Page 77 - Mercian Eagle 2013

Ex DIAMOND EAGLE
Exercise DIAMOND EAGLE II a level 2 AT exercise in the Harz Mountains that comprises two seven day packages, 06–12 May and 13–19 May 13.
We left Fallingbostel in four hire vans and set off on our adventure in high spirits with the thought of two weeks away from a busy unit that is preparing for OPH19 making this even more desirable.
There were four organised activities to take part in; hill walking, kayaking, mountain biking and climbing. The mountain biking was a planned route up and down hills, through forests and some technical riding skills. All this was over a 37km route;
it was a lot more enjoyable that we first thought. The instructor made it look very easy and showed skills that the rest of us could only dream about. The bikes were really well looked after however they did leave us all walking like monsters, as we all had a mega-sore-ass, the thought that the instructor had to go out tomorrow with a new group of students made us feel better.
Hill walking took us to the top of the Brochen, the highest point in the Harz Mountains and featuring the best viewing points to see the whole
of the old steam train leaving the station soon wiped the smiles from our faces. The only thing that kept us going now was
the thought that the mountain leader was having to do this again tomorrow and the day after.
Kayaking was next on the agenda. The trailer was packed with the kayaks and
mountains around you.
We started our walk
through the woods
but constantly going
uphill and all taking a
leg of the navigation. A
steam train was winding
it’s was through the
mountain as we walked
and all we could think
about was all the people on board going to the same place as us but with a seat and
a buffet cart. The train arrived at the top
of the Brochen the same time as us and there was the feeling of satisfaction when we could see the whole route that we had walked. The top of the Brochen has an
Old Russian listening station that has been turned into a hotel, restaurant and museum. The views up here are worth the walk. The only problem, was that we knew we had
to walk back with backside still in pain
from the mountain biking, the fire that was starting to burn in our thighs and the sound
safety equipment
and then headed off
the lake. There are numerous lakes in the Harz Mountains, but the one that was chosen for the kayaking had everything that was needed for the activity. We were shown the basics and a few skills
to keep us safe. Then we did some exciting torpedoes into the lake from different heights. There was a dam at the end of the lake, which made for the perfect water slide.
We all went for a meal that was booked by the chef in one of the local restaurants called Blueberry Hill. The food here was well worth the money and the owner provided the entertainment with his guitar and singing, within minutes we were all joining in.
We all went to the high wire course, which is like an assault course in the trees. We were issued safety harnesses and given
We started our walk through the woods but constantly going uphill and all taking a leg of the navigation.
a safety brief from the instructor. That was it; we were free to conquer the 120 different activities that were suspended in the
trees. The activities were all well marked with different colours for level of difficulty, green, blue, red and black. Black being the hardest ensured that it took its pound of flesh and worked muscles that you didn’t know existed.
Overall the adventure training was well planned out and enjoyed by all. We all learnt new skills even if we all thought
we were pro mountain bikers or climbers. Interacting with other soldiers that we do not normally work with and over coming one more challenge for most of us, which we thought was not possible. Adventure training is for everyone and now as a result there are a few more soldiers that are interested in gaining AT qualifications.
Ex FROSTED BLADE Lt Priggs – OC Mortar Platoon
Clocking speeds of 130 kph on the autobahn making their way back to England is something many soldiers of 3 MERCIAN do weekly. However doing it down a mountain on a pair of racing skis is less common, especially when you’ve only skied five weeks in your life! This is what the seven members of the 3 MERCIAN alpine skiing team did this Christmas on Exercise Frosted Blade, The Infantry Alpine Skiing Championships.
In the early hours of 1 December 2012 the team started the 14 hour drive from their home in Fallingbostel to the French Alps. As we climbed into the snowy resort town of Val d’Isère we were greeted by fairy lights, snow sculptures, restaurants, fancy underwear shops and attractive ladies entering bars, all enjoyed by the team to one
degree or another despite the busy training regime! After the first day of administration, the 5 weeks’ training began.
During the first two weeks Val d’Isère had lots of snow which is not conducive to racing. What it is conducive to is off-piste skiing through woods, dropping cliffs (hippy-skier speak for jumping off high features), 180s, 360s and back flips – or at least attempting to. Personally it was the best time I’ve had skiing. The rest of the team were in a similar state of mind and coming on leaps and bounds in their ability. From complete beginners they were now popping in and out of the fresh snow like pros. This was due to the French civilian instructors who must pass the most demanding ski instructors’ course in the world. Luckily they were as much fun as they were
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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