The group of students and alumni spent ten days climbing and sailing in the Lofoten Islands, Norway.

A group of student and alumni explorers from across Imperial has spent two weeks sailing and climbing in Norway this summer, thanks to funding from Imperial’s Exploration Board. The board was established in 1955 to consider proposals for expeditions submitted by Imperial students, with the aim of providing opportunities to gain experience in teamwork, planning and outdoor skills. All students are eligible to take part, as well as alumni within 12 months of their graduation date.

“The Exploration Board is one of the best things I’ve had access to at Imperial." Cosima Graef Expedition leader

The trip was led by Cosima Graef, PhD student in the Department of Computing, and had two objectives; to explore challenging climbing opportunities and to adopt sailing as a low-carbon travel option. Plans for the trip included rigorous risk assessments, physical training, and practical skills like rope rescue and first aid. 

Miguel Boland, a PhD student from the Department of Mathematics who joined the trip, didn’t have much outdoor climbing experience before he came to Imperial. He said: “The Imperial  Mountaineering Club is one of the most active university climbing clubs in the country and can support people with no climbing experience to become confident mountaineers.”

Cosima added that people don’t need to be elite athletes to join an expedition. “I wasn’t the strongest climber on the trip, but I was still able to lead the group,” she said. “I’ve learnt so many of my skills through the Mountaineering Club and the Exploration Board - there are lots of people willing to share their expertise.”

Miguel says one of his highlights from the trip was climbing a 450 metre tall mountain face with Rory, a friend and fellow expedition member, which pushed him to his limits and tested his knowledge and skills. For Cosima, her highlight was successfully navigating a challenging alpine ridge that took 23 hours to complete. She says that getting back to the boat, where the skipper - the President of the Imperial College Yacht Club - had cooked dinner ready for them, was the best feeling.

Lorraine Craig, Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching for the Faculty of Engineering and Chair of the Exploration Board said: “It’s fantastic to see the range of expeditions that our Imperial students undertake each year - sailing, mountaineering, bike-packing, trekking. Expeditions provide an amazing opportunity to gain experience in working and living with other people, sometimes in challenging circumstances. Alumni of the Exploration Board have gone on to even more adventurous activities after they leave Imperial, for example Andreas Morgenson  who joined the International Space Station.  

We all started our expedition careers under the guidance of others, and my role on the Board is to support students through the planning of what is often their first real expedition alongside completing their studies at Imperial College London. If only we could join them!”

Cosima added: “The Exploration Board is one of the best things I’ve had access to at Imperial. I’ve developed skills that I can apply to my PhD, particularly in leadership, planning and being able to work under pressure. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested to join one of the sports clubs at Imperial or submit a proposal to the board.”

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Find out more about the Exploration Board and how to submit an expedition proposal.