Page 26 - AMA Winter 2023/24

CLIMBINGMEETS
Phil leading the way
AMA SWISS ROCK & RIDGES 2023
Chris Wright
AMA Swiss Rock and Ridges took place over the 3-15 Jul 23. The aim of the exercise was to provide logbook experience to AMA members who were within reach of the highest level of JSAT instructor courses. The meet involved five experienced members of the AMA, whittled down from 42 applicants. The itinerary was based on numerous classic alpine rock routes across Switzerland and Italy. The exercise started in the Susten Pass with a shake-out on the South Ridge of the Undertalstock, spent three nights in the Bergsee Hut hitting all three classic ridges, before heading down to the Albigna Hut in the Bregaglia region for a further two nights, ticking-off
the Piz Balzet, Punta da l’Albigna and the North-East Ridge of the Spazzacal- dera. The exercise reduced to three for the final phase and despite intentions to climb the North Ridge of the Piz Badile, the weather forced a re-think and a move to the Piansecco Hut for the traverse of the Poncione di Cassina Baggio and the final climbing day swirling in the mist on the South-East Ridge of the Joderhorn (approached from Macugnaga in Italy).
Whilst I could use this article to recount how amazing the rock climbing was (and it was!), I will outline some of what I learnt in relation to the exercise’s two secondary objectives: The remit of JSAT climbing
Approaching the summit of Piz Balzet
26 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER