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As I write it's less than 20 weeks before BSES AK1 gathers at Gatwick to begin the experience of a lifetime. There's still a great deal left to do to enable the expedition to get into the field and to achieve its objectives. The next few months will be hectic but hopefully productive: arranging internal transport (yellow school 'buses & rented 4x4) and the temporary accommodation when travelling to and from the Base Camp (school gymnasium floor?); planning and ordering food (purchased and collected in AK); collecting together the necessary group equipment (tents, stoves – we will be trialling a newly designed and super-duper variety – ropes for river crossings and tarpaulins for shelter from the rain!); and confirming our needs for the wilderness river rafting.
We have a strong and competent leader team, although we are still looking for a doctor. I am confident however that a medic. will join us in Alaska. In the meantime, Dr Fiona Cooke who was a doctor on BSES AK99, is kindly helping the office with your questionnaires (enclosed with this communication). The Chief Scientist, Dr. Malcolm Bell, is planning scientific and worthwhile activities and no doubt will tell you all about them in detail at the Briefing just after Easter. There have been, and still are some problems with the science programme, but we are VERY confident that you will be gainfully employed (!) whilst in the wilderness, benefiting both the host (BLM) and the overall body of knowledge of the area, which currently is quite scant!
A great deal of information will be shared with you at the Briefing and it will be an occasion to meet your Fire (see list), other colleagues and most of the leaders. Unfortunately not all leaders will be able to attend (work or distance prevents) but at least one of your Fire leaders – there will be two per Fire – will be present to discuss your concerns etc. The character of a BSES expedition does not easily allow for face-to-face meetings, regular communication or training, or indeed other forms of preparation, as would, for example, a school or college-based affair, so it is vitally important that you make the most of the opportunity in Cambridge.
Included in this package is a breakdown of the expeditions costs, if you have questions about this then raise them at the Briefing. In fact, save any questions you may have until the Briefing, don't worry if you feel they may be foolish, lots of others may also need to know the answer too. See if other Yes and / or leaders live in your locality, this may be an opportunity for joint travel, fund raising, PR etc. It is planned that there will be an Expedition Handbook which will include a variety of information – more about this at Perse – it will be important to read. In case you are considering buying personal gear, you are advised to delay purchase until you have listened to leaders who will have experience to pass onto you – listen to it and then take your decision.
My guess is that collecting the financial contribution and preparing for examinations are both high on your list of priorities right now. Make every effort to keep to the schedule of payments wherever possible as this will ease the ultimate burden – it is difficult when the money just doesn't come in I know but….! Examinations well they are important, but keep them in perspective!
What can you do at the moment towards the expedition in terms of training and preparation? Most importantly, maintain that fitness (start a programme NOW if you are unfit), test out any gear or clothing you might consider taking, keep the money coming in, read about Alaska (if you have the time) any fiction or non-fiction will give a "flavour" (the book "Alaska" by Mitchener is long, detailed and close to the truth, and is a good read too!), but above all else answer any communication sent to you by the office rapidly and completely. We rely on your responsibility to do this and other tasks as will become apparent throughout the course of your involvement with BSES AK1.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone at Cambridge in April.