Page 23 - 2020 AMA Summer

Team Harry in the woods
“Next morning, we set off through the Bois de Rams. In the UK it would be difficult to imagine a more isolated place. We arrived before dusk at the Maison du Valier, a restaurant and campsite in the Foret Domaniale de Bordes Sur Lez.
“After a dinner of rations a telegram from London informed the group that the local partisans had arranged for a hot meal at the lodgings at the foot of Mount Valier. The lofty Mount Valier, at 2838m would be the group’s final destination. Moving upwards the Etag Rond, a perfectly formed glacial tarn came into view. As we strolled into the grounds of Refuge des Estagnous we spotted our sister groups. Handshakes all round, the views and the stunning scenery raising every one’s spirts.
After a team photograph, Padre Newman hushed the group to dedicate a few words to the memories of those men who passed this way in their search for freedom.
Groups Harry and George at a crossing in the valley.
“In one of the most striking moments of the trek, as the padre spoke the Binyon’s famous poem, ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them’ the sun, in a act of breath-taking serendipity descended behind the Piz Renoué to our west. The group, joined by onlooks, remained quiet and pondered those brave men and women walking beyond this place to Spain and their freedom.
“Later a welcome meal of French onion soup, lamb pasta stew and wine filled bellies before a rewarding night sleep in the Refuge. The following day groups Harry and George climbed Mt Valier as Tom and Dick had summited the day before. The mountain was shrouded in fog, but nevertheless the teams started through the moraine of broken mountain to a clear summit with breath taking views. Tom and Dick made their descent along the route that Harry and George had taken the previous day.
“By 1800 all the groups had returned to the Hotel Eychenne in St Giron. With the admin finalised it was out for an end of expedition dinner in a fantastic French restaurant where wine, banter, shanter and good food was enjoyed by all.
“The next day we returned to our various regional outposts of 6MI Bn. The peerless organisation of the weeklong training was completed by Lt Brooker-McGee. The selfless endeavours of the support team with a positive can-do attitude deserve a major recognition.”
“The selfless endeavours of the support team with a positive can-do attitude deserve a major recognition.”
A Final Thought By Ed B-M:
With the trek being the highlight, the whole process of planning and organising of such an expedition, although daunting at first, should never be frowned upon. It gave an awesome opportunity for learning and development for those involved. To step out into the mountains an additional 1x SML, 4x SMLTS and 8x Team medics were trained up. Also, an additional 8 personnel were able to gain the Team Medics qualification and 15 gained the Summer Mountain Foundation qualifi- cation. Multiple AT courses attended, and a selection weekend put on in North Wales. The result: people of all ranks and backgrounds were given opportunities, pushed to their limits, gain AT qualifica- tions and be rightly rewarded.
It cannot go without highlighting the support from the permanent staff of 6MI Bn both Regular, Reserve, FTRS and civilian. Namely, Maj Stephens (RAO), Captain Hawkins (RCMO), Capt Parry (61 PASO) and Sally Bond (Civilian Admin Officer). Without their continued support and guidance – despite minimal reward – it would have been a non-starter!
Feast for all – last night of the Ex reward for all
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 23