Page 101 - WishStream Year of 2023

A10hr drive up to Fort William marked the start to our AT expedition. Five of us (six in spirit) embarked on a weeks’ worth of hill walk- ing to cover an array of Munros, the North Face of Ben Nevis, and a handful of other peaks. Just before departing, the Met Office disappointed with a muggy and rainy weather forecast – unfortu- nately the excitement failed as a result. En route, we took a pit stop at Tebay services (arguably the UKs No.1 service station) for a late lunch, before going onwards to collect our instructor who agreed to run the SMF programme throughout the couple of days.
Monday marked the true start of our adventure at the Mamores. After being eaten alive by midges, and a few lost legs in bogs, we completed three peaks before setting up camp early due to cramp- ing. Supper consisted of spinach, ricotta and midge tortellini with red pesto cooked in our mess tins. Tuesday - we woke up on the mountainside. Tired, we were surrounded by a battalion of angry midges, and unable to see each other’s tents in the fog. After a few hours the weather cleared, and the view from the mountain made the suffering worth- while. Over the two days we bagged eight Munros.
On Wednesday, we arrived at the North Face car park to head up Ben Nevis the less conventional way. The route took us along the challenging Arête - a very narrow ridge line that offered stun- ning views on both sides. After a final competitive scramble to the summit, we posed for photos with the million and one others who had made it up the tourist path.
It was another early start on Thursday. We arrived at Coire na la Tulaich to be greeted by the iconic lonely white cottage at the base. We worked our way up the rocky riverbed to be greeted by the panoramic views of West Scotland looking onto the West Highland Way. It was a great final peak to end our trip with.
OCdt Blanshard
We departed Scotland on Friday morning for what turned into a 13hr journey back to RMAS. It was an enjoyable trip all round and everyone returned with improved navigation skills and experience on the mountains. It was great to see the exped come together whilst understanding the Army AT pro- cesses - something that can be reproduced when we commission into our regiments in December.
Exercise MUNRO CADET
SANDHURST 99