Activities

Climbing

The Ardennes area of Belgium is ideally suited for a range of outdoor activities, because the underlying rock (limestone) erodes quickly forming spectacular landscapes. Rock Climbing on warm limestone is always a pleasure, and the area offers many crags of both single and multi-pitch 'flavour', with a whole range of grades to suit all abilities.  There are many cliffs, quarries and exposed pinnacles, giving that feeling of adventure that many Explorers strive for.  We have all the equipment needed, including spare rock boots, but if people have their own boots, helmets and harnesses, it'd be an idea to bring them. 

The Crags of Mozet and 'Dave' are used, for both single and multi-pitch routes, and they're both easily accessible from our base.  In 2003 we spent one day climbing, and one day caving.

Caving

Caving can only happen in a few types of rock, and Limestone is the best to use.  In fact, the area is so good for caving, that there are a number of 'show caves', which some Explorers visited in 2003.  We have a number of smaller caves which our team can instruct in, which can cater for newbie's and experienced cavers alike.  For people who have not experienced this activity before, we will be having a taster cave session on the training weekend for the 2004 expedition.  In 2003 we used the show cave in Han-sur-Lesse, and the 'normal' caves of Grotte de St Anne, Trou Maulin, Trou d’Eglise and Trou d’Haquin.  All equipment is provided by the West Lancs Scouts Caving Team.

Mountain Biking

Many people say that Belgium is flat.  Think again.  In 2003, the mountain bikers covered over 2.5 km of ascent, and over 270km in distance.  The views and areas to be seen in the Ardennes are spectacular, from Chateau's, to the town of Dinant with it's Citadel and church, to the war graves, religious sites and forests surrounding the area.  The area offers a whole range of mountain bike trails, from 'simple' to 'more than adventurous' & "off-piste"!  Full safety kit is provided and we spend an evening before we go out each time, servicing the bikes.

Canoeing

The region has a few rivers, and on the Canadian Canoe expedition, our Explorers get to tackle 2 of them.  We paddle the Lesse and the Meuse - two large rivers navigating the centre of the Ardennes region.  Using our boats and highly experienced leaders, our Explorers get the chance to paddle on some big water, and try to navigate weirs and locks with large-scale canoes.  In 2003, our canoeists managed to cover around 30 miles on their trip, and take inexperienced explorers to a competent level.  By utilizing a bit of D-I-Y, our Explorers managed to raft the canoes together in pairs and use some tarpaulins to create a sail, easing their travel down the Meuse!  The Tarps also came in very useful at night-time, as we had people sleeping in canoe-bivvy's for at least 3 nights in the week!

From a drop off in Huoyet, the canoeists canoe down the River Lesse, through a few rapids, to an overnight camp just before its confluence with the River Meuse.  The following day we continue into the Meuse, one of the communication routes of Western Europe.  After portaging around two barrages, we arrive at a take-out point near Yvoir, only 20 minutes from our base.