Page 39 - 2013 AMA Spring

Exercise
BRAVEHEART CADET Isle of Skye
By Matthew Chapman
This summer the beautiful Isle of Skye provided an ideal location to introduce five Officer Cadets to mountaineering. As part of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s training programme, cadets are to plan and run an Adventure Training expedition during second term’s leave. The terrain was challenging but the weather held out for the week and everyone gained the Summer Mountain Founda- tion qualification. The introduction to mountaineering was made all the more interesting when the group was called upon to rescue a fallen walker in the Quiraing.
Initially the plan was to walk the 128km classic route, from the northern tip of the island to the most south point. However in the weeks leading up to the expedition we had to change the plan. With delays in obtaining land clearance, chunks of our route were out of bounds, we still had a large portion of the route accessible so we decided to complete as much as we could in stages. On the last day of term we marched off the square from our Seniors Commissioning Parade and began the long drive to the Highlands.
Many hours later we arrived at Balmacara House on the edge of the Kyle of Lochalsh; our expedition base. It is relatively unknown to the Army as it was previously owned by the Royal Navy. The house can accommodate 35 personnel and is an ideal location for mountaineering and scuba diving. The staff were very friendly and provided us with lots of local knowledge and advice.
We were able to use the facilities to deliver presentations that make up part of the course syllabus during the first evening. This set us up for the following day when we blew out the map reading cob- webs with some tricky micronav in the south of the island. OCdt Diamond (RGR) was intent on looking fashionable and wore a Bar- bour jacket whilst carrying a Union Jack umbrella. He soon regret- ted his decision when the predicted occluded front, identified in the Mountain Weather lesson earlier, was confirmed on the ground. The lashing rain and driving wind soaked his jacket and turned his umbrella inside out! Needless to say he wore the issued Paramo Smock from then on!
We returned to the House for a second night and prepared for a three day expedition from Staffin Bay, along the Trotternish Ridge, summiting Storr and then descending into Portree. We set off the next morning by car and then bus to arrive at the beach to hunt for the fossilised dinosaur footprints in Staffin Bay. With our curiosity quelled we began the ascent from sea level to the Quiraing, a slope of crags and needles formed by a continual landslip process. As we approached the Needle we saw a small group gathered on the narrow path. They were surrounding a walker who had fallen 20-30 meters, stopped from falling further by hitting a cairn.
We quickly assessed the walker’s injuries and began treating her for the deep cuts to her head and arms and shock. Someone in the crowd was already on the phone to 999 but they passed the call on to the instructor. After seeing a significant improvement in the casualty’s condition we advised the operator that she was stable and did not require an urgent helicopter evacuation. Skye Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) then mustered and deployed as close as they could with a 4x4, eventually reaching the group on foot.
Whilst waiting for the MRT to arrive we inquired further about the situation before the fall. The walker was with two friends who said she had been climbing for most of the day in flip flops. Moments before the fall she changed to high top sneakers because they thought the route down from the Table to the Needle looked pre- carious. The group had minimal warm clothing so we took care of them as well; sharing our spare jumpers, hats and lots of hot chocolate until the MRT arrived.
When the MRT arrived we completed a handover of the casualty and then provided extra manpower to carry the casualty to the 4x4. We were very impressed with the MRT’s stretcher, certainly better than a poncho (for our final RMAS exercise, inspired by the rescue, we modified our lightweight stretcher with the addition of shoulder straps)! We watched from a distance as the casualty was transferred in into a waiting ambulance, we were glad to see the walker safely off the mountain. Overall it was a testing challenge for all members of the team but we gained a lot of experience and it was rewarding seeing the casualty safely leave the mountain. The accident had eaten into our expedition time significantly so we changed the plan and detoured to a new wild camp.
With tents pitched we took in the beautiful sunset and scenery, reflecting on the day’s events. Waking up the following morning was not quite as magnificent though. Hoards of midges attacked our camp the moment we left our tents. OCdt Charlton (AAC) deserves a special mention for his extremely lumpy face. Gallons of Avon moisturiser and headnets somehow failed to protect him.
Following the dramatic events of the day before, we continued with our expedition along the Trotternish Ridge and into Portree. The scenery along the route was beautiful and culminated in a pleasant climb and tricky descent on The Storr.
Overall we had a really enjoyable expedition, even managing to squeeze in a visit to the Talisker Distillery on the drive home. We thank the Army Mountaineering Association for their support and hope that many others will visit Balmacara House and the Isle of Skye.
OCdt Chalmers – Expedition Leader, OCdt Chapman – Instructor, OCdt Charlton – Midge Advisor, OCdt Diamond – Fashion Advisor, OCdt Arrowsmith and OCdt Pugh