Page 7 - RAFMA Winter 2003

The Joint Service Alpine Meet (JSAM) 02 was based at
Saas Grund in the Valais region of Switzerland and all
who took part agreed it was a resounding success. The
expedition area was plenty for everyone's needs and
covered everything within the Valais East and Valais West
climbing guides (Alpine Club publication); in essence
this was all mountains within the Swiss border south of
the Martigny-Visp road and covered access from 3
different valleys! While the Valais Alps were seeing far
too much snow for that time of year, routes were still
attempted and the RAFMA element were very industrious
in their bid to be the Service that spent the most of nights
out of the campsite - could this be they just wanted a
comfy bed and the ambience of a hut? Overall, 21
RAFMA members took part over the 2 week period
during which they collectively ticked the 4000 metre peak register no less than 85 times. Notable ascents were Dan Carroll and Dutch Holland along with Martyn Gallagher who conquered the Matterhorn when even some guides were baulking at the thought due to weather conditions. Colin Scott went climbing with the Royal Marines (Dave Pearce) and did just about every route on the Weismiess (when taking into account descents) including the Difficile North Ridge in a day trip, a route also done by Jules Turner on an day trip with the Army (Sam Marshall). Colin and Dave also completed the Difficile NNE face of the Lenzspitze as did Dan Carroll and Martyn Gallagher. Meanwhile, Dave Tait and Chris Berryman continued their efforts to become the 'North Face Technicians' by completing the Triftjigrat on the North face of the Breithorn (Difficile).
But the most praise has to go to Fay Potton and Dave Fielder who, as Alpine novices, were left in the tender care of Phil Maddocks from the British Alpine Centre, Bavaria. They completed 4 4 0 0 0 metre peaks including an Assez Difficile + route on the Allalinhorn - no mean feat in their first season, partic­ ularly when the majority of other RAFMA members went via the voie
Stu Boyce, Phil Maddocks and Fay Potfon approaching summit of the Weismeiss.
normale (Andy Davies and Jules Turner even went back to do the route it was so good!)
The best blag of the Meet was Stew Boyce who was desperately trying to improve his Alpine CV by trying to claim an Assez Difficile + route because he had abseiled down the crux - sorry mate, you'll have to try harder. Close on his heels was Ed Jones who wanted to claim the Alphubel after 'nearly reaching the summit' - again, sorry mate and Dan was not making a cloim anyway. Comment of the Meet must go to Colin Scott who wonted to know if the 'water was fresh?' after being offered the use of a large container of the stuff to make tea - well Chairman, in future just let us know the temperature, vintage and chemical analysis you require and we'll do our best to please! Best piece of kit, apart
from the minibus organised by me, was my gazebo that served us well in the rain and provided useful shade when the sun scorched thro' - pity someone else was always in my chair. And finally, the award for intelligence goes jointly to Dave Tait and Jules Turner who will be only too pleased to explain the reason for the award - I'm sure they have the time!
If you are interested in going along either for another trip or as a novice, then get in touch with someone who can advise you, which is just about any
ByRichardPainter
Lto R: Tim Thompson, Chris Berryman, Rich Painter and Stu Boyce relax at Base Camp.
Committee member. It's great to
Success atJSAM 02 Journal 2003 RAFMA
talk and the opportunity to climb in the Alps with all the assistance that
on duty status brings is
felli
surely
too good to