Y9 SIS Scouts Cross Hong Kong Island in 30km Expedition
Four Y9 students took on a special challenge over the weekend: they hiked from the Peak all the way up to Shek O road – all on their own, without adults on the trail.
Charles-Gautier Joly and Lionel Troy (Bahay (9B2), Johnathon Cheng (Maison 9M2), Joshua Lim (Shtepi (9S2) are all senior Scouts at 150th Hong Kong Group, where over two thirds of Scouts are from SIS.
The expedition was led by Sven Toucheboeuf, 14, from FIS, who is working on the prestigious Chief Scout’s Award. The Scouts started in clouds and drizzle on Saturday, making the Hong Kong Trail quite slippery. They went round the Tai Tam Reservoirs, skirting around the Twins and they pitched their tents at St Stephen’s in Stanley. The final 10K on Sunday were quite challenging, in blazing sun.
As the Scout motto says: “Be Prepared.”
Almost a year’s worth of planning and training went into organising this expedition, including a 20K hike last spring. The Scouts also signed up for a weekend first aid course and Scout Leadership training.
In addition, 3 experienced Scout leaders were on standby to help in case of an emergency, as well as closely monitoring their progress – but it was entirely up to the Scouts to plan and execute the hike.
Along the way, the Scouts saw a (harmless) Chinese Mountain Snake and found a porcupine quill. They had to be careful not to leave any food inside tents to avoid night raids by wild boars.
150th Hong Kong Scouts welcomes girls and boys, age 11 to 15, and is based at St Stephen’s Chapel in Stanley.
Corinne Vigniel
Scout Leader, 150th Hong Kong Group, St Stephen’s, Stanley
