Introduction

In 1942, the race was on to prevent Hitler from realising his nuclear ambitions and the allies would do whatever it took to prevent the Nazi’s from creating the first bomb. Norway had been occupied by Germany in 1940, who were well aware that the Norsk Hydro Plant was producing Deuterium as a by-product of its operations. Otherwise known as ‘Heavy-Water’, D2O was key to producing nuclear material and the Nazi’s had immediately increased production. The RAF attempted to destroy the plant from the air but as you’ll see on your trip, this is simply not possible.

Worried, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) began to draw up plans for raids from the ground and so having recruited a group of Norwegian locals, then in October 1942 inserted them back onto the Hardanger Vidda plateau via parachute. Operation Grouse was the first in a series of raids and will be the one of three which you will follow in its entirety to its spectacular conclusion at the Norsk Hydro Plant. It would take time for the Norwegian Commandos to move into position to receive a group of Royal Engineers who would then be led to the plant to destroy it so they moved as quickly as they could to recce landing zones and make sure there was no Nazi presence.

Once the signal was given, Operation Freshman was launched. This audacious but doomed plan saw a troop of Royal Engineers loaded onboard two Horsa gliders which were pulled by Halifax bombers but due to a series of misfortunes, one of the Halifax bombers and both gliders crash landed into the mountains. Those who were not killed on impact were soon rounded up by the Gestapo and executed under Hitler’s infamous ‘Commando Order’. This devastating loss of life also seriously impacted the men of Operation Grouse who feared the Gestapo would soon be on their trail too and so fled deeper into the savage wilderness. Surviving for months on moss and litchen, these hardy Norwegians attempted to maintain morale whilst they waited for news of a new operation.

After 4 months on the plateau, the final operation was launched which saw a further 6 Norwegian Commandos parachuted onto the plateau under codename, Operation Gunnerside. They quickly met the Operation Grouse men and immediately began to prepare for a raid onto the power station. Security was much higher as a result of the failed Operation Freshman so the only bridge over the gorge was not an option. Instead the raiders had to find a route down off the Hardanger Vidda through the forests to the plant.

It is only when you follow this final attack route that you will truly appreciate the scale of their task. That they successfully destroyed the machinery inside the plant after 5 gruelling months in the harsh Norwegian winter is a true testimony to their Commando ethos.

Itinerary

Day 1 :
Your expedition starts at Oslo Airport where the team will take you into the hangar to do final kit checks and give a final briefing on the expedition. In the evening the complete team will have a meal in a local restaurant and have time to socialise in the bar Accommodation Camp cots with sleeping bags
 
Day 2 :
Travel to Byglandsfjord from Manchester Airport
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Manchester Airport and catch a short flight to Oslo. Upon arrival we will collect our hire vehicles and commence our journey west towards the Revsnes Hotel in Byglandsfjord where you will be based for the training phase of the expedition. Accommodation is a comfortable hotel with stunning views over a frozen fjord. Evening meal will be served in the restaurant followed by an introductory brief from the Mountain Guide on clothing and the days ahead.
 
Day 3 :
An introduction to Nordic Skiing
Today, following a breakfast in the hotel restaurant we will head to the stores to draw kit before commencing ski training at the Hogas Ski Centre. This is a chance to shake out into your teams and along with your Commando partner, learn to ski both on manicured routes and off-piste. This will be the first time you will spend a full day outdoors so will be a great opportunity to test your kit, adjust your clothing and prepare yourself for the challenge ahead. In the evening you will again take a meal in the hotel restaurant and in the evening have chance to learn more about exactly what the Commandos had to do to survive and operate on the Hardanger Vidda.
 
Day 4 :
Advanced Nordic Skiing training as a team
After a breakfast in the hotel, you will return to the Hogas Ski Centre, this time as a team to pull you pulk across a testing route, to fine tune working as a team and swapping positions. During the day you will learn more about winter survival skills, camp craft and the use of snow-shoes. In the afternoon you will have chance to visit the local town to purchase any last minute items before heading back to the hotel to pack your kit under the supervision of your Commando partner.
 
Day 5 :
Move onto the Hardanger Vidda - 12km
After an early breakfast the team will load up the expedition kit and head to Songekrysset where you will leave the hire vehicles and meet the local Snow Scooter guides who will take you onto the plateau. After an exhilarating ride on the back of a snow scooter, you will arrive at the desolate Operation Grouse Drop Zone (DZ). Once the scooters depart, you will move as a team to the first overnight accommodation which is Berunuten Hytte, one of the original sabotage huts. Upoin arrival you must ensure the fires are lit, snow is collected for water and rations prepared.
 
Day 6 :
From Berunuten to Bitdal Lake - 23km
Today is a long drag along the lake and up over a mountain so you will be tested as a team to navigate, encourage each other and reach your destination before nightfall. Upon arrival you will split between two hyttes and again light the fires, dry kit and feed. These two huts again were used by the raiders so it will be a perfect chance to learn more about the Commandos and their exploits.
 
Day 7 :
Bitdal Lake to Reinar Hytte - 13km
Passing from the lake and its dam, you will move down off the plateau into more undulating terrain before reaching Reinar Hytte. Tonight you will have the option of sleeping in the accommodation or a snowhole which is surprisingly pleasant. Make sure you look our at the stars this evening as you will see more of the universe than you would have seen before.
 
Day 8 :
Reinar Hytte to Vierli Ski Centre - 20km
Today you will move from the wilderness towards civilisation as you reach compacted tracks used by the locals. Whilst still a long day you will find yourselves increasing in pace towards the Landing Zone (LZ) of Operation Freshman, the ill-fated operation by 9th Field Company, 1st British Airborne Division. It is here that you will complete the pulk-pull, having successfully crossed the Hardanger Vidda. After a chance to enjoy a fresh cooked meal at the Vierli Ski Centre, you will move to Rjukan in the hire vehicles to the High Mountain Hotell Skinnarbu where you will have chance to freshen up before dinner. In the evening, you will be given a presentation on the resistance in the area and how the hotel you are staying in served as their HQ. This will be followed by a set of orders for the following days raid. Evening meal will be in the hotel restaurant.
 
Day 9 :
Norsk Hydro Plant Advance to Contact - 6.5km
Today after an early breakfast you will be met by the local guide and historian to retrace the Op Gunnerside advance to contact sabotage route. Wearing white camouflage clothing, you will move down the gorge to the Hydro Plant. Upon arrival you will have chance to look around the great hall of the plant and see the site of the destruction. Fortunately you do not need to now escape to a safe country and instead can celebrate with a trip to Krossobanen and visit to Rjukan. Upon completion, you will return to the High Mountain Hotell Skinnarbu for a final night where you will have chance to hand back any kit and equipment, have a debrief on the expedition and prepare to travel home the following day. Evening meal in the hotel restaurant.
 
Day 10 :
Return to UK
Following breakfast in the hotel restaurant, the team will say farewell and depart back to Oslo, dropping the hire vehicles off and flying back to home locations.
 

registrations are not available

The entry limit has been reached.

 

Terms and Conditions

1. CS22 Veteran Expeditions CIC Services
CS22 facilitates the raising of funds for individuals by arranging overseas expeditions as specified in the participant’s itinerary. Individuals joining an event must raise at least the minimum fundraising target applicable to their chosen trip. The trip cost is paid by the organisation out of the participant’s Fundraising Target. The trip cost will be no more than 75% of the participant’s fundraising target (excluding any surcharges), and the remaining fundraised monies are kept by CS22 Veteran Expeditions CIC.

CS22 works with tour operators to plan the itinerary for the challenges offered many months in advance. While CS22 designs challenge itineraries in consultation with tour operators, occasionally the tour operators may have to make changes to proposed itineraries either before or after bookings have been confirmed. CS22 will liaise on the participants behalf with the tour operators to ensure that such changes are minor and that all programmes run as scheduled. It does however recognise the need to make such changes and reserves the right to allow programme amendments if it feels the changes will be beneficial to the group or in the interest of safety. In such cases CS22 will endeavour to inform the participant of any changes as soon as possible.

Any problems/complaints with an individual’s programme during the challenge should be resolved by prior discussions with the tour operator or the nominated local representative whilst overseas or by getting in touch with our support team in the UK. If the participant feels that their problem has not been adequately dealt with, they should contact the CS22 UK support team for assistance. If the participant remains unsatisfied with the resolution provided they may send a written complaint to the CS22 office in Macclesfield, UK. This letter should be sent no later than 14 days after the return of the trip in order for CS22 to effectively investigate and respond to the complaint. Letters of complaint will normally be acknowledged within 3 working days, and a response sent as soon as relevant details of the complaint have been procured.

2. Tour arrangements
The participant recognises that for fundraising challenges that CS22 will be paying the trip costs from the fundraising monies raised. In this connection participants accept that:

2.1. CS22 will be acting on behalf of the participant in arranging and making tour arrangements.

2.2. CS22 will arrange to make payments on behalf of the participant for the tour arrangements as required, including any booking deposits to reserve their spot. However final payments to confirm their participation will only be made once the minimum fundraising target has been met by the participant.

2.3. CS22 will share the details, provided by the participant at the time of registration with the tour operator and or any third party selected to make arrangements for the smooth running of the challenge event.

2.4. If the participant would like to make a change to the details, they have provided at the time of registration they will have until the first fundraising deadline to amend these details. After this date, arrangements will be made based upon the details provided and the participant may incur a £100 charge for any subsequent changes that are required to be made.

2.5. The participants will also receive from the charity a final balance confirmation showing the total donation once the trip costs have been paid.

3. Participant obligations

Travel Documents
It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that the following actions are complied with prior to the trip:

  • They have a passport valid for at least 6 months prior to the start of their trip and appropriate entry documents (see Visa below).
  • They have had the necessary inoculations (including COVID vaccinations as required for travel or local country entry), within the appropriate time frame as recommended by a healthcare professional.
  • They have obtained appropriate comprehensive travel insurance cover.
  • They have obtained appropriate DBS or PVG check clearance.
  • They have obtained Fit to Travel clearance if required due to medical conditions.

Visa (and immigration formalities)
The participant is responsible for their own travel documents and must check the same to ensure that all necessary procedures are adhered to and that they reflect their travel arrangements. CS22 do not accept any liability for financial loss incurred by failure to have the correct travel documentation. The relevant High Commission, Embassy or Border Immigration issues visas at their discretion and CA cannot be held responsible for the type, duration or endorsements and restrictions.

Code of Conduct
While taking part in an overseas expedition the participant accepts that they will be perceived as representatives of CS22 and agree to adhere to local laws and customs regarding their behaviour and conduct. Participants will be required to sign a Code of Conduct which they agree to abide with while on their programme.

CS22 reserve the right to dismiss from the programme any participant who is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, or whose conduct is deemed to be detrimental to the programme or other participants. In the event of this case, CS22 cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred by the participant and no fees will be refunded.

4. Fees and Payments
The fee for the trip consists of two parts: the ‘Registration Fee’ and the ‘Fundraising Target’. The Registration fee may be payable in instalments at the time of booking and is non-refundable subject to a 72 hours ‘cooling off’ period as explained below in Clause 6. The fundraising target is set by the Charity and includes the trip cost, as well as a donation to the Charity.

i. The participant must pay the Registration Fee direct to CS22 at the time of booking.

ii. If the participant cancels their registration within 72 hours of the initial Registration Fee being paid then this may be refunded to them and the subsequent instalment will not be charged. If the participant cancels their registration after the 72-hour period, the first instalment of the Registration Fee is non-refundable and the subsequent instalment will be charged automatically from their chosen payment method.

iii. The participants place on the expedition will not be confirmed until they have paid the registration fee in full and their place maybe cancelled if their payments are not received as scheduled. In such a situation, the participant will not receive a refund for payments made.

iv. The participant must meet their fundraising target as per the fundraising schedule provided, with their full fundraising target met no less than 8 weeks prior to the commencement of their trip.

v. The participant must book on to the trip in their own name. The participant, may not under circumstances, substitute another person in their place on any trip.

vi. CS22 shall pay the trip cost as required prior to the commencement of the trip, provided CS22 has received sufficient amounts to cover the trip cost from the participant.

vii. If the participant wishes to pay the trip cost themselves (as opposed to this being paid for out of the Fundraising Target) they can do so.

If the participant is unable to reach their Fundraising Target by the set date or dates, as provided in the fundraising schedule, it is at the discretion of CS22 to provide them with the following options:

  1. Ask they to pay the deficit of the fundraising target themselves to meet the specified amounts by the deadline dates provided in the fundraising schedule.
  2. Transfer to a later departure to allow them more time to continue to raise the deficit funds.
  3. Any other arrangement can be made at the discretion of CS22 
  4. If none of these options are available, then this will be considered a cancellation by the participant and will be subject to the clause 6. below.

If the participant is concerned about raising the minimum fundraising target by the scheduled dates, they must contact CS22 to inform them as soon as possible.

Please also note that CS22 reserves the right, by giving notice to the participant any time before departure, to increase the fees to reflect an increase in costs, caused by factors outside our control. The participant is entitled, within five days of receiving our advice of such an increase, to cancel by means of a registered letter, that part of the services to which the increase applies.

Any changes to the programme instigated by the participant require approval by CS22 and will attract an administration fee of £100, in addition to third party costs.

5. Costs and Surcharges
The fundraising target for the participant’s selected expedition is based upon a budgeted trip cost relevant to the destination.

A surcharge may be applicable to allow for changes in costs by any government action including but not limited to new or increased taxes such as VAT, or in changes in embarkation or disembarkation fees, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, or to allow for fluctuations in applicable exchange rates. Under these circumstances, CS22 reserves the right to increase the cost of the challenge, which may result in a change to the participant’s Fundraising Target.

Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase in costs exceeds 2% of the Trip Costs (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), will CS22 levy a surcharge. If any such surcharge is greater than 10% of the Trip Costs (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges), the participant will be entitled to cancel their booking unless discretionary options set out in clause 4 above are offered and accepted. All cancellations are subject to Clause 6 below.

6. Extension Trip
The participant may be offered the opportunity to participate in an extension trip. To secure their place on this trip they will be required to pay a non-refundable Booking Fee to CS22.

All extension trips are operated by selected travel providers, who will invoice the participant for the extension trip along with relevant payment information. The payment will be split into two parts, a non-refundable deposit, and a balance payment.

If the participant cancels up to 12 weeks before departure, monies will be refunded minus the deposit, charges and any third-party costs incurred or will incur. Any cancellation by the participant thereafter will not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.

7. Cancellation
CS22 requires the participant to pay a Registration Fee, either in full or in agreed instalments to book a place on a CS22 event. This enables CS22 to process their booking and provide them the services outlined in clause 1. CS22 provides a 72 hour ‘cooling off’ period after which the registration fee is non-refundable. If the participant chooses to pay in instalments the first instalment will be non-refundable and they will still be liable for the subsequent instalment(s) which will be charged automatically from their chosen method of payment.

The participant must meet their fundraising target as per the fundraising schedule provided, with their full Fundraising Target met no less than 8 weeks prior to the commencement of their trip. All donations made in relation to the participant’s fundraising target are therefore ineligible for refunds even if the participant does not participate in the challenge event, for any reason. 

All participants in this context agree to make donors aware that they are making an irrevocable donation to CS22 when soliciting sponsorship.

The individual’s participation in the expedition is dependent on reaching a minimum fundraising target by a set date or dates (given to them by CS22).  If the participant fails to reach the minimum fundraising target in the required time frame, CS22 reserve the right to treat this as a cancellation by the participant unless discretionary options set out in clause 4 are offered.

If the participant chooses to leave the programme early, for any reason, no amounts will be refunded.

Deferral
The participant may choose to defer their trip to the following calendar year. If they are on a fundraising challenge, CS22 may allow them to carry-over any monies raised and count these monies toward their fundraising target for a trip departing in the calendar year following the one in which their trip was originally due to take place.

The participant may defer at any time from registration up until 8 weeks prior to departure. All deferrals are subject to a £200 deferral fee payable to CS22. CS22 will hold any Registration Fees and/or extension trip payments in credit against the participants deferred trip. If the participant defers to a trip with a lower Registration Fee and/or a lower Fundraising Target they will not be entitled to refund from CS22.

The participant’s deferral will not be confirmed until CS22 have received payment of the deferral fee. Once CS22 have received the deferral fee the participant will be issued with a discount code, which will enable them to register for a trip in the following calendar year. The participant must have registered for their deferred trip no later than the 1st of January in the calendar year in which their deferred trip takes place. Failure to register with the code before this date will lead to the forfeiture of all monies paid to CS22 and the loss of their right to register for a deferred trip with CS22.

The participant may not defer more than once. If they choose to defer but then do not participate in a trip in the following calendar year, then they forfeit all monies paid to CS22.

8. Minimum Numbers
All trips are subject to a minimum number of participants. Should a trip not reach the minimum number of participants CS22 will inform the participant at least 10 weeks prior to departure. In this instance CS22 will:

a) Suggest an alternative trip or departure for the participant to transfer to.

b) Offer the option, if possible, for the participant to travel alone or in a smaller group – cost may vary.

In a situation where neither of the above options are possible and the trip is cancelled due to minimum numbers not having been met (not including any circumstance outlined in clause 10) CS22 will provide a full refund of the Registration Fee and any other payments made to CS22. All cancellations will be subject to clause 7.

9. Health and Safety
The participant accepts that most challenges involve hazards, require physical fitness, and often take place in underdeveloped countries or rural locations. These challenges have inherent risks and while CS22 will ensure that the trips are organised in a manner that minimises risk, the participant acknowledges that by booking onto a CS22 expedition they accept this inherent risk and take responsibility to ensure they have the required physical fitness and training for the trip. CS22 expect that any safety equipment provided is worn correctly at all times and any instructions provided by guides and other local representatives are adhered to at all times.

The participant is required to declare any specialised health, medical or dietary requirements at the time of booking.

The participant acknowledges that travelling independently and outside the pre-set itinerary, before, during and after their programme is entirely at their own risk and choosing to operate any motorised vehicles, obtaining the necessary license, permission and insurance is their own responsibility. CS22 do not accept responsibility for any loss or injury (including, without limitation, loss of personal property, illness, death or personal injury) suffered by the participant, which is caused by a third party that is unconnected to CS22, or results from any programme or component of travel which has not been arranged by CS22.

Whilst CS22 recognises that it has a duty of care to ensure participants are safe, participants take part in all programmes at their own risk. CS22 cannot accept responsibility for participants health & safety whilst in the host country or for any loss or damage to property or any third parties’ property or persons howsoever caused.

Notwithstanding this, CS22 does not seek to exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence on its part or for any other loss or damage for which it is legally prohibited to exclude or restrict liability.

CS22 and any representative third parties reserve the right to prevent or curtail a participant’s involvement in an event for the safety of the event and all participants.

10. Force Majeure
Neither party shall be liable to the other for any delay or non-performance of its obligations in respect of our agreement arising from any cause beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, any industrial dispute, acts of God, fire, natural disasters, pandemics, weather conditions, computer or system failure, acts of war (declared or otherwise), terrorism, civil unrest, military or usurped power, confiscation by or under the order of any government or public local authority or for any reason beyond our control. CS22 are not liable for refunds for loss or costs incurred following actions such as cancelling or prematurely ending any or all elements of the trip as a result of any of the above-mentioned reasons or advice from governmental or other official bodies.

Where force majeure results in the cancellation of the programme, the participants Registration Fee will be non-refundable. CS22 will do its best to find a suitable alternative in any such event.

10. General
The participant hereby grants a royalty free, non-exclusive license in favour of CS22 in respect of all images captured or of any correspondence received by CS22 from them during or after the placement (in whatever format). Such license shall be granted in perpetuity and shall confer the right on CS22 to reproduce all or any of such images or correspondence in whole or in part for use in any advertisement or promotional material of CS22 as it see fit.

CS22 recognise that participants privacy is of vital importance. CS22 endeavour to protect all user’s information through compliance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Electronic Communications Regulations 2003. The participant agrees to allow CS22 to transfer any personal data held by CS22 about them to the placement host or homestay family.

CS22 will access the participants personal data fairly and lawfully in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 for the sole purpose of continuing to provide the services to the participant as well as the EU 2016 GDPR regulations. Please see our privacy policy.

CS22 shall be permitted to assign fully its rights and obligations in respect of its agreement with the participant and to subcontract any of its obligations. The participant shall not assign any of their rights or obligations under this agreement without the prior written consent of CS22.

Any advice or recommendation given by CS22 or its employees or agents to the participant that is not confirmed in writing by CS22 is followed or acted upon entirely at the participant’s own risk. CS22 is not therefore liable for any such advice or recommendation, which is not so confirmed in writing. These conditions shall not confer any benefit or right of action on any third party and the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 and any subsequent or supplementary or modifying legislation are hereby excluded to the fullest extent possible by law.

Neither party shall be liable to the other for any delay or non-performance of its obligations in respect of its agreement arising from any cause beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, any industrial dispute, act of God, governmental act, war, fire, flood, explosion, or civil commotion. The affected party so delaying shall promptly notify the other party in writing of the cause and the likely duration of the cause.

If any provision of these conditions is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of all other provisions of these conditions and the remainder of the provisions in question shall not be affected and shall remain in force. The laws of England and Wales shall govern these Terms and Conditions, and any dispute arising shall be determined by the Courts within that jurisdiction.