Page 23 - 2017 AMA Winter

INSPIRATION
Noun: 1. the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative; 2. a sudden brilliant or timely idea.
Are you reading this alone in the block or in the Mess? Or at home avoiding doing the washing up? Or are you sitting in front of Dii procrastinating over work and staring out of the window on another wet afternoon? Are you wishing you could be elsewhere? Would you rather be on the sharp end of a rope or cutting steps up a Névé field? What about waking up in a wild bivvy in the mountains? Would you rather be anywhere else than heading out on exercise on the Plain again?
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832
Thumbing through a guide book the chances are that the AMA has been there before. The Himalaya, the US and Canada, Africa, Greenland, Europe, Antarctica, South America, New Zealand, the Alps, the Arctic and across the UK. Soldiers from all capbadges, all ranks, male, female, novice and expert have ventured across the globe in search of
the challenge, the thrill and the fun of the mountains.
In 1982 39 Engr Regt and Cambridge University succeeded in re-tracing Hannibal’s march over the Alps. They completed the route and mapped the area.
In 1985 a small team from 17/21 LANCERS attempted to climb Mt Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger in a week travelling between each attempt in Series 3 Landrovers. They managed one out of three but had no regrets.
In 1995 a trooper from Hereford attempted a solo unsupported trek to the geograph- ical North Pole after Ranulph Feinnes failed in his attempt. He got close but was eventually recovered having endured temperatures as low as -54 degrees C.
“Those who need to ask, will never understand the answer – Those who understand the answer, will never need to ask!”
Wally Herbert, British Trans-Arctic Expedition, 1968
What would you do? It could be new routing in Greenland, bouldering in the US desert or French forests, trekking in the Greater Ranges, climbing sea stacks in Tasmania, exploratory mountaineering in hard to reach places, traversing the upper slopes of Everest or just climbing a familiar route with a good friend or a new one. The challenges of adventurous training will always make us yearn for more. Mountaineering develops leaders and creates memories that last a lifetime. The AMA holds a massive PXR library dating back over 60 years in the membership office at JSMTC Indefati- gable. It is a gold mine of information, experience and inspiration. Use it and then add to it.
Now stop sitting down and go chase your dreams.
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 21