150 days to go

Practice may mean perfect, but not at the cost of a bit of book learnin’. As I’m sure that Touching the Void fella would attest, if you’re going to look down and see your shin bone poking through your knee, you want to know what it is, why it’s there and what type of fisherman’s knot you’re going to need to tie a nearby piece of vine into to restrain it.

To that end I have been reading a series of survival guides. And not any survival - 1950s RAF survival. Where the SAS Survival Handbook is a good source of rabbit-peeling tips, this will keep you alive and ensure that you remain a fine, upstanding representative of the Empire at the same time. Ideal.

Some edited highlights

Jungle survival (relevant - we will be travelling through such terrain at the base of the mountain)

Whatever type of country into which you are unfortunate enough to crash-land, or bale out, or if after a successful ditching you make a landfall on some small tropical island, your chances of survival and eventual rescue depend on a few definite factors. By far the most important is determination to live.

If you wish to attract attention, do not wear yourself out by shouting. Hit the trunk of a tall tree with a stout stick

Never rush blindly forward

Take things easily, giving yourself a break every hour or thereabouts. This break of five or 10 minutes should be utilised to discuss your route, take refreshment and de-leech

Natives:

Treat natives like human beings and don't 'look down' on them; after all, you will be wanting their help sooner or later

LEAVE THE NATIVE WOMEN ALONE

Entertain and be a good audience

Take practical jokes in good part

When you depart be sure to leave a good impression

Hunting:

Learn to attract animals by kissing the back of your hand vigorously and making a squeaking noise, which indicates the presence of a wounded mouse or bird; that should definitely attract some hungry animal. But learn to conceal yourself.

Conclusion:
The jungle is by no means as formidable a place as the average person imagines. There are many difficulties and snags, but the large majority of these can be surmounted, and eventually, with due care, consideration and perseverance, one can expect to arrive amongst friends. Undoubtably a little weary, worn, unkempt and certainly sick of jungle foods, hard rations and the irritating forms of jungle life; but nevertheless, safe and sound, ready to carry on as before


What we have learned:
More than we thought possible and that it’s all going to be OK in the end, probably with tea.

Boot update:
Leeches. ‘Nuff said.