Page 73 - RADC Bulletin 2019

LCpl D S White RADC
After managing to get away to the Pyrenees on a trek with Attack Helicopter Force previously, when I heard there was a trek coming up for the GR20 I jumped at the chance. I already had the kit so I just needed to try and get my little legs in shape, although it is pretty tricky trying to train for ascents of 1000+ metres in Suffolk.
We didn’t get off to the greatest start with a transport drama, making our flight touch and go, thankfully we had allowed just enough time for fudge factor. Once we arrived at the hotel we received a brief from Cpl Howie on what to expect for the next few days and then we were left to admin ourselves and prepare our kit.
After initially being threatened with a 0400 hrs start to avoid the heat it was pushed back to 0740 so we could load up on a good French breakfast which we would certainly need, as we had 17+ miles to cover with 1,320m to gain and a descent of 955m. It was hard work and the heat made it even harder, but the incredible views took my mind off how unfit I was feeling and
eventually we made it to our refuge.
On day 2 we set off for a much shorter
distance but the same sort of height
gain and loss as the previous, luckily we were well rested and fed. The initial climb was relentless and stopping for lunch on the top of a peak was a welcome relief, unfortunately the heat began to take its toll in the afternoon and we split the group to give them time to cool down. Eventually we arrived at the refuge, which was basically
a building site on a cliff edge with tents scattered about, and toilet and shower facilities in the loosest terms...
We all survived the night and were raring to go for day 3. The main aim was to get through the next 9 miles to the refuge, which had road access to drop off one of the team. The ascent was 340m so a gift in comparison to the previous few days, although the heat was still giving us all a hard time, and when we eventually arrived at the refuge a huge thunder and lightening storm ensued.
We were sadly down a team member the
following day but moral was still high, we were on our second to last day with only
12 miles to cover, although it was over an 880m ascent and 1240m descent. I knew I wouldn’t be returning to the UK with all the toe nails I came out with! Navigation wasn’t on point today and we took some strange turns through bushes and threw in a few scrambles for good measure but after an hour or so we found ourselves back on the trail. After a hard slog the refuge was finally insight, unfortunately it was up a vertical cliff edge, it was hard graft but we slogged on and rewarded ourselves with ice-creams. The final day. We set off early as we needed to get to our RV in time for our transport. 3 miles in and Maj Edwards tried to sabotage this by tripping over his own feet and playing injured. He walked it off well for the next 8 miles and still managed to be faster than me, it was truly shameful. We arrived at the RV just about in one piece with enough time to spare for a round of drinks, cheers!
RADC BULLETIN 2019 71