Talkin' 'bout my (New) Generation...

GORE-TEX Pro

I think it would be a fair assumption to say that most of my readers/followers have heard of and/or own GORE-TEX products? From Arc'teryx to Berghaus, Mammut, Marmot, Mountain Equipment and more - all the best outdoor brands are proud to have the GORE-TEX diamond tag hanging from their waterproof and windproof garments. I think it would also be fair to say that the majority of you have had a hugely positive experience of your GORE-TEX products. I know I have.

Oz from the Betws store

Walk-in to Ben Nevis

New Generation Gore-tex Pro test team

Gore works with the best athletes and various mountain guide associations around the world to develop the perfect products for their daily use. A little closer to home, GORE-TEX and Mountain Equipment have a very close working relationship with the guides and leaders based at Plas Y Brenin National Mountain Centre, here in the UK.

Those of you that know a little about me will know that I work for Cotswold Outdoor - which means I am fortunate enough to receive training on and from all your favourite outdoor brands in order for me to kit you out with the best gear for your adventures. This training often takes place in the form of us being able to try out and test kit for ourselves - a definite perk of the job.

Back in July last year I attended the Cotswold Academy Climbing Skills course down in the sunny Avon Gorge (read about my time on the course here)- fast forward 6 months to January 2013, minus around 20 degrees celius in temperature, and add the stunning Scottish Highlands and it was time for the Cotswold Academy Winter Skills course in Glencoe.

The Experience
I was looking forward to having some time to myself on the train journey up to Glasgow, and finally got round to reading High Infatuation by Steph Davis - some good inspiration from one of my favourite climbers. It wasn't hard to spot other Cotswold employees on route to Scotland, lugging our big Mountain Equipment kit bags on and off trains, and so I was later joined by Oz from the Betws-Y-Coed store.

We arrived in a very wet Glasgow and made the long but beautiful coach journey to the stunning Alltshellach Country House where we were greeted by the Cotswold Academy team, Plas Y Brenin Guides and the guys from Mountain Equipment and Gore. It was straight into sorting kit before dinner and the first of our evening lectures.

Avalanche awareness -
building a rutsch block

Pride of place in everyone's kit bags were our New Generation GORE-TEX Pro Mountain Equipment hard shells. Aside from the brands, mountain guides and athletes who have helped develop this product over the last few years, we were among some of the first to get to test these new generation jackets. And test them we certainly would...!

This included a windy day on Buachaille Etive Beag, practicing moving on steep ground, ice axe self-arrests and building Rutsch blocks and snow holes - all this was perfect for testing that durability and abrasion resistant fabrics that GORE-TEX products are so well known for. Despite some hilarious shapes being thrown as we each took our turns sliding down the hillside and plunging in our axes, and despite the wind knocking some of us around more than we had anticipated, the jackets stood up to the test.

Perhaps the most special day though, certainly for me, was our last day on Ben Nevis, which saw the whole team (including those of us doubting our physical - and mental - capabilities) take on Ledge Route. Arguably the best route of its kind in the UK, the Ledge route has a bit of everything - starting in No. 5 Gully on Ben Nevis and weaving an improbable line up Carn Dearg Buttress, leading to a narrow ridge and finally the summit of Carn Dearg on the Ben Nevis plateau. And as well as being on one of the best routes of it's kind, we were also joined by one of the UK's top climbers - Dave MacLeod, what a privilege.

The walk in was gentle and kind to those of us who were tired from the previous days out on the hill, and was a great warm up before tackling the steeper ground of Ledge Route, including a few rock steps to negotiate and a few exposed ridges.

Warm, dry, comfortable and happy

The Plas Y Brenin guides overwhelmed me with their patience, encouragement and commitment to seeing not only the group, but each of us individually, achieve things that some of us doubted we could achieve.

After a windy, cloudy and snowy climb, we were rewarded on our descent with spectacular views over the Scottish Highlands... a magical moment.

While the view, the climb and the people I shared it with all made this a memorable experience, I was able to enjoy it all the more because I was protected, warm, dry and comfortable throughout the whole trip.

For someone who "runs hot" when it comes to activities, but chills off very quickly when stationary, I was overwhelmed at how little (if at all) I needed to play around with my layering system when wearing our Mountain Equipment new generation Gore-tex Pro jackets. I wore it on all three days as my outer shell with either just a base layer, or a base layer and fleece, and despite the freezing temperatures, spindrift and wind chill, despite the frequent work-rest cycles - I stayed comfortable and my regulation of body temperature remained at a near constant.

The technology
New generation GORE-TEX Pro is designed for extreme and extended use on the hill which is going to offer you better comfort in more conditions - and while it's going to keep you protected from the wind and rain when walking the dogs, or strolling along the coastal path, it's also going to withstand multi-day trips tackling mixed routes in the Scottish Winter to multi-week excursions backcountry skiing in Canada. It's going to handle your heavy packs, your harness, ropes and slings. It's going to work whether you're in temperatures of -20 or +10 C. It's also going to work whether the humidity you're operating in is 35% or a rather unbearable 100%!
This new generation fabric has a completely new membrane, exclusively used in GORE-TEX products, and consists of multiple ePTFE layers with a unique microstructure.

Ledge Route

Ultimately, it's the durably waterproof windproof GORE-TEX you have come to know, love and depend on, but with improved ruggedness and up to 28% increased breathability.

The Thank You's
I really can't emphasise how wonderful our stay was, nothing was too much trouble for the hotel staff, we were looked after so well and the meals were all wonderful.

And of course the guys at PYB, Mountain Equipment and Gore-Tex for providing us with not only all the amazing kit but the knowledge and experience to back it all up.
After looking forward to it for many months, it feels sad to know it's all over... but it has fueled an already burning passion for the mountains, and inspired me to keep getting out there, to make the most of my limited and precious time off - and to wear the best gear to ensure my time on the hill is safe, enjoyable and most of all memorable!

• New Generation GORE-TEX Pro will be launching exclusively to Cotswold Outdoor in early June, before hitting other stores! 
• Cotswold will be running a customer blog competition throughout June and July - keep an eye on the website for news! 
• Thanks to GORE-TEX, Mountain Equipment, DMM and The Mountain Boot Company for the use of equipment throughout the course. 
• Thanks to the PYB Guides and staff at Alltshellach for a memorable stay. 
• Thank You to The Cotswold Academy Team for the experience. 

Wonder and Marvel

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious...whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead...”

Albert Einstein

How do we define an expedition? It will surely mean different things to different individuals.

Wikipedia (2011) states that an expedition typically refers to a long journey or voyage undertaken for a specific purpose, often exploratory, scientific, geographic, military or political in nature.

Expeditions perhaps go back as far as hunting and gathering, the earliest humans setting out on a journey in search for food to survive, mercantile traders setting out on voyages for commercial gain, and military expeditions on campaigns to meet specific objectives in foreign countries. Scientific expeditions for research and discovery, and spiritual journeys of reflection, pilgrimage and rites of passage. For each of the individuals involved, their expedition will hold different meaning and significance. The purpose of the expedition will be different, the greatest gain potentially being to the individual, the group or indeed the environment.

Collins dictionary (2011) is very similar to our first definition, but goes one further to express that an expedition is also 'the people and equipment comprising an expedition'. This is one step closer to what I would define as my own understanding of expeditions. The closest though, is the following. Chris Bonington, the best known mountaineer in Britain for more than fifty years states:

“To me, adventure involves a journey, or a sustained endeavour, in which there are the elements of risk and of the unknown, which have to be overcome by the physical skills of the individual. Furthermore, an adventure is something that an individual chooses to do and, where the risk involved is self-imposed and threatens no one but himself.” (Bonington, 1981)

As well as the common theme of a journey, this definition brings in the ideas of adventure, risk, physical skills, mental skills, individuality and awareness and compassion towards others –  these perhaps the most important when exploring the value of outdoor expeditions as a vehicle for personal challenge. Miles and Priest (1990) see adventure in a similar way - a venture forth into the unknown, undertaking activities that may involve risk and unknown outcomes. Hopkins and Putnam (1993) bring in again this idea of the mind as well as the body, stating that 'adventure can be of the mind and spirit as much as a physical challenge'.

The desire to experience the unknown is in us all – just watch the excitement of a baby who has learnt to walk and has a whole new world opened up to him to explore, the simple pleasure for a child in a game of pass the parcel, to the desire to taste new foods as an adult, the risky world of stocks and shares, or gambling. The seeking after the unknown can make us feel alive.

“Adventure speaks of beginning, boldness, and power. Adventure connotes   participation and active involvement in life. An adventure, a quest, begins because of a human desire, a drive to experience that which is hidden and unknown.” (Quinn, 1990)

But our seeking after the unknown may not always be positive. What is it about outdoor adventure that seems to offer such a holistic and constructive experience for individuals?

Mortlock (1984) speaks of the 'University of the Wilderness' and how the natural environment offers us the chance to consciously take up a challenge that will demand the best of our capabilities, both physically, mentally and emotionally. He believes it is a 'state of mind that will initially accept unpleasant feelings of fear, uncertainty and discomfort, and the need for luck, because we instinctively know that, if we are successful, these will be counterbalanced by feelings of exhilaration and joy'. I agree with this to a greater extent, for example, when caving I feel discomfort in my tight surroundings, there is a fear of getting stuck, and the surroundings are unknown to me, I know however that I will be rewarded with those feelings of joy and exhilaration on getting through a tight squeeze safely and upon discovering those bigger caverns with their stalactites and stalagmites, and seeing a whole unknown world open up to me underground. I do however feel that while an element of fear and uncertainty nearly always comes into it, this isn't necessarily always discomforting. With a 5 day multi-pitch climbing expedition to North Wales quick approaching, I am experiencing uncertainty and fear over whether or not I am fit enough to keep up with the others in my group for the entire trip, or whether the grades of the routes will be realistic for me to climb, but rather than a feeling of discomfort, I feel excited by the challenge and a have drive to push myself - physically, mentally and emotionally.

I know that being a member of a team is crucial to meeting that challenge and achieving those goals. Hopkins and Putnam (1993) state that the outdoors is 'a powerful medium for exploring the nature of community... in the pursuit of challenging physical objectives we are often engaged in creating social structures which underpin our physical successes.' In an expedition journal excerpt Henderson (1990) expresses that 'for fleeting moments, the shared humanity was comforting, revealing an added depth to our adventure.' When a team works effectively together it is because of effective communication, negotiated common goals, empathy and tolerance, openness, innovation, positive leadership and a range of abilities and experiences. For the maximum potential of these to be realised, this can often take time and is an active learning process. Tuckman (1965) proposed a four-stage model suggesting that the ideal group decision making process should be comprised of 'Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing'. This looks at the idea that a group first pretends, or indeed gets along with one another, before trying to focus on the task at hand where ideas are expressed and tempers may flare up but which hopefully and eventually leads to getting used to each other and forming trust, resulting in productivity, and being highly effective, working towards a common goal. For expeditions to be successful, I believe it is fundamental for the group to reach the 'Performing' stage. The group may go through the difference stages, during different points of the expedition, perhaps even taking steps backwards at some point. But ultimately for the team to achieve the qualities listed above, and to work effectively, they need to trust each other, and have the same common goal.

As well as the various types of expeditions, as explored earlier, and challenges faced in working as a team, there are also the personal and individual challenges too. What can I, as an individual, gain from outdoor expeditions? And does it take a certain type of person to meet these challenges? Mortlock (1984) looks at the great adventurers and explorers were they people 'unusual in the sense that they have persevered when most people would have given up'?  They have pushed their limits beyond what they thought they were capable of. However, I believe this is something we are all capable of, and our journeys in the outdoors can be a means of realising that potential. Of the first conquest of Annapurna, Herzog (1952) says of the experience:

“In overstepping our limitations, in touching the extreme boundaries of man's world, we     have come to know something of its true splendour. In my worst moments of anguish I seemed to discover the deep significance of existence of which till then I had been unaware. I saw it was better to be true than to be strong.”

Perhaps, it is in these times of fear, uncertainty and discomfort that we can see more clearly.

“Adventurous journeys and activities in the outdoors and the wilderness have long been seen as a means of increasing self-knowledge and resourcefulness; both the demanding nature of the task and the awe-inspiring setting contributing to the power of the experience.” (Hopkins & Putnam, 1993)

As well as the physical and demanding challenges we face on expeditions, perhaps the most important challenges we face regarding personal development, are that of increased self-awareness.

This self-awareness enables us to look back on our expeditions with greater clarity, to take more from the experiences and realise an even greater potential for learning. If it is the unknown we once sought and desired, does the unknown ever become the known? What can we take from our experiences once they are over? Quinn, (1990) states that 'without active seeking, without attempting to, and going beyond what one already knows one can accomplish, there is no growth. Strenuousness of mind, heart, and body engenders growth.' We cannot just expect this clarity of mind to come from such outdoor experiences without any effort, but that it in fact needs to be sought to be realised. In order to learn, we must construct our own knowledge, reflect on our experiences and re-evaluate our learning.

Gibbs (1988) presented a model of reflection, which provides us some structure to carrying out reflection. He suggests a cycle of Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, Action Plan. First we must look at the event – where, when, who, why and put it into context. We can then recall and explore how it made us feel – before, during, and after, and how did it make others feel. By evaluating our experience we can look at what was good or bad, what did or didn't work, which enables us to honestly analyse and explore in more detail. In our conclusion we can go about constructing what we have learnt from the previous stages. And finally our action plan looks at how to apply what you have learnt and what will you change.

Of course this is just one model for reflection but it is one way for us to gain maximum learning from our outdoor expeditions. 'The higher the demands of the action or experience, the greater the opportunity for learning, evolving, and eventually fulfilling our potential' (Mortlock, 2009). What is important is to see our reflection as much as a part of the expedition as the physical aspects of it too:

“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again - so why bother in the first place? Just this; what is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs - one sees, one descends - one sees no longer; but one has seen.” (Daumal, 1967)

Not every day will involve opportunities for expeditions in the outdoors but when we are presented with the chance, we can take responsibility for gaining as much as we can from the challenges that we are presented, whether physical or mental. And what we take from those experiences can influence our every day actions and choices.

It is my hope that this essay has addressed the value of outdoor expeditions as a vehicle for personal challenge. The reality for me? Every day is an expedition, life in its totality is an expedition. Surely every day has as element of the unknown – what will each new day bring? What does life hold in store for me? For us?

“Granted that I am the master of my own destiny, how shall I fulfil that destiny?” (Novak, 1970)

To answer that question, I have summarised my feelings in the following phrase – Live to learn, Learn to live. In order to fulfil our potential we need to live to learn, to be passionate about learning and seek learning in all we do. This will enable us to deal with the various eventualities' life throws at us. Let us approach each day as an adventure, a challenge, to see what we are capable of, to feel alive.

References

Bonington, C. (1981) Quest for Adventure, London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.

Daumal, R. (1967) Mount Analogue: a novel of symbolically authentic non-Euclidean adventures in mountain climbing, San Francisco: City of Lights Books.

Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods, Oxford: Further Education Unit, Oxford Polytechnic.

Henderson, R. (1990) 'Every trail has a story: the heritage context as adventure' In: J. Miles and S.Priest, eds. Adventure Education, Pennsylvania: Venture Publishing, p. 138.

Herzog, M. (1952) Annapurna, London: Pimlico.

Hopkins, D. and Putnam, R. (1993) Personal Growth Through Adventure, London: David Fulton Publishing Ltd.

Miles, J. and Priest, S. (1990) Adventure Education, Pennsylvania: Venture Publishing.

Mortlock, C. (2009) The Spirit of Adventure, Kendal: Outdoor Integrity Publishing Ltd.

Mortlock, C. (1984) The Adventure Alternative, Cumbria: Cicerone Press.

Novak, M. (1970) The experience of nothingness, New York: Harper and Row.

Tuckman, B. (1965) Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological bulletin, 63, pp. 384-399

Quin, B. (1990) 'The Essence of Adventure' In: J. Miles and S.Priest, eds. Adventure Education, Pennsylvania: Venture Publishing, pp. 145-147.

Online

Collins. (2011) Expedition [online] Available at: <http://www.collinslanguage.com/results.aspx?context=3&reversed=False&action=define&homonym=-1&text=expedition> [Accessed 24 March 2011]

Wikipedia. (2011) Expedition [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition> [Accessed 24 March 2011]

COPYRIGHT Menna Pritchard 2011