Page 33 - 2007/08 AMA Winter

Definitely not North Wales!
Nevada Peaks July Friday the 13, there was a 07was a High Risk and minus 8 hour time difference Remote 10 day expedi­ in Los Angeles, so it was an tion I organised to takeex7tremely long day. We phase 2 trainees and 2 othaerrived at the Sequoia training staff from Na2tional Park, California on Squadron, 11 Signthael following Saturday after­ Regiment to the Siernroaon after a marathon journey Nevada Mountains. The aimofs trains, planes and buses. of the expedition were foTurh­is was the home of the fold; to trek the 80 mile HGighiant Sequoia Tree’s and our Sierra Trail, summit the higcha­mp site for next few nights, est mountain in the lower c4a8lled Lodgepole.
Sierra Trail. We had a huge bergans on our back due to carrying 10 days food in our packs. Ouch. However the route on the first day was not difficult and spirits were high as we began trekking at last. The route began by contour­ ing along a huge valley wall with amazing views across the valley. This continued all the way to Bearpaw Meadow 11 miles away. This was our first night out in the wilder­ ness and the trainees were performing well.
Trekking Day 2
The next day was a shorter trek to Hamilton lakes. We made excellent time. This campsite was next to an enor­ mous towering rock face called Valhalla, which was overlooking a picturesque blue lake surrounded by mountains. After reaching the campsite so early, we decid­ ed to carry on trekking to the next campsite, Big Arroyo Junction. This was a much more demanding leg for the trainees but they soon reached the saddle of Keweah Gap 3,261m. a little out of breath I might add. We
By Sean Dinsdale
then dropped down the other side of the mountain into a forest on the valley floor to our campsite.
Trekking Day 3
We set off and immediately ascended the side of the val­ ley back up the same height of the Keweah Gap again, however the group felt much better. We descended into the next campsite which was Morain Lake. This was a beauty spot surrounded by forests with high mountain peaks in every direction. This was a nice place for a swim, washing gear and cooking hot curry's.
Trekking Day 4
We began trekking through the forests and meadows, fol­ lowing the trail, till we reached a huge valley. The trail descended into the valley and as we did we felt the heat get more and more intense. Even though the valley floor was at 2050m, it was still very hot. After a couple of kilometres of uncomfortable trekking we arrived at our next campsite called Kern Hot Springs. This
states of America, Mount
Whitney 4,418m, to qualify The following day was spent the trainees with Summer doing a short light trek into Mountaineering Proficiency the forest the see the largest and to give the trainees new
experiences in an alien envi­
ronment enhancing their self
reliance and endurance.
Training for the expedition
began in rainy Wales at the
Snowdonia National Park. great advantage point with This was essential as some of amazing views. It gave the the trainees had never been in group a chance to take a mountains let alone the sneaky peek at the terrain at wilderness. I and CpI the start of the trail as it twist­ Whitehead (the expedition ed into mountains and over
JSMEL) had our work cut out trying to teach the trainees all the essential knowledge to cope in the mountains.
the ridgeline into the wilder­ ness.
Trekking Day1
We set off for America and This was the start of the flew from Gatwick Airport on trekking phase of the High
tree in the world called the ‘General Sherman’. This was a truly enormous tree and it dwarfed all the other trees nearby. We spent the rest of the day trekking up to Moro Rock 2049m. This was a
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 31