Page 13 - 2006/07 AMA Winter

Kerry at rock i_ step Allalinhorn
Demo rescue to practice rope systems and rescue techniques.
Training fnr Tibet -
Capt Raj Nathwani RAMC
The 1st July 2006 saw the
start of the first alpine
meet as training for the
2007 AMA’s 50th Anniversary
expedition to Mount Shisha palace, and the only thing
Pangma (8041m), Tibet. which had been missed off Twenty regular and reserve some people’s list was the members crammed them­ indoor Jacuzzi. Geordie selves and their copious Taylor, the expedition leader amounts of kit into three had even managed to bring
minibuses and headed out
from all over the UK to Saas
Fe, Switzerland, aiming to
meet up with other expedition
members there. I for my sins
was attempting to make served as an introduction for
many of us in Alpine moun­ taineering skills and ethos. Early morning fat burning runs
things simple by meeting the
minibus at Folkestone, having
watched England get knocked
out of the World Cup. with Chip ‘Richard Branson’
However, with the usual dis­ astrous touch from British Rail and then an unhelpful taxi- man, I found myself marching the last mile to the Channel Tunnel link with more kit than I should have had to arrive just in time for the train across in a nice sweaty mess. Twelve hours later we were at the campsite looking up at the towering surroundings eagerly awaiting our first ascents and
Rafferty got wiped away the early morning cob webs and got everyone into the training mode. After a night in the Britannia Hut learning from Terry how students ‘spank’ their loans and trying to catch what little sleep we could, we were ready for out first 4000m peak, the Allalinhorn. By the time we started, it was already very warm outside, and the day saw multiple steps ending
people already starting off their summer tans. Tent sizes were generally bordering on the size of Buckingham
his family heirloom, the cop­ per kettle.
Under the guidance of our instructors, the first two days
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 11