Page 28 - 2019 AMA Winter

EXPEDITIONNEWS
Team PhotoGenic...(Not)
The Noobs
along the border and sleep in Bavaria, get up in the morning and move back to Austria to get the transport to go back to Bavaria. On the bus off the bus! The group loved the route, beautiful views and weather, awesome pictures and poses (Shane).
We left the hut about 0830 and set off on our way back to the transport that had been strategically placed so we didn’t have to walk back to the cable car but rather finish in the next valley. The group on the way down managed to visit an impressive waterfall for photos and stop for a cold drink in one of the valley huts that processed their own cattle for milk, cheese and yogurt, the milk is amazing... it’s a must.
DAY 7:
This would be the final day on the wire, this would be perfect to push grades and challenge those who took a step back, this would be the Kanzele-Klettersteig, a short but amazing feratta at the conglomerate rocks of Kanzelefelsen. It’s got 4 routes to choose from, they are all interconnected and fantastic, you have the option to incre- mentally build your students here. I would use this as a day one option in the future, however as there is options for A through to E it’s a great one to stretch those who haven’t experienced many D/E previously. It’sabeautifulareanexttoacastleandin the lower valley a stunning lake, the nearest town is that of Bregenz, swing by for an ice-cream or a swim in the lake.
Day 7: The return journey...I won’t bore you with the detail, it’s was a long drive, ensure the drivers rest the evening prior and have plenty of stops during.
In summary, the expedition was fantastic and it achieved more than we anticipated, the participants excelled and achieved more than they expected... a couple had a fear of heights and by the end of the week were leading on grades that petrified them at the beginning. It is a privilege to take someone like that and see their progression and building of
‘The young officers showed incredible courage and leadership and played a huge part in the success of the expedition whether they knew it or not’
confidence and how much they invested in their instructors and trusted their teams. I can say honestly that all the aims of AT were met and so much more. The young officers showed incredible courage and leadership and played a huge part in the success of the expedition whether they knew it or not.
Special thanks must go to Lt Col Johnny Lighten who planned, organised and executed the expedition with the help of his HQNW staff, WO1 Twigg, CSgt Cockram, Kgn Clifford.
It is a must to mention for those who have never organised an expedition or has little understanding of the many working parts. I have planned and delivered eight overseas expeditions, it’s not a simple process, the funding bids, management and spending of monies, the kit bids, collection and distribution from loan pool at Bicester, the JSAFTA and associated documents, itinerary, risk assessments, authorisation notes, transport, flights, accommodation bookings, feeding plans, receipts, medical plans, admin/ exercise instructions, insurance and that’s just some of the hurdles in place before you get there. Then of course delivering the activity, ensuring people eat, have the correct equipment, driving temperamen- tal vehicles, catering for requests and the possibility of delivering a foundation course, dealing with injuries and so on...
Just remember all those things that have to be done many months in advance to enable an opportunity for you to attend a type 3 (Overseas) AT expedition. Someone or a couple of people will have given their own personal time to conduct this activity outside of work and then the most amusing of all is when your there and plan a BBQ on an evening, just as you’re flipping burgers...the vegetarians and vegans all of a sudden pipe up” what you got for me”.... and on that note I shall finish!
The big-un!
28 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER