Page 61 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

Exercise CYPRIOT CADET
OCdt Joshua Collett
On the 16th of December, the day after leav- ing the parade square and Intermediate Term behind them, seven Officer Cadets
from Inkerman Company deployed on EXER- CISE CYPRIOT CADET, a six day rock climbing expedition taking place in the gloriously warm country of Cyprus.
The week started well, leaving behind near freez- ing temperatures for the 21 degree heat that was specifically booked for the expedition. This was swiftly followed by the instructor’s realisation that he was in for a much more difficult week than he had anticipated. Two of the Officer Cadets had a fear of heights, three had never climbed before, and OCdt Appleby’s consistent use of the words ‘Ally’ and ‘lizard’ led the instructor to believe he had not left Sandhurst in months.
Even with this complete lack of experience, the week worked astoundingly well. At the start of the week the Cadets deployed to a location where they struggled to put a harness on and climb a 45 degree slope, but a big push on the aims of AT allowed them to expand their comfort zones. By Wednesday all Cadets were compet- ing hard for the climber of the week. The one handed hold was a firm favourite for the chal- lenge, as seen in the picture, and all Cadets decided that they had to have that photo in order to qualify for the RSF qualification they were hoping to gain. OCdt Appleby, however, failed to achieve this hold, and proceeded to walk away referring to other members as lizards.
The expedition provided ample opportunity for Officer Cadets to test all aspects of their char- acter. Mental resilience was tested on numerous occasions, from abseiling off high overhangs into the abyss, to entrusting other Cadets to belay, even after chuckling at their shaking legs just moments earlier. Patience and the ability to remain calm were a must. The most important test of the week though, had to be the adapt- ability of the Cadets. The original plan allowed for some indoor climbing, a cultural visit on day five, and the expectation of staying on small crags that would provide comfortable climbing for all. This was definitely not the case, and the Cadets had to adapt to climbing and abseiling in all sorts of weird and wonderful places throughout the week, foregoing the cultural visit in search of something else to climb, in search of the elusive climber of the week award.
This was an extremely productive week, provid- ing not quite as much rest as they would have hoped, but all cadets arrived back in the UK having learnt not only about rock climbing, but definitely about themselves and their character.
SANDHURST 59