Page 86 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

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EX DRAGON
FROZEN SWORD
Cairngorms National Park, March 2022
Event number two for the RIFLES Mountaineering Team and what an awesome event it was. The plan was simple: across a period of 10 days in March 22, spend as much time as possible winter mountaineering and climbing within the imposing arena that is Scotland.
With a great instructor team and a keen group of a dozen Riflemen, the conditions were set. The early stages focused on low level winter mountaineering skills acquisition. Think lots of sliding around on backs and fronts trying to arrest oneself with a piece of metal (ice axe) which you are sure won’t work. The team quickly progressed to understanding movement in Scottish winter conditions
as well as on steep or indeed ridge-based terrain. With some phenomenal low-level snow and ice gully routes, as well as classic Scottish ridges, taken in over the expedition, the team rapidly found a love for alpine style mountaineering.
It’s fair to say that a couple of weeks in positively alpine Scottish conditions has whet our appetite for September’s trip to the Italian Alps.
If you are interested in joining the team please get in contact through your CoC or check us out on Defence Connect.
RIFLES Mountaineering Team
86 RIFLES The Bugle