Page 114 - WishStream Year of 2023

Exercise STUCK CADET
OCdt Davies
The purpose of Army Adventurous Training in the context of Officer Training is to develop leaders, through the building of resilience, by placing the individual in challenging environments. I can state with absolute certainty that this expe- dition put me well out of my comfort zone, most certainly building resilience, but also causing some questioning of my life choice, which had somehow led me to the bottom of a waterfall 100M down a cave in the Yorkshire Dales. However, despite my initial prejudice, I quickly felt a sense of privilege at the opportunity to see and explore
realisation of what we were about to do, but the typical Yorkshire weather. On a par with Brecon, the rain was persistent and unforgiving. Normally, this wouldn’t bother a group of enthusiastic soon- to-be Officers, but it turns out cave systems flood.... this did not help my already stretched nerves! Yet, this did not deter the legendary Mick, who quickly presented a list of alternative caves which served as sound alternatives. It was this can-do attitude which became synonymous with our activities throughout the expedition, whether it was tackling
a world which, for the majority, remains hidden beneath our boots.
It turns out cave systems flood... this did not
help my already stretched nerves!
the infamous ‘Cheese Press,’ or abseil- ing down waterfalls; all wore smiles throughout, albeit in an occasionally strained manner.
Ex STUCK CADET was an unexpect- edly rare experience, serving as a pinnacle to an already packed term. I speak for the team when I say it was
The expedition deployed at the end
of a busy term, rendezvousing at a
townhouse in the centre of Skipton.
Here, we met our instructor, Mick,
a charming Aussie who had made
Yorkshire his home. It was Mick’s expertise as a professional caver, which served as an indicator of the quality and quantity of cave systems in the local area, and we wasted no time in prepping kit and planning for the week ahead.
an unforgettable adventure, and one I would read- ily repeat. The quality of instruction was matched only by the beauty of the underground world we explored, and, for this, Mick is to be congratu- lated. I would urge future OCdts to consider cav- ing as a viable activity, for it will most certainly test resilience, and provide all with a sense of great achievement.
However, it soon became apparent that the big- gest challenge wasn’t my rising concern at the
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