Page 32 - AMA Summer 2023

EXPEDITIONNEWS
of the team that stepped outside of their comfort zone to conduct this activity; for all it was a thrilling exercise, with a few swimmers in the water for the team to reflect and laugh about when reviewing the video footage.
Following the white-water trip, the team took time to trek around the Mariposa Grove 10km trail, taking in the 3000- year-old Sequoia Trees; the largest living organisms on the planet boasting towering, girthy trunks that are fantasy-like. The grove hosts the infamous Tunnel Tree and Grizzly Giant Sequoias that were first measured and counted by Galen Clark in 1857. Known as the first guardian of the park, Mr Clark wrote about these trees and the surrounding grove which eventually influenced US Congress and President Abraham Lincoln to grant Yosemite as a protected park, signing the Yosemite Land Grant in 1864. This movement led to the collaborative efforts of the conservation group and John Muir to achieve National Park status by 1890.
On completion of the activities, the team returned via San Francisco, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge (some by impromptu half marathon), and undertaking an audio tour of Alcatraz prior to returning home to the UK.
Internally, a huge thanks and particular praise goes to SSgt Matthew Campbell, the lead coordinator and MLT for the expedition, and our experienced SML,
Yosemite Falls
Capt Jim McGrory, the expedition leader. An event extremely well planned and delivered, both were supported by 2x support staff who provided all the real-life support from driving to facilitation: WO2s Gordon Heaney and Mark Howells, a job extremely well done, for which the team are incredibly grateful.
Externally, the trip would not have been possible without the generous support and contributions of several organisa- tions affiliated to 32 Signal Regiment. These organisations are: The Army Sports Lottery; The Army Mountaineer- ing Association; The Highlands RFCA; Northern Ireland RFCA; HQ Royal Signals; the Berlin Infantry Brigade Memorial Trust; and the Ulysses Trust – Thank you.
Zephyr Whitewater
32 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER