Page 28 - 2005 AMA Winter

Ex Tasmanian Dragnn 7
By Mark Hedge
xercise TASMANIAN DRAGON is to be the most technically competent AMA rock trip to date. A bold statement that!! How can a statement like that be justified?
Applicants were invited to attend a selection weekend armed with climbing CV’s, a wish to improve and push their grades. The first weekend presented a variety of cap badges and ability levels. Some personnel were already established in the mid extreme grades and some with the potential to benefit greatly from an expe­ dition of this nature. At present all selected thus far have led a minimum of E2. Over the course of many weekends with more to follow Taz Dragon' personnel have been bagging extreme welsh rock routes with the aim of reproducing their hardest lead grade on Tasmanian rock.
A strict training regime was mapped out early in the training programme; a 12-
week cycle was designed for all to reach peak perfor­ mance on touching down in Hobart. The programme consists of fatburning, aerobic, bouldering, strength, power training utilising campus boards and wall facil­ ities. Folk interested in the same personal programme should attend the Army boul­ dering championship weekend 28/29 Jan 05.
It is hoped that a documen­ tary of the trip will raise the profile of Army climbers and show the public that we are not light years behind our civilian counterparts. Filming is taking the form of a ‘fly on the wall documentary’ and is being directed and produced by Mark Reeves of 'Between The Rain' and ‘Duty Paid' notoriety. Since the expedi­ tion gained clearance ascents (many filmed) include:
The Sun E3, Rhoscolyn; Electric Blue E4, Rhoscolyn; Savage Sunbird E2,