Page 21 - 2023 AMA Spring

JUO CHARLIE KEARNEY WRITES...
Before going on Exercise Delago Tiger my climbing experience could best be described as basic, with small indoor walls and the occasional outdoor climb on Dartmoor being the most I’d done. After this incredible trip, it’s safe to say, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to get back on rock.
When I first heard about the expedition, I signed up straight away. Then thinking about what I’d just committed myself to, I became a little apprehensive given that I had a small fear of heights which come the end, was well and truly conquered. On day one I was paired with my instructor and climbing partner for the next two weeks. We started by refreshing our memories of the basics on an outdoor sport climbing wall; tying in and climbing techniques. Throughout the two weeks we progressed much faster than I had anticipated and before I knew it, we were halfway up the multi-pitch route Torre Quarta Alta in Cinque Torri.
After, moving campsites, refining our technique on the indoor wall, and
working on some sport lead climbing, we found ourselves setting off on a two-day expedition to the world famous Vajolet Towers. A chunky multi-pitch and a pretty steep walk later we were resting in Rifugio Re Alberto ready to hit the towers the next day. This was the highlight of the trip as the views were stunning and the climb was challenging enough that I could use the new skills I had gained over the past weeks.
The Officer Cadets in the trekking group spent a magical two weeks covering the Summer Mountain Foundation course on summits around Canazei and Cortina. As a group with limited mountaineer- ing experience, we all leapt at the chance to navigate difficult terrain,
route plan and push ourselves to our physical limits. From trekking 20km to spending the night in mountain refuge huts, to summiting Tofana di Rozes (3225m), no day was the same.
The wildness of the Dolomites was perfect for developing the more technical parts of the summer moun- taineering like pacing and back bearings. However, the highlight of the trip was the freedom to suc- cessfully organise our own three-day expedition around the Marmolada Massif. We faced obstacles like trying to book Refugio’s in broken Italian, water management in the burning Italian sun and some impressive blisters. This experience, we all agreed, was the highlight of the trip and that the satisfaction of completing routes that we had designed as a group was well worth the effort.
“I think that I can speak for
all on this trip in passing
our thanks to the amazing instructors, staff and chefs for making it some of the best two weeks of our lives. Two weeks we’d definitely all do again in a heartbeat.”
JUO Charlie Kearney
OCDT DAISY DANIEL WRITES...
“From scaling scree-ridden summits to dodging over- curious ibex, the seven Officer Cadets of the trekking group had a truly once in a lifetime experience. We cannot thank the AMA enough for the generous grant enabling us to explore such a wild landscape and begin our mountaineering journey.”
OCdt Daisy Daniel
OCDT TILLY DOLLAR
WRITES...
We completed 11 different via ferrata routes over the 8 days and spent one day at the climbing wall practising our technique as the weather was too poor to venture out. One of my highlights of the trip was the two-day expedition. We set off early from our second campsite which was based in the beautiful town of Canazei. The sign at the start of the route was ominous and when I read that it was ‘only for experts’, I took a gulp. Nervously, I asked my instructor if he really felt that we could do this after only 6 days of via ferrata. He turned to us all and with real belief in his voice, reassured us that we could. This gave everyone the encouragement that we needed for the challenge ahead. We faced a difficult 6 hour climb to the top, but “WOW!” it was all worth it when we got there. The 360-degree views across the Alps were stunning. That night we
slept in a mountain Rifugio at an altitude of 3200m and I have such happy memories of an evening filled with laughter and stories from the day. With that in mind, I would take a look around at the stunning scenery and be grateful for the opportunity that I had been given. It was a real privilege to go on Exercise Delago Tiger. The skills that we developed – finding courage, building mental resilience and working as a team – will be invaluable going forward whatever career path we choose.
“During the two weeks there were certainly times that I felt out of
my comfort zone and personally challenged, especially when it was wet and slippery. But as someone once said”, “if you don’t climb the mountain, then how will you enjoy the view?”
OCdt Tilly Dollar
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 21