Page 61 - KRH Regimental Journal 2022

It was ambitious, we can all admit that. But when tasked with delivering Alpine Skiing Adventurous Training, for the KRH the mantra ‘go big or go home’ comes to mind: arduous activity, pushing soldiers out of their comfort zones (within a loosely con- trolled setting!), experience of new environments, to judge physi- cal courage, and of course, to have fun.
With all that and more in mind, ALPINE HAWK 23 was born: Three weeks of alpine skiing in Val Thorens. 30 soldiers deploy- ing each week: 90 in total, with a team of support staff. Just under 20% of the Regiment would get the opportunity to don skis and attack the pistes. Under the watchful eyes of the Regimental 2IC (was it this that first damaged his corneas?!), Maj Williamson and Capt Corne pulled the plan together. After emptying Bde and Div coffers and looking down back of every sofa in the mess, the nec- essary funds were secured: we were off.
Sgt Kingston, newly qualified as a Ski Leader one and the chief instructor, took the skiing virgins under his wing. Demonstrating his patience and instructional ability in getting everyone back to the accommodation each night. As with any SF1 course the first job in hand is to sort out the fibbers; those that have claimed to have skied before yet somehow manage to but their boots on the wrong feet (Lt Cavendish) and their skis on back to front (Sgt Bradbury). Once training began the students really applied them- selves. Of note Tpr Faizan had a great head-on with the magic carpit lift, Tpr Finch spent some time vomiting from ‘exhaus- tion’ in sniper alley and Tpr Barbour had a wobbly start to the week, but having come from the snow laced highlands of Scotland nobly proved that practice really doesn’t make perfect. Best nov- ice would have to go to Tpr Comer, determined and resilient he showed a tremendous improvement from start to finish.
The more experienced were taken off by an RAF Flt LT Dan Yeomans, who as a supporting SL2 Instructor could test and improve skills on more demanding slopes, pushing the limits of the three valleys ski passes to find challenging off-piste and, most importantly, photo ops ‘for the ‘Gram’. Yet again Cavendish didn’t fail to impress... after leaving the accommodation with- out his gloves, he then also decided to leave a pole behind at a chair lift and lose a ski after he tuck tailed from an altercation with a snowboarder. One of our attached guests had a great time
Barbour and Finch; getting to grips with the mountain, and their ‘pizzas’
The Regimental Journal of The King’s Royal Hussars 59
ALPINE HAWK 23
Lt Sam Trowbridge (aka AWIC Dave) in his second home