Page 73 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

Exercise TOURING THORENS CADET
The trip began straight after CC 171’s Sov- ereign’s Parade with all the cadets quickly packing last minute items and meeting up on New College Parade Ground to board the coach to France. The stress and fatigue of the term had clearly caught up with everyone as most chose it as an opportunity to rest and recharge in preparation for the weeks training ahead.
Upon arriving in Val Thorens we set about pur- chasing ski passes, the week’s shopping and last minute sock supplies for those that forgot them, whilst we eagerly awaited the start of the skiing the next day. Unfortunately, due to differing ability levels, the group was split up. However, everyone got on well within their new groups.
Throughout the week the snow was excellent allowing everyone to experience skiing on both piste and powder. The fresh snow also gave eve- ryone the safety blanket they needed to try new tricks and skills knowing that if they fell it would be onto soft powder, as we tested many times. The beginners quickly found their feet and were progressing from greens to reds in no time, with two beginners even tackling a black on their last day. The main intermediate group completed their SF1 qualification early on and spent the rest of the week improving on personal skills and techniques needed for future qualifications. This group also spent a bit of time learning about avalanche safety and skiing off-piste to find the deeper powder, which we all enjoyed immensely. The advanced group gained their SF2 qualifica- tion which involved going into a lot more detail in avalanche safety, the gear and knowledge needed to help friends or yourself if you are ever put in that position.
Throughout the week, spirits were high and over- all it was an excellent opportunity for the cadets to get out of their comfort zones in an amazing location. Every cadet on the exercise not only improved their skiing but also gained valuable experience and knowledge of working in a more relaxed environment whilst retaining the same discipline that we have day-to-day at RMAS. A few days of mountain weather also definitely improved our resilience to the cold which will be needed for the next term. It also taught us the value of a hot drink, a lesson we repeated often throughout the day. The group also had time to reflect each evening as we took it in turns to cook in the apartment, or playing cards. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the term we just had and to look forward to the challenges to come.
Exercise WINTERWALKING CADET
Upon learning that they are to organise their own adventurous training at the end of the Intermediate Term, the majority of Officer
Cadets dream of Val Thorens or somewhere
OCdt Birkett
exotic. This was not the case for the cadets on EX WINTER WALKING CADET. Trading their flip flops for crampons and ski poles for ice axes, the group of seven got into a minibus at Sand-
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