Page 25 - 1993 AMA Summer

Exercise Whympers Diamond
15-25 June 1993
by Sgt John Rutland R Signals
It was decided in December 1991 that this years Adventure Training would consist of something different, so rather than sitting back and letting someone else do ,all the planning. I took it upon myself to come up with something different.
ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND was chosen as I had already been to that area before and with which I was quite familiar.
ACCOMMODATION. CHALET DIANA. This again I had already stayed at before, so there was not any trouble with having to complete a recce beforehand, to confirm the amount of men that it was able to accommodate.
TIME PERIOD. Due to other operational exercises the only time slot was the period 15-26 June. This also carried the problem o f exercises directly prior to and after this.
JANUARY came and after a few consultation interviews with the RATO the paperwork started. With help of the extract from the journal of HOW TO PLAN AN EXERCISE, all the various applications were made.
Befor I knew it time was ticking away fast, and slowly the various applications were authorised.
CILOR
TRAVEL GRANT
GUIDES FEES
REGIMENTAL ASSISTANCE
SQUADRON ASSISTANCE
THE HIRE OF THE PRI MINI BUS
THE LOAN OF POOL ADV TRG ITEMS FROM DULMEN
REGIMENTAL EXERCISE CLEARANCE DIVISIONAL EXERCISE CLEARANCE HQ BAOR EXERCISE CLEARANCE MOD EXERCISE CLEARANCE
DA BERNE GAVE THE FINAL POLITICAL CLEARANCE
Then there was the equipment to collect from Dulmen. I opted to collect this personally because if there was any discrepancy with the equipment then 1could at least correct this before returning to camp.
All exercise members were issued with a standard equipment pack. This proved to be a lot easier for accounting purposes.
15 JUNE was now upon us and the exercise was under way. The journey down was a long but uneventful one.
The travel time from CELLE to ZERMATT was eleven and a half hours.
Day 1
Admin, and basic setup of the chalet. In the afternoon a short acclimatisation and loosening up walk.
Day 2
Early rise at 0330 hrs.. and a day walk up to SCHONBIEL HUTTE. For most this proved to be a very arduous day. Firstly getting up at, for most an unacceptable hour, then the altitude and distance covered.
Day 3
ROCK CLIMBING AT FURRI. Started by a walk up to the area via the GORNER SCHLUCHT. Which is a gorge that has a
Matterhorn North Face.
Army Mountaineer 23