We woke up on Monday to threatening skies again. After a little discussion we decided to do the postponed COPE (Challanging Outdoor Personal Experience) course first thing. This turned out to be woodland ropes course, over some moderate terrain. The ropes were only a foot or so off the ground, but you needed a good sense of balance in the slippery conditions. The Scouts did the course for about two hours. Towards the end they were doing it blindfolded! We packed up from there and then headed down to the train station. It was raining again now, and we'd just heard that a severe weather warning had been issued for the region. We caught the train down the valley for half an hour to Mulenen, where we got on the funicular to Niesen. This two stage contraption took us up at a slope of 68%! Very much like riding up a roller coaster lift hill. We ascended in about half hour to over 2300 metres. The views from the top of Niesen are legendary, and were hoping for clear skies. It was not to be. When we got to the top the clouds were in, and we could barely see 20ft through the murk. Despite the fog, the temperature was not too bad. We walked around for a bit looking at the panorama maps on the viewing gallery and wishing we could see the view. Then the temperature dropped suddenly, and the wind picked up. Visibility was down to a few feet at most. Then the rain started, and it really meant it! We gathered everyone together and went into the restaurant to wait for the next train down. The rain got harder and harder, and then turned to hail. The whole place was covered with large hail stones in a matter of minutes. It was now time for our train, so we had to go out in it. A quick dash to the train through the rivers of rain water and hail, and we were out of it. Suddenly there was a crash of thunder and lightening, which was pretty close. Very loud! The trip back down was just as impressive as the trip up.
We managed to pick up the bus from Kandersteg train station back to camp. At every stop more and more soggy Scouts got on - it was packed beyond belief by the time it arrived back at camp. Once back, everyone set about the horrible task of packing up...
Tea today was a special treat. We'd booked a table at Des Alpes down in the village. It was still chucking it down so we got the bus, and the driver kindly stopped right outside Des Alpes for us. Everyone had a fantastic meal. Des Alpes offers some great pizzas and pasta, and Dean and William were very happy with a massive plate of chicken nuggets and chips each. The KISC food was fine, but it was great to eat something different for a change!
The rain had finally stopped, so we strolled back to camp. Once back we camp had an awards ceremony for the Scouts, and badges were awarded. Everyone has some great badges to sew on their camp blankets. The girls then entertained everyone the some lovely singing. They sang Darcey's brilliant camp songs, and a selection of pop songs on request (mostly William's requests it has to be said!). Then it was reluctantly off to bed.
Doug
