BOBC Norway

Anyone familiar with BOBC Norway?

(FYI it's in southern Norway, north of Kristansand by a small town called Evje)

I did a general mountaineering course there in 1978. First time (the only time) I've ever been thrown off a cliff on a stretcher (simulated casualty) or experienced whiteout conditions. We once stopped for a brew on a mountain ridge and as we looked down into the valley below us we watched thousands of reindeer being rounded up by helicopters, an incredible sight. I always intended to put my name down for another course but for some reason never quite got around to it.

I did two trips to BOBC, both canoeing, one in summer when it was the hottest place i had ever been, and once in winter when it was freezing cold. great place though, loved it

When we arrived at Kristiansand the climbers and canoeists were split up and went there seperate ways, a fortnight later after the course we all met up again at Kristiansand to get the ferry back to Denmark. The canoeists all had blistered hands, I remember thinking...mental note, stick to climbing!

Yes, a bunch of us went in the 60s, not sure of date. the centre was then along the coast East of Kristiansand. I selected walking/map reading rather than the water sports, I hate cold water!
With the "assistance" of our leader, a young 2 Lt from the SCLI we outwitted the DS for the whole two weeks and had a fabulous time holed up in a small town. Full details will be given if anyone is interested, at a later date. We had FUN FUN FUN.

Ah wis conned!
I applied for and was successful on gaining a place on a 'Downhill Ski Course' It was January 1978. It wasn't until after a 30 hour cross country train, coach and boat ride did I arrive to find I was on a Langlauf course!
I wasn't prepared for the physical effort required to run cross country, through thick snow, with a pair of planks strapped to my feet!
I did pass - just; but I did go on to do more skiing, both Downhill and Langlauf and enjoy it!

Did two outward bound courses in Norway, One a Canoing/Walking - A walking up & down hills followed by a week canoing up and down the fiord's back towards base.

Thing I remember was that all the vehicles were painted Dark Blue (even the assault boats) with BFG number plates.

Second time was a winter skiing course.

PLUS 2 Winter Exercises with AMF(L) which were not 'Adventure Training' but fun never the less.

Could never understand why BOBC Norway tried so hard to be neutral when Norway was a member of NATO, and we carried out a major Arctic exercises in the country every year?

Never had the luck to do that, wish I had.

Hi I was a member of BOBC first as the centre Medic and stand by saftey boat crew for the sea canoeing and inland water caneoing in winter I was up country to the winter centre, for the Xcountry ski-ing and as part of BAMSA a Norwegian highlevel ski expedition which was a 3 day drive to north Norway then a 7-8 day ski-ing back to Hovden via Eidsburgarden, Sulebu, Bjordalsbu and a few more . It was a tri service event we had 3 WRENS but only one finished the course.
I would be interested to hear if it is still there under an other name, the reason that we wore blue shirts and trousers and the transport were blue was the far right of the locals who said we trained the Special forces of NATO so the joint decisison BAOR/Norway was that did not have any military kit in the camps, the only military item student were aloud to bring was the Maggot (sleeping Bag).
I hope that helps

Brian

Hi, I did a course there in 77 and we did the rock climbing, abseiling, orienteering, river crossing and hill/mountain walking.
I recall the full screw instructor trying to walk the legs off us on one occasion only to discover me sticking doggedly to his heels. In the end he admitted defeat and asked me to take a different track from him as he needed some "space".
I didn't tell him I had been brought up to go Grouse beating in the north east of Scotland from a young age and found his pace easy to keep up with.

I remember we all got off the boat, Fred Olssen ferries, in Kristiansand, and into trucks and off to the centre, which was at a place called Isafieur (bad spelling, it means Ice feather). on arrival everyone on the canoe course had to drop their bags, find a pair of trunks, and go jump off a cliff and into the fjord, swim round the point and back to shore. if you failed you were put back on the return ferry. One of the boys almost drowned, he was half pissed, when asked why he had come on an anvanced canoe course when he couldnt swim, he said canoeing !!! I came to do mountain climbing !!!!

we did some serious white water up country and boy was it cold. i remember getting up in the morning, putting on a frozen wet suit and then pissing in it. warmest you were going to feel all day !!!

servant here as mt nco Gautestad.. had a great time.. did mtn rock climber course HS.. cant understand that Isafjær's a Nudist camp now..lol...

Nice to hear something new on the site!

Thxs
Alan

starlight4092 wrote:

Brian Roberts wrote:

Hi I was a member of BOBC first as the centre Medic and stand by saftey boat crew for the sea canoeing and inland water caneoing in winter I was up country to the winter centre, for the Xcountry ski-ing and as part of BAMSA  a Norwegian highlevel ski expedition which was a 3 day drive to north Norway then a 7-8 day ski-ing  back to Hovden via Eidsburgarden, Sulebu, Bjordalsbu and a few more . It was a tri service event we had 3 WRENS but only one finished the course.
I would be interested to hear if it is still there under an other name, the reason that we wore blue shirts and trousers and the transport were blue was the far right of the locals who said we trained the Special forces of NATO so the joint decisison BAOR/Norway was that did not have any military kit in the camps, the only military item student were aloud to bring was the Maggot (sleeping Bag).
I hope that helps

Brian

Hi, Brian I was Medic for BMTC 1988- 1992.
During WW2 Britain looked after the Norwegean Royal Family and Government. It was as a thank you for this that BOBC later BMTC was allowed to exist. Norway doesn't allow for foreign troops to be permanently stationed in country. Foreign troops are allowed as you know to carry out winter warfare courses for part of the year only. BMTC was the only exception to this rule and were allowed to be permanently based  in Norway provided we de-militarised ourselves; no guns ,salutes, first name terms, blue vehicles with red stripe etc... hope this clears things up. Kind regards Craig
.

Hello Craig
I served at BMTC in April to September '89.
Along with Geordie Cranny.
Regards Sean

Hi Sean, was you based in Isefjær Fjorden? Isefjær was the headquarter element of BMTC on the south coast; east of Kristiansand? I lived in Evje and worked up in the mountain wing at Gauterstad. Gauterstad overlooked a big lake called Høveringsvatnet and was 14 kilometers from the Village. My son, daughter and grand kids still live in Evje. Not sure if I remember you. What's your surname? All the best.

Yes. My name is Sean Wright

Yes, in the fact we at the HQ element. I'm in 3rd row from bottom, 2nd in from the right

I remember you now Sean lol! That photo has brought back a lot of memories. Happy days.

There are somany names I've forgotten.

If you are on FB drop me a request or message me on whatsapp 07786 663549

Are you on the photo?

Yes, I'm front row first on the right.

Craig Dunwell