Page 31 - Wish Stream Year of 2016

Ex BRENNER CADET took place in Snow- donia from 15th – 21st August 2016. We were very fortunate in the composition of
the group as the majority had good mountain experience and we all got on well. This gave us all extra con dence that the expedition would be a success and alleviated any concerns we could have had. The initial phase of the expedi- tion was a success as we drove to and pitched our campsite, using the rst day to have a walk in the local area as well as establish our plan and familiarise ourselves with the area and its facili- ties and to keep ourselves supplied.
Each day would begin with breakfast and a brief from the expedition leader. Briefs mainly con- sisted of the weather conditions
for the day’s activity and the details
of the route in terms of expected
ground and duration. Relevant
preparation deductions came from
these details each day as for what
equipment to take and what cloth-
ing to begin with. As phone signal
was limited we gathered this infor-
mation from a ve-day forecast
before leaving and from shops in
Llanberis that published new information daily. However, equipment that always came with us was our safety rope and the emergency shelter, which was carried by a different member of the group each day. Setting out fairly early stopped us from walking in the higher temperatures of the day and we would return to the campsite for around 1700hrs so we could prepare for the next day and ensure we had enough rest.
The weather was our biggest threat during our expedition and by day four it had started to turn away from sunshine. However, the group was never disheartened or de-motivated to go out
for another day’s trek and by the nal day, as Wales threw everything it had at us, we were well acclimatised to being wet and a bit chilly. On the rst day, the group shared some of the skills we had learnt through our quali- cations and experience with each other, mainly based on rope-work and equipment use. Over the week
we had conquered the Glyders, Crib Goch, Mount Snowdon and a number of other peaks. As the team’s con dence grew we were able to look at tackling more interesting routes.
Particular highlights for me included the group’s skilful mastership of the camp barbecue, keep- ing us nourished in style and one member of the group’s unusual ability to juggle all kinds of fruit on top of Snowdon in sideways rain. Ex BREN- NER CADET might not have been the Italian Dolomites as it was originally planned but it was a great success, a challenging week and most importantly great fun.
Ex BRENNER CADET provides an example of the bene ts of accepting and adapting to change, seizing opportunities and showing humour and humility in all situations. It exposed group members to the process of planning and executing an adventure training expedition and has allowed them to build towards a recognised quali cation. Overall this will enable them to run similar expeditions for their soldiers once they are in command – something which is a vital part of a soldier’s development and training. This wouldn’t have been possible without the contri- bution of Sandhurst Trust, for which all members of Ex BRENNER CADET are truly grateful.
As the team’s con dence grew we were able to look at tackling more interesting routes.
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