Page 27 - 2010 AMA Spring

SIKKIM SLOG –
A TRIP TO !NCREDIBLE INDIA
By Lt R C Milton AGC (ETS)
£50
ARTICLE
They lunge at you wildly. Dropping from trees, or attaching how to pack for potential temperature extremes of 35degrees in
themselves as you brush past the lush green foliage; their
bite is silent and painless. Capt Jen Robbins AGC (ETS) found one on her chest, Cpl John Moffatt had the misfortune to find one on his throat whilst the whole expedition suffered bites on ankles, wrists and hands. Thin and thread like to begin with, they gorge themselves on your blood until they appear slug like in appearance. What am I talking about? Leeches. And of course since exotic pests demand exotic locations, this was never going to be any ordinary mountaineering expedition.
Ex Sikkim Slog was the AGC Mountaineering expedition that took place between the 30 Jul and the 16 Aug 09 in the region of Sikkim, North Western India. Organised by Maj Eddie Elms AGC (ETS) and ably assisted by Capt Jen Robbins and Capt Lisa Tankaria-Clifford AGC (ETS) it was both ambitious and arduous. The aim in short was to ‘plant’ the Corps flag on one of India's highest and most spectacular mountain passes. The expedi-
tion will also develop the affective abilities of AGC soldiers by challenging their teamwork and outdoor skills by trekking in a mountainous area, and introducing them to an unfamil-
iar culture.
The expedition began with the issue of kit from Worthy Down. Challenge number one was ensuring that we all had the correct docu- mentation and visas. Unfortunately, of the original 18 group members, four were unable to attend due to illness and visa problems. Challenge number two was
Delhi to -10degrees on the mountain. Of course, rather unhelpful- ly we had an airline weight limit of just 20kg. Nevertheless, with everything packed and with all group and individual kit issued, the main body minus Maj Eddie Elms and Maj John Maher who were the advance party set off for London Heathrow.
Arriving in Delhi, there is nothing that can prepare you for the com- plete assault on your senses. From the hawkers and beggars, to the heat, exotic smells and incessant beeping of horns, it was a relief to board the bus for the hotel. Our stay in Delhi was short. With just an afternoon to acclimatise and brief visits to Ghandi's cremation site, the Old Fort and Old Delhi for a treacherous rick- shaw ride, we were soon back at the airport flying onward to Bagdogra in Sikkim.
Cocooned between Nepal, Bhutan and bordering China, Sikkim is a small mountainous region with strong Nepalese influences. Met at the airport by our guides, Bikkash and Prem we were soon negotiating the narrow, twisting roads towards our first overnight stop in Gangtok, the region's capital. Barely pausing for breath, the next day we were again on the move to Yuksom, which is where
the trek would begin.
Situated at 1750m above sea level, Yuksom is a small, very basic mountain hamlet. Met the next day by our entourage of three guides, two cooks, one Sherpa, seven porters, 15 yaks and
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