Page 96 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

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The 2018 Rocky Mountain
‘Leadership and Challenge’ Course
Cadet Corporal Charlie Mackintosh – King’s School, Worcester CCF
Every year, 12 Army cadets from the ACF and CCF are selected to represent the UK on the six-week ‘Leadership and Challenge’ course, held every summer at the Royal Canadian Army Cadet (RCAC) Rocky Mountain Cadet Training Centre – a ninety- minute drive from Calgary. For the 200 Canadian participants, this course is ‘the tip of the sword’ in the cadet career. There are six cycles on the course:
glacier;
canoeing or kayaking;
rock climbing;
mountain biking;
horse riding;
Alpine trek;
This year I was one of the lucky 12
cadets to pass the national selection weekend and represent the UK, the Mercian Regiment, and King’s School Worcester CCF on the course. It certainly lived up to my expectations.
I got the opportunity to test myself and my leadership capabilities in new ways and have fun and incredible experiences in the Rocky Mountains while doing so. These cycles were led by professional civilian instructors, many of whom are famous in their own
fields for kayaking notoriously difficult rapids, or summiting Everest. Working with these guides in groups as small as three was a unique learning experience. Most
of this training took
place in the Canadian
Rocky national parks,
especially Banff, Yoho
and Jasper, so the
scenery was stunning.
RSM on final parade
a five pitch, 250m, four-hour climb. In the fourth week I had glacier cycle, in which the five fittest in my platoon were selected to climb the Des Poilus glacier. On summit day we awoke at 0200 to begin climbing with ice axes, crampons and head torches before the ice became too soft. This was the most physically demanding thing I had ever done, but despite the 11-hour ascent, it was worth it for the incredible feeling of accomplishment I felt when I reached the top!
In my penultimate week I had bike cycle which was nearly as physically challenging, although in a different way. It finished with
The glacier
variety of cultural and ceremonial activities including a visit to the Calgary Stampede and a parade to exercise the Freedom of Banff. The British party also got to visit the BATUS AT Centre for an open day. In camp we had various inter platoon competitions. During the course, cadets were rewarded for their performance on the various cycles and I was awarded ‘Best Cadet on the Alpine Trek Cycle’ for my platoon. The inspecting officer for the final battalion parade was the Vice Chief of the Canadian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Wynnyk, and I was lucky enough to be appointed as the Cadet RSM for the parade.
I had an amazing experience and did things that very few 16-year olds have
the opportunity to undertake. I also made friends for life from all over Canada and the UK. My course was one of four annual exchanges with the RCAC, each of six weeks. To any cadets reading this, my advice would be to put your name forward for a chance of selection. The Rocky Mountain course is estimated to cost over £35 000 per UK cadet to run but is free for participants. What more of an incentive could you want?!
My platoon started
with the Alpine Trek
cycle, during which my
group completed the
Banff Highline Trail; camping out for three nights and qualifying as my D of E Gold practice expedition. Next was horse riding and a wilderness 1st Aid course. Rock climbing followed with the final day spent on
alongside climbing,
learnt the basics of rolling and paddled a number of grade 3 rapids.
At change over weekends, all the cadets had the opportunity to take part in a
It finished with a three-hour assent followed by a very fast 30-minute descent!
a three-hour ascent followed by a very fast 30-minute descent!
The uphill journey by mountain bike was very tough, but worth it for the exhilarating downhill. The final week was the water cycle and I chose to kayak. This was,
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
my favourite activity. I
Best in trek cycle award
Summit day
Climbing