Page 51 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

The RMAS AGC (SPS) Detachment annual Adventure Training expedition, led by Sgt Limbu, set out in the late hours of Friday 7th July 2017 for a week of fun yet challeng- ing Adventurous Training in Oberstdorf, Bavaria. Hiking, kayaking and mountain biking would be the chosen activities to easily encourage all par- ticipants to get well and truly out of their comfort zones. Our instructors, SSgt Barry Philpott, Sgt Kirk Sparke and Cpl Scott Wells would be the ‘instigators’ in achieving this. A round robin style schedule would give everyone the opportunity to participate in at least one day of each activity.
With the main focus for hiking being to improve our map reading skills and working together, SSgt Philpott ensured the route card was thor- oughly planned out by each group the night before setting off on their big adventure. With having to take bearings, relating the map to the ground, it appeared map reading was not eve- ryone’s strong point, with two groups finding it difficult to get themselves out of the town even after the planning. Being left to our own devices in creating our own route, my group somehow managed to select the longest
Cpl Halsall
had taken the shorter but steeper route up the 2224m Neblehorn Mountain like the other group. Although very demanding and challenging, both hikes were an incredible experience in enhanc- ing the skills of all personnel; I can safely say Cpl Faye will now find his way around the orienteer- ing course.
The first stage of the kayaking was the main test- ing point, having to get cold and wet. Jumping off a heightened platform into the waters of the Grober Alpsee wearing a buoyancy aid gave comfort and confidence to each individual. This still didn’t mean we could be trusted in the kayak on the water just yet. Under the guidance of Sgt Sparke we sat in the kayak on dry land learn- ing the characteristics of a kayak and the paddle technique. On completion, the final test, before being let loose, was sit in the kayak on the water with Sgt Sparke eager to take us out of our com- fort zones and using the drills taught he capsized each kayak. Lucky for us we had listened to the instructions and made it out safely. From then on, we were able to kayak our way across the lake, around a little island and even found time to
play a few games.
Cpl Wells had decided to stick to what he knew when it came to mountain biking; he kept to the known route from Wertach, Bavaria and the surrounding areas. Whilst 26 miles mountain bik- ing doesn’t sound too demanding I can confirm this route was quite the
route to conquer the 2038m Fel- horn Mountain. Three quarters of the way up we seemed to hit a bit of trouble when the clouds came in our direction thick and fast. We somehow managed to reach the top safely, allowing us to take in the stunning views. If only we
Lucky for us we had listened to the instructions and made it out safely.
Exercise SLIM WARRIOR
SANDHURST 49