12 Spring ‘10 Issue 14

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SUMMIT CLUB TAKES ON BACKCOUNTRY

Twelve members of the Lower Sixth Summit Club set off ‘on a trip like no other’ at half term, taking on the powder of Zinal and the might of Val d’Anniviers, Switzerland – well known for its off-piste credentials.

been pioneered by Andrew Dimberline and BGS. For those who brave it, it’s a chance to develop backcountry skills in an experience not for the faint- hearted. Skiers Tom Barrington and Sam Herrod report.

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Signing on to a backcountry ski trip,

we knew there would be risks. We didn’t imagine the trouble would start at Bristol Airport. Hearing our flight was cancelled we feared the worst, but underestimated the bargaining power of Dr Dimberline. Before we knew it we were heading for Geneva, eager to hit the slopes.

This ski trip was no ordinary one;

free from the confines of the piste, the aim was to better our powder and backcountry skills and tour to a mountain refuge.

challenging week for competent, red run skiers, this unique opportunity has

Ample snow raised our hopes of finding the elusive powder, but warming up on the slopes we only slowly found our feet; the most spectacular descents fell to Tom Barrington, including a 50-metre slide down a black run and a swan dive off a traverse.

Day two and the guides seemed more

confident than us in our abilities, taking us through steep powder slopes and traversing the top of an impressive dam. One Swiss skier claimed we ‘would die’ taking this route. Fortunately, despite runaway skis and some interesting falls, we made it to the bottom in one piece.

We started our ski tour on day four,

heading to the resort of St Luc. We tested our touring skis. The adjustable bindings let you lift your heel and walk uphill. We also tried sticky ‘skins’– a felt which sticks to the bottom of the ski and grips when you move uphill. Using these techniques we arrived at Hotel Weisshorn, an idyllic mountain

refuge with amazing views into the Rhône valley. It was surprisingly good accommodation. Everyone enjoyed the traditional ‘Raclette’, Sam proving his capacity for cheese-eating remains unrivalled.

Day five, our last day: tired legs led to a

division of the groups, some heading for a relaxing day in the cafés and on the piste while others went, all guns blazing, on a final off-piste run. We met at the end of the day in reflective mood amid a volley of snowballs, many of us sad to leave the slopes.

This was a trip like no other and will

hold memories for us in years to come, from epic games of Uno to Ben’s flattened shovel sandwich. We were indebted to our great guides, the dependable Matt and the cheerful Hannah, who challenged us to ski in places that before we had only ever reached in our dreams.

and its Medici Chapel or the many Michelangelo sculptures. Students and staff climbed the 463 steps to the top of the Cathedral and Brunelleschi’s dome. They visited the Orsanmichele, the church of the Florentine guilds, the site of sculptures by Donatello and wondered at the art treasures of the Uffizi Gallery.

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They absorbed the history of the church of Santa Croce, with its tombs of famous politicians and artists, including Macchiavelli and Michelangelo, and relaxed at the Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace, with its wonderful views over the city.

A joint collaboration by the Art and the History departments, exploring Florence helped the historians deepen their understanding of the Renaissance period and provided the artists with invaluable inspiration, photos and sketches for their coursework.

hey walked miles…but sore feet didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Despite the pace of activity, students returned with a refund for a trip that ran under budget – some small compensation for the 9-Euro ice- creams.

“The ceilings, the Medici ball room and the grotto at the Boboli gardens with its carved walls...”

They visited the Services Manager’s suite, the nerve centre for the whole complex, and home to a team of 25 managers responsible for a hundred maintenance, cleaning and security staff.

On a mission to discover how the shopping centre aims to be unique in how it provides excellent customer service, the students tracked down Manager, Richard Belt. They learnt about the significance of the centre in regenerating Bristol, attracting new customers, not only to its shops but to ‘after-dark’ activities, like late night shopping, cinema and restaurants.

As well as discussing the highs, including the design of the centre’s striking roof, the tour ended on a low, in the delivery hub, several hundred metres beneath the centre itself, where security is tight and there are many counter–terrorist procedures to protect the public.

Standing at the top of the cathedral dome seeing a city bathed in orange light

Michelangelo

Sixth Form

Marvelling at

In a trip filled with sights,

sound, colour and masses of Italian culture it was hard for Sixth-form students

returning from Florence to pick out any one highpoint from four action-packed days.

Spring ‘10 Issue 14 13

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RETAIL THERAPY IN

BUSINESS

CLASS

The Lower Sixth Business Studies group was out and about again in March, this time experiencing life behind the scenes at Cabot Circus. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11