Page 39 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

AT – Oman Multi Activity AT – Sgt Evans
Our AT team was formed up from across the whole Bde with members of HCR, RTR, Signals and RLC units.
Once the Bde were deployed onto the exercise we relocated ourselves to Saiq transit camp high up in the Jebel Al Akhadar Mountains where we began conducting Recce’s with some local military guides
to find routes for both of the Hill Walking activities that we would be using during the exercise, for each 3 day AT package.
Day 1. The Wadi Walk consisted of a 10-mile trek through some of the most scenic mountain views
on the Jebel. The walk
very steep descents, however these were broken up at regular intervals with some very interesting dits from Sgt Macalpine- Gasse about the geology of the surrounding mountain side. Once at the head of the Wadi the terrain levelled out and turned into more of a boulder field which became much more fun for the walkers as they began jumping from rock to rock. The temperature would increase from around 23 degrees
in camp at the start, up to 38 degrees when we reached the bottom of the Wadi, needless to say that water and sunscreen
MLTs: Sgt Evans,
Sgt Macalpine-Gasse &
Cpl Sherpa
RCI: Sgt Macalpine-Gasse
started from camp and continued all the way down to the foot of the mountains,
a total descent of around 2,600ft each time. The initial route down included some
The temperature would increase from around 23 degrees in camp at the start, up to 38 degrees...
were the main things that were carried and consumed throughout the day.
Day 2. The Climbing consisted of six climbing routes, varying in difficulty and two abseiling routes that the climbers would
Sgt Macalpine-Gasse / Checking his ropework prior to beginning the days climbing / Jebel al Akhadar, Oman / Sep 18
Local tour guide assisting with the route during the initial recce / Jebel al Akhadar, Oman / Sep 18
finish with at the end of each day as a final challenge. This activity also began in camp with the issue of kit and equipment in the morning before everybody left on foot to the cliff face.
Day 3. The Cultural Walk also left from the camp and worked its way through three of the local villages and consisted of approximately 5 miles. There were sights to see and interesting features to point out along the way, including areas that were used during the fighting in the 5-year war (1954-59), such as the crash site of
a British Fighter which was shot down by the Rebels. We also showed the terrace system that had been carved into the
Members of Mortar Pl take a rest to admire the view on the Cultural Walk / Jebel al Akhadar, Oman / Sep 18
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