rivers.  After a quick safety briefing we were geared up with harnesses and slings and began to undertake some fairly scary climbs.  It began with an abseil off a 30 foot overhang, which is basically abseiling into thin air and then moved onto a river crossing via a balance beam suspended about 10 feet over what can only be described as a raging torrent.  We then had to traverse along a rock face above the river before undertaking a leap of faith.  One of our PL's, Keith proved lacking in the balance stakes when he did this.  He made it safely down and then slipped off the rock into the river.  Luckily he was tied in and was able to be fished out like something off Worlds Deadliest Catch.  After this there were two zipwires to the end of the course.  It was hair raising stuff but well worth it.  We headed back to base after the canyoning to have a shower and grab some lunch before meeting to discuss the expedition we would be undertaking the following day.

After dinner that night (the first of our many sausage based meals) we headed across the street to the local firing range to try our hand.  Talk was talked, would walks be walked?  Speculation was rife as to who would claim the medal positions.  Favorites were declared but it seems like on the range all bets were off.  In the end the medals went to Darren for third place (79.2/100), Alan for second place (84.5/100) and Stephen for first (90.8/100).  The compulsory gloating went on for the rest of the night whilst gear was checked before the biggest expedition the troop have ever undertaken.  Later that night, the first round of the inaugural champ of camp was held.  The first round was a team challenge where the team had to build a contraption to light a candle from several feet away.  All teams managed to complete the challenge with in the time frame and points were awarded accordingly. 

The threat of adding an extra 4 km to the hike distance if we were late for the bus focused the minds on Sunday morning.  Breakfast was demolished and the packed lunch factory went into overdrive as everyone hurried to be ready.  The bus arrived and dropped us off at Vilsalpsee in a neighbouring valley.  The plan was to hike to the Landsbergerhutte (1805 metres), stay there overnight and hike back the following day.  Easier said than done given the weather.  It was hot, hot, hot and the climbing was uber steep.  We took our time, drank loads of water and cooled down by soaking our necko's in mountain streams.  We reached the Landsbergerhutte in good time and weren't quite prepared for what we found.  It was like a hostel built into the mountain side.  I had expected something akin to a shed, this place even sold cold drinks.  Upon check in much amusement was had when we were shown where we were to sleep.  Unlike most hostels where you might be in a dorm with bunks or a single bed if you're lucky, this mountain hut had what can only be described as communal beds.  Each bed slept seven, personal space went out the window.

There was many looks of shock and horror and the question "Are you serious?" was asked more than once.  The shock wore off as everyone soon realised that they would have to get over themselves and we retired to the front of the building to see what our options where.  The views were spectacular and as it was quite early we decided to try for one of the summits.  We packed up essentials and headed off to summit the Steinkar Spitze (2067 metres).  The walk to the base of the summit was easy but once you started climbing the ridge it rapidly became the type of thing you wouldn't want to slip off.  Some scrambling was called for near the summit but with a little help everybody made it to the top.  It was amazing.  As far as the eye could see there were jagged peaks jutting into the sky in the distance.  This was the highest mountain the scout troop has climbed in its 80 year history so to mark the occasion we recited the scout promise, said a few words and then chanted the scout yell.  We carefully climbed back down and returned to the Landsbergerhutte where we had a much deserved dinner before a few hands of cards and an early night.

 

This was a seriously early start.  We were up at 06:30 for breakfast at 07:00.  By 08:00 we were all standing outside the Landsbergerhutter with our bags on our backs about to start the hike back.  It was hotter today than the previous day but it was mostly downhill and along forest tracks so it wasn't as strenuous.  By the time we got back to base it was about 3:00 and everyone was shattered and looking forward to the much talked about (and much deserved) lie in the following day.  After dinner that night we had the next round of camp of champ.  This was a relay race where each member had to eat four biscuits and whistle before he could return to his team.  Everyone went to bed that night shattered.  

We had a lie in today until 9:30 and spent the morning after breakfast cleaning out the dorms.  Beds were made clothes were folded or packed away and after a light lunch we caught the bus to Vorderhornbach and went swimming in its new outdoor, natural pool.  The weather was amazing, the pool was the business and the ice creams were cold. After dinner the troops performance skills were put to the test.  There was a dance off followed by a comedic series of reenactments of events that happened earlier in the camp.  There was much LOL'ing.   

Another early morning.  This time 7:00 am.  The troop looked smart in shirt and necko's as we headed off to Germany for a bit of site-seeing and shopping.  We began with a visit to Neuschwanstein castle (The castle that the Disney castle is based upon) and found it to be as bizarre inside as it was outside.  It has to be seen to be believed.  Later we went to the town of Fussen to do a bit of souvenir hunting.  The tat-o-meter reading was off the chart but when in Fussen...

We returned to our base later to have a quick dinner before attending a Tyrolean evening.  Lederhosen - check, Cowbells - check, leg slapping - check. It was quite a surreal evening but enjoyable.  Afterwards, the champ of camp challenge was a knockout quiz and the first individual points were awarded.

These early mornings are starting to get earlier and earlier.  After a quick breakfast we hit the road to Haiming to go white water rafting.  If you were feeling a bit groggy you'll be awake after this.  This was for many the highlight of the camp.  I think the pictures speak louder than the words:

When we got back to base a challenge was proposed.  Traditionally the leaders would play the scouts at rounders but this year the scouts proposed a football match instead.  The leaders agreed and the scouts split themselves into two teams.  Of course, despite being out numbered and apparently past it, the leaders team, aka thescoutscantbeatusatrounderssoweareplayingfootballinstead.com, won comfortably. That night for supper a cake was produced in honor of Jonathons birthday.  The song was sung, the gift and card were presented and the cake was demolished in short order.  Happy one week campiversary.

The penultimate day of the camp and guess what, it was an early start.  We set out for the town of Bach to try our hands at rock climbing.  Despite having does this a couple of times this before the rock face provided a difficult challenge as it was a good deal taller than most of the climbs we normally do.  To cool down after this we hiked into the town of Elbigenalp and went swimming in their outdoor pool.  I don't think their slide has ever seen so much use in one day.  After everyone was dried up we caught the bus back to Stanzach and paid a visit to the local tat shop for any last minute souvenirs.  The final round of champ of camp was held before dinner which was a kebab skewers, potatoes and a side tuna, tomatoe, olive and lettuce salad.  Later that night the camp of champ was declared.  The winner being Jamie Mann.  We had our closing ceremony and everyone set to packing their bags.

The last day.  Our base was scrubbed and mopped and left sparkling for the next group.  The bus picked up the tired bodies at 11:00 and brought us to the airport.  Our flight home was grand (except for the landing - you know people were worried when they start clapping when the plane finally touches down).  We managed to be allowed back into the country.  Annual camp 2009, Austria 2009, The Alpine camp, one of the most memorable camps ever had come to an end.  Its going to be a hard act to follow.