Page 16 - 2003 AMA Summer

AMA EASTER MEET AND WORKSHOP
28 M8BC8 • 82 tPMl 2883
By Major B P towards
Picture the scene, it is the end of March when it is supposedly the prime time of the winter season as the steady build up of snow has consolidated to produce firm nevee and glistening ice that echoes from that reassuring thud at the first strike of the climbers tools. This is the paradise of every winter moun­ taineer and climbers dreams.
The reality was unfortunately very different to the dream as I drove though to Fort William passing Craig Megadaih, Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis on route with barely a patch of snow in sight. In stark contrast to the winter scene that I had virtually promised to those attending the Meet I was now confronted with green mountains. How was I going to convince them that it was worth the 6-10 hour travelling time to get to Ballachulish?
If there was one oasis in the desert of despair it was that the weather seemed to be set fair and as a result the rock crags were in perfect condition. Being optimistic as ever and not wishing to miss an opportunity Captain Graham Carter and l grabbed our rock climbing gear and snatched a few early season routes (the Web E2 5C (Polldubh) and Prana HVS 4C (Buchaille Etive Mor)) on the Friday before the Meet started..
There were 27 glum faces in the audience during the initial brief on Saturday 29 March. They were staring at me hard trying to draw comfort from my words of inspiration. The fact was that despite the dismal scene there were in fact reasonably good snow and ice conditions albeit high on both Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis. 'Seek and you shall be rewarded'
Teams were organised from within the mountaineers and climbers each with their own instructor to guide them. We were extremely fortunate to have 2 x JS M TC Instructors to assist with the Meet. Mr Andy Nelson and Sgt Dusty Miller RM whose expertise and local knowledge were invaluable. In addition. Lieutenant Commander Dave Barrett, HMS SULTAN, had kindly agreed to help me with the delivery of training to 8 x W M P candidates.
The programme:
Sat 29 Mar
Aonach Mor, basic winter skills refresher. Interest Lecture Charesky Mountains by Andy Nelson
Sun 30 Mar
Aonach Mor/Ben Nevis, winter skills continuation and ice routes
Mon 31 Mar
Ben Nevis, ice routes, Lecture - SMLTB Qualification Schemes by Alan Fyffe
Tues 01 Apr
Buchaille Etive Mor, Curved Ridge
Selection of routes achieved: Point 5, Grade 5 (Stu MacDonald & Rob Smith), Green Gully, Grade 4, The Scoop, Grade 3, Good Friday Climb, Grade 3, Gardyloo Gully, Grade 3, Inverness indoor climbing wall, exceptionally difficult, The Laroch, repeated ascents, Easy Gully, Grade 1, the day after the Laroch.
It was particularly pleasing as the Meet Leader to see a broad mix of ranks, Lieutenant Colonel to Lance Corporal as well as male and female participants turning up for an AMA event. It is the second year that an Easter Meet has been included in the AMA calendar and yet again the universal feedback was that it had been extremely successful. I would like to express my thanks to the Commandant for his continued support and to Captain Graham Carter and his team for their overwhelming hospitality.
To show how the participants found the workshop here is an short article by Sgt’s (SI) P Chiddle & (SI) D Doyle APTC.
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