Page 5 - 2020 AMA Winter

BPRESIDENT’S FOREWORD
arrelling down the last stretch of the larger groups but only when authorised to me) or a seasoned and skilful pro; there is Autoroute Blanche in early August do so. Whilst I have no doubt the rules will absolutely a place for us all.
this year, the French Alps loomed have changed for some by the time you
invitingly in the near distance. The trip was a typical summer break for the Southall household; an estate car stuffed full with the standard paraphernalia for a family holiday; two teenage boys, dog, outdoor gear (and of course Jo, my far better other half!) heading for a few weeks in the great outdoors. Then...on the first sunny morning in Chamonix we woke to the rather depressing news that from the following Saturday, we would, along with all other Brits, have to quarantine for two weeks in UK unless we returned immediately from France.
It is clear to all that Covid-19 continues to dominate our lives. The arena is a dynamic one with government rules and restrictions constantly evolving; it can also feel a little confusing as to what we can and cannot do, particularly when the mountains offer such obvious escape potential.
As I pen this foreword, I note groups of up to six people from different households can still meet and exercise outside as long as they remain at least two metres apart. However, regional restrictions apply in some areas to limit this. We can also still take part in some organised activity in
receive the Journal, I would encourage all to keep tabs on the British Mountain- eering Council’s online guidance – lots of common sense and sound advice on offer.
Ever the optimist, I also reflect on the sil- ver-lining of this dreadful crisis. Urban lockdown is encouraging us all to spend more time in the great outdoors. Whilst we should be a little careful to avoid the most popular tourist haunts and hot-spots in the Peaks and Lake District, we are seeing much more interest in hill walking, climbing and mountaineering pursuits both within the Army and across society. This is a small positive in a most challenging time for us all.
I am truly delighted to offer my support to all in the Army Mountaineering Association and in less constrained times, I very much look forward to catching up with many of you. Our Association has strong foundations and, whilst in-year activity may have been hampered, I know we will all bounce back in the months and years ahead. Spending time in the mountains still feeds the soul and it doesn’t matter if you are enthusiastically inexpert (like
And just in case you were wondering.... I chose not to join the frantic throngs of Brits racing back to the Channel in August but (ever the optimist) I paid the price of a lockdown fortnight following (a slightly shortened) 10 days in the mountains around Chamonix. Bliss!
Stay safe and my very best wishes to you all.
Maj Gen David Southall CBE
MEMBERSHIP
SECRETARY
FOREWORD
After the delivery of each journal edition I receive phone calls and emails from members who have not received their copy. This is usually due to members’ details not being correct or up to date in our database. Unfor- tunately a member calling the office or emailing me is the only way I am able to update such information and so I rely on you letting me know. If I am informed I can make any changes necessary to the details we hold such as your home address and e-mail etc; all you need to do is drop me an e-mail to the address below. Alterna- tively you can log in to your Tahdah account and make the relevant changes yourself, if you require any assistance with your Tahdah account just let me know.
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If you have any questions, concerns or anything at all please contact me on 01248 718364 or Mil 95581 7964 or by e-mail to secretary@army- mountaineer.org.uk.
Emma Pritchard
SEDITOR’S FOREWORD
o we’ve made it through one lockdown, but at the time of writing this we’re on the verge of another. Hopefully you managed to get outside and made the most of the time we’ve had before we could be back inside again?
Normal service resumes this edition with our usual suspects re-appearing. We’ve got three guest articles for you. One from James Forrest, named by the Sunday Telegraph as the Mountain Man, regaling his time completing all 214 Wainwrights in a single 14 days + 11 hour push; Dr Keri Wallace tells us about her exploits completing new link ups in Scotland and we hear from the Lattice Climbing team about training for climbing while on Ops. We’ve also got some great articles from names you probably know a little more, including Al Mason, Glenn Bloomer and Duncan Francis.
Thanks to all those who have provided content for this edition. Your efforts do help and are really appreciated. If you feel like you’d like to write something for the journal, even if you don’t know what to write, drop me an email at journal@armymountaineer.org.uk and let’s chat.
Al Topping
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 5