Page 52 - The KRH Year of 2023 (CREST Sharing)

52 The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars
Ex SCORPION AVVENTURA
After successfully defeating the Donovians in the Battle of Bowls Barrow, it seemed only fitting that we adventured to the Italian Dolomites for some much-needed R&R. The expe- dition, primarily composed of Recce Troop but bolstered by A Sqn, ran over 10 days combining hill walking and Via Ferrata across some stunning scenery.
The long drive through the length of France seemed never end- ing, however as we moved from the questionable suburbs of Lyon to a lovely lunch spot on the edge of Lake Garda, spir- its were high. Despite the dusk when we arrived, the beauty of the Dolomites was obvious. From the glacial lake outside our accommodation to the enormous, yellow-tinted mountains towered over us. Sufficiently carb-loaded on Italian Pizza, we were ready to conquer the lofty heights.
Split down into three groups, we rotated through activities in multiple locations around the Sella Ronda. As a group we
climbed some impressive summits with epic elevation. The views were spectacular and well worth tackling the stomach- churning sheer drop faces of the rocky outcrops.
The main highlight of the week for most was scaling Livinallongo del Col di Lana using a network of Via Ferrata cables originally set up in the First World War. Immersing ourselves in the path of the Italian mountain troops, we were able to visualise the scale of the Austro-Italian front and see the infrastructure built at the top of these huge, isolated peaks. The knowledge we collectively learnt on the history of the area was something to reflect on in the evenings as we sampled the regional cuisine and befriended the locals. By the end of the week, Ex IRON CYCLONE seemed like a distant memory, and we were all filled with a quiet satisfaction in what we had achieved.
SW
A leg-wobble inducing sheer drop to walk over!
LCpls Bell, Whyte and Kay and Cpl Cebula scaling the north face of Livinallongo del Col di Lana
The top of Livinallongo del Col di Lana
View from the top
A quick stop to admire the view