Planning for two weeks in a tent then 2.5 weeks road trip!

Yes I made the bed before I left!

SkyWalk... easy...

Although slow we were processed in about an hour and a half and then had to wait a further hour for the bus onto site as the welcome centre is about 20 minutes away just off the highway!

Finally I arrived onto site and at my tent at 0415... breakfast starts at 5... might as well stay up!

I then met up with some of the Rescue/EMS team management and decided tompower through with no sleep in 24 hours !

Hit the ground running!! The site as we drove in was foggy so it was difficult to orientate but it felt a long way!

The morning consisted of induction and briefings on how we are foibg to work.

The team consists of USA, Swedish, German, Colombian, Mexican, Canadian and two UK!

Lots of cultures and languages to overcome!

Once that was done we went out on an orientation drive ariund site to jnderstand thw layout and massive geography! \240Just from my tent to the centre of the site it takes 90 mins to walk via trails over the hills!

The UTVs are Polaris vehicles and capable. They are open cabs and the dust is horrendous!

We then had training on the various US / West Virginia Protocols. The use if King LT airways (what seems and over complicated LMA airway) and then pitstop CPR.

Then Dr. Wong (EMS Physician) did major haemorrhage ttaining for the team. We then were briefed on what critical care resources were available. (Blood, Ultrasound and RSI capable Doctors)

Then i went had a cold shower and then \240to my tent at about 2130 and collapsed aslee after 35+ hours on the go.

After lunch we then went to an operational readiness status and went out on standby to oeavtice the systems.

While we were doing this they ran a major incident exercise to test all the agencies.

They rolled a school bis on its side and filled it with casualties. They then set the story that the bus had plowed through the crowd and rolled.

This was hot and difficult work which in the middle of we ended up with 16 heat related real casualties and also Tim and I ended up attending the first EMS tasking if the event!

Once this was finished we were debriefed and stood down for the evening!

The weather forecast says we should expect heavy rain and the temperature should drop in the couple of days!

At 1415 Bravo team met up at ems base and got a minibus to Charlie camp for a K Pop concert.. which was kind of cool and a new experience!

Katie popped by on her way to the opening ceremony nd met my crew mate Tim.

The K pop BNF were kinda ok.. non offensive cheesy pop like the backstreet boys!

They give all profits to scouting in developing countries which is cool!

We then finished about 1630 and wandered across the site to summit centre for dinner and a brief before the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony started at 1930 and was really impressive with 50000+ people in the stadium. Bear Gryls abseiled in to the stage and have a great talk to the scouts. The flag and nation welcome was amazing when they showed the Union Jack the uk. \240Contingent erupted.

The opening ceremony was excellent and the band who played music on the blenders and recycled bins and even used angle grinders on metal to make tunes really got the crowd going!

I dealt with two incidents and missed the finale which was the use of drones to make light displays above the stage.

We dropped our overnight kit off at the temporary tent and then went for a drive round to acquaint ourselves with the layout etc.

Once we had an idea of the layout and locations we set up under the shade at Eagles Nest Lodge.

We were fed and supported up at eagles lodge all day while working which was lovely!

Vehicle washing facilities...

Even Santa dropped in for Tea as it was Xmas day at the lodge!

Echo base camp on the trail out.

The trails are great walking and shaded, several deer seen but no bears!

The weather is incredibly changeable, as I crossed the dam there was a lightning warning announced and a massive rain shower passed through lasting 20 minutes. It was like being in a warm shower.

The zip wire down the valley finishes in the summit centre.

The \240console energy bridge is cool, it has two ways to cross either on the sides which take you to the top and to a platform below or straight across.

Met up with Besty after her shift ended and we walked back to echo together.

The total distance covers for the day was 20km on foot!

Smokey Bear and Woodsey Owl...

Japanese contingent on route to the show.

The jamboree band playing music for the units on their way to the cultural show!

Sunset from our initial standby location at the Cultural Show.

Backstage and in the pit with Broadway sings Disney!