Page 56 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021

Exercise
WANDERING
CADET
OCdt Levi Gray
Ex WANDERING
CADET
compromised six OCdts on on the the Summer Mountaineering Foundation Course in in in the the the Lake District One might call that a a a a a a a a rather brave choice for mid-December but hardened by our time spent in Brecon on on on Ex ALLENBY’S ADVANCE we packed plenty of warm layers and and made the the long drive up from Sandhurst to our home for the the the next week The Old School was in the the quiet village of Wythop Mill and we we we were delighted with our our new FOB! We met our our our instructor instructor Sgt Hyde who had stepped in in in in in in in after after our our original instructor instructor was sadly unable to to to join us after after a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a nasty mountain biking accident! Our plan was to to tackle five classic Lake District days whilst avoiding the the snow and com- pleting the the the the SMF course Our first lesson from Sgt Hyde was about the the the importance of creating the the the correct AT culture that blended challenge with pragmatism and in in in this instance entailed the fol- lowing motto - ‘The summit is is is optional’ Though we we were successful in in in completing our five days in in in the Lakes as as planned this was an an important reminder that there is more to to AT than the the the physical objective We had to to understand striking the the right balance in in in terms of risk and and and group management and and how to mitigate against sudden or or unexpected changes in in in weather or or environment Taking on on on Helvellyn via some great scrambling on on on Striding Edge was was a a a a a a a a a a memorable experience as as as was was all six of of us us squeezing in in in in to test out the the robustness of of the the group shelter!
When I I was was planning the the expedition I I was was mind- ful of of of the the importance of of of having some moments of of of reflection after a a a a a a a a a busy Intermediate Term and where better than at at the country’s highest War War Memorial Memorial on Scafell Pike? There was also a a a a a a a a a a a a a War War Memorial Memorial at at the summit of Great Gable which was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a perfect way to end our trip It was was a a a a a a a a a a a a a won- derful week of mountaineering (and perhaps a a a a a a a a a a a a a a few cream teas!) Many thanks to The Sandhurst Trust for supporting our adventure!
54 SANDHURST