First Challenge to Norway 2024

This year, First Challenge returned to the beautiful country of Norway, and from the moment we touched down in Scandinavia we were immersed in all that this unique setting had to offer; our first night included a sunset walk to a waterfall. However, it’s not called ‘First Challenge’ for nothing, and the pupils were quickly split into groups and given defined roles in areas such as navigation, logistics, medical, and catering. The pupils all returned home quite accomplished chefs, and it’s fair to say we ate like kings! 

Our first trek up a waterfall in the rain certainly tested our waterproofs!

The granite was very slippery underfoot, and probably provided our toughest challenge of the trip, but we made it to the top and home again safe and sound. The weather was unusually rainy for the time of year and the rivers in the national park were flooded; sadly, most of our original plans had to be abandoned. However, our leader, who was phenomenal, created a new three-day hike in a different location, really allowing us to go into the wild.

We picked bilberries, wood sorrel (heart shaped clover leaves), and even munched on forest ants along the way!   

Wild camping was an experience everyone enjoyed, but the highlight for most was the twilight walk to the highest point of the mountain, taking in the breath-taking 360-degree views. We found adders, slow worms, lizards, and even the skull and leg bones of a moose along the way. There was no time to rest though after this demanding journey, and we were straight into a two-day kayak back towards base camp, with an overnight stay on an island in the middle of the river.   

White-water rafting was next on the list and this was a lot of fun; we would have happily spent hours riding the waves.

The Troll Active base camp itself was excellent and the pupils enjoyed playing football and frisbee. The beach volleyball games until 10 at night soon became our routine.   

Completing the high ropes course and taking on the ‘leap of faith’ completed our adventure… or so we thought! The global cyber security crash meant our flights home were cancelled and we were lucky enough to be able to spend two more days at the site! This really was the trip of a lifetime and the pupils learned a lot about themselves. No doubt they will be talking about it for years to come. 

Greg Wilson, Mathematics Teacher

Team 1 Photos

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Team 2 Photos

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Team 3 Photos

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Team 4 Photos

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