Page 18 - 2019 AMA Winter

EXPEDITIONNEWS
EX DRAGON MONGOLIAN ODYSSEY
By Jodi Longyear
Genghis (or Chinggis) Khan was a strong leader, powerful diplomat and seasoned traveller according to most Mongolians, who revere him
In the west and the Islamic world the view tends to focus on some of his more negative attributes. Focussing on the
positives you soon realise that Genghis Khan had many of the skills required of a British soldier. He was a great judge of character and leader of men, he was adventurous and brave and he also pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
Exercise DRAGON MONGOLIAN ODYSSEY was an opportunity for soldiers from 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) to visit Mongolia and challenge themselves. The key objectives of the exercise were to complete the Alpine Mountaineering Foundation course, to climb some of the highest peaks in Mongolia and to develop leadership and diplomatic skills while dealing with each other and local people
The Altai mountain range in Mongolia is very remote and the first challenge was to get there. Flights to Beijing, Ulaanbaatar and finally Ölgii got the 11 person team close. Next was a 200km journey in 4x4 minibuses on dirt tracks which proved to be an early test of endurance and nerves. The final part of the journey was a short trek into Base Camp 1 with the
aid of camels to carry our kit.
Base Camp 1 gave everyone the opportunity to acclimatise, learn or revise alpine skills and get into the routine of camp. Our group were the only ones based here and the only visitors were
occasional herders. Hawks guarded our tents against adventurous rodents
18 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER