Page 20 - 2020 AMA Summer

EXPEDITIONNEWS
EX 900
6MI BN RETRACE A WW2 ESCAPE
ROUTE OVER THE PYRENEES
By Ed Brooker-McGee and David McGee
Soaked wet through the team sat leaning against their packs on the steep rocky ground with the cloud
swirling around them. The cloud was low with the group having been in it for several hours as they slowly climbed up towards a col. Despite the strong winds and heavy rain, it was eerily calm as there was a pause while a navigation check was being made. Even at the limits of their stretch zone, maintaining a calm approach with the Summer Mountaineering Foundation syllabus helped keep the mind focused. The ML looked around checking for dangers – steep off the track, wet and rocky, with plenty of slip hazards – but safe. After all, testing ones stretch zone is a key part of Adventurous Training. “Keep focused on your footing” the ML shouted as they stepped off. Any form of bone or muscle injury at this time would be a true test of the teams’ character. The group was quiet now as they concentrated on their footing, ignoring the aches from the previous two-days of trekking and wild camping through the Pyrenees. They continued up and soon through the cloud the Col de Craberous came into view. A
steep cliff to the left and high ground
forming a ridge line to the right gave protection from the elements. However, you could see the cloud rushing through the pass just above and the hear howls that went with it. As they stepped up onto the Col, the wind and rain hit hard. Finding their balance, they could see the steep descent coming in and out of view through the cloud. The track zig-zagged down giving a safe path so the confidence rope was staying the bag for now. After a few fist bumps and hand shakes a voice came from a face cocooned in a hood “err its rather windy can we save the handshakes for later and get down now please.”
Later that evening we managed to find an empty shepherds hut. Squeezed around the small table with the fire lit, a Detective Inspector, Civil Engineer, an IT Service Delivery Manager, a PHD Psychology student, a political lobbyist and a Financial Investigator sat huddled keeping themselves warm. Taking in the moment, reflecting on the day’s challenges and achievements, they smiled and joked. Two things brought that team to that location at that time: their individual drive for seeking adventure and being members
of the UK Army Reserves; 6 Military Intelli- gence Battalion.
In the summer of 2018, the CO of 6MI Bn handed over a book titled: “Escaping Hitler” to a naïve One-Pip wonder. He suggested it would be a good idea to incorporate a Battlefield Study and Adventure Training Expedition looking at the Escape Lines in the Pyrenees. A holiday with his pregnant wife gave time for reading and soon the 2Lt was dreaming of parachuting into Northern Europe, running for trains, hiding in Café’s waiting for agent meets (throw in a HUMINT exercise for jokes) and being chased by the French police (acting as the Gestapo) through the towns of France as they would re-enact the Escape Lines through France and Spain... Twelve months later, with the reality of time, the JSATFA process and risk assessments (as well as the French sense of humour – probably best not to suggest role-play!), the plan changed to a more realistic concept. A Study period at Chicksands followed by a five-day expedition in the Pyrenees following the Chemin de la Liberte. The aim was simple – give them knowledge, push them hard out of their comfort zones and then reward.
Group with Corp Flag
20 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER