Page 62 - LBV 2017

INTER-COMPANY TRAINING & VISITS
Ex DRAGON CAIRN BLUE GORM 2016
“OCdts wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.” - So rang the call for volunteers for the 2016 CUOTC Cairngorms expedition, echoing the famous (though probably fictional) rallying cry issued by Shackleton just over 100 years before. Needless to say, the similarities with the Imperial Trans-Arctic Expedition do not end there, both ventures producing inspirational tales of superhuman endurance, strength
and courage in the face of adversity. Some might even argue that the only real differences between these two twin adventures are time and title* (the ‘Imperial Trans-Cairngorm Expedition’ name only discarded after much deliberation in favour of Ex Dragon Cairn Blue Gorm in order to minimise confusion and provide absolute clarity of funding
routes). Thankfully, the arduous nature of the events to come was well anticipated in the extensive planning phase and a team of
9 of CUOTC’s finest was drawn from all companies to take on the challenge.
The team assembled in anticipation at Coldham’s Lane ARC in the evening of Friday the 16th of September. Here a thorough kit check was carried out by JUO Fryers (Deputy Expedition Leader), displaying his usual diligence to ensure that proper preparation prevents
Adventure Croquet
On the sumit of Ben Macdui
particularly pitiful performance. Satisfied that no one would be left without waterproof trousers in severe conditions, we departed early on Saturday for the wilds of Cairngorm national park. On arrival in Ballater, the hearts & minds game began immediately - the team engaging in thorough discussions with a local family on the relative
health benefits of oatcakes versus chocolate. Suitably provisioned with low-GI foods and having done our bit for IndyRef2, we set off for the short walk to the first wild camp location on the banks of the river Dee. A key reason for choosing the Cairngorms was the
ability to wild camp (for reference, responsible camping is permitted in most unenclosed land in Scotland under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003) – Most of the group had little to no wild camping experience and the stunning, remote settings for each night’s accommodation proved
Suitably provisioned with low-GI foods and having done our bit for IndyRef2...
60 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER