Page 12 - LBV 2024

EX MOUNT KENYA – backgammon,
fly fishing, and portering whiskey to 4000m. Could it be a Guards expedition up Mount Kenya?
Through the OTC I’ve undertaken Mountain Leader Training and
gained the Summer Mountain Leader qualification. In November I was able to use this qualification to fly to Kenya and assist Ex Kirinyaga Mick, an Irish Guards’ expedition to climb Mt Kenya.
Over six days we traversed Africa’s second highest peak via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes. On summit day
a low snowline placed Point Lenana (4,985m) out of remit so we repositioned our sights on Simba Col (4,620m). Although frustrating this gave me, as one of the mountain leaders, an excellent opportunity to practice risk management and exercise moral courage to make
this decision in the face of a keen group – an example of why the Army holds adventurous training in such high regard as a developmental tool.
Regardless of this setback we gained the col, a new high point for most of
the team, and were able to access to
the North side of the mountain and the fastest descent routes. One more night at Shipton’s Camp and we were down. Off duty a few days later I got in touch with the expedition’s guide and returned to the mountain to make my own ascent of Pt Lenana. Irish Guards nil - Cambridge OTC one!
Besides being an awesome chance to use my qualification in an exciting new setting, it was a great look at life with an overseas-deployed infantry unit. As an infantry-interested Sandhurst bursar I can’t think of many better opportunities to gain honest insights than chatting away with guardsmen whilst trekking
or over long cards evenings with junior officers fresh from eight weeks training alongside the Kenyan Army.
Overall this was a fantastic experience - lots of lessons learned, insights gained, and a new high point attained. I’m grateful to the OTC for their support and the Irish Guards for hosting me – asante sana!
If you too are interested in getting your teeth into adventurous training
and expeditions like this feel free to get in touch with me (07933 660147) or the unit’s Adventurous Training Officer (Major Bevin).
JUO J McDermott
12 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER