Page 66 - RADC 2017

Exercise Diamond Ridge
Sgt Burke, RADC & LCpl Gaylor, RADC
Sgt Burke and LCpl Gaylor were fortunate enough to be allocated a place on Ex DIAMOND RIDGE Adventure Training, to be held in Bavaria between 18– 28 Sep 17.
On the morning of the 18 Sep 17 everyone met at Catterick Barracks, Bielefeld, for 0730hrs, ready for departure to Bavaria. We were both given a few odd looks because of how much luggage we were taking, but you can never be too prepared: pack for every eventuality.
Sgt Burke and LCpl Gaylor were to take part in different aspects of outdoor AT: kayaking and trekking respectively.
We arrived in Bavaria around 1600hrs, when all were allocated their rooms and kit ready for the weeks ahead. LCpl Gaylor and a few others headed out to a festival in the local town celebrating the bringing of the cows down from the mountains. They all had a good night out, and were all back in the lodge by curfew at 2359, but most had sore heads the next day from drinking the local beer!
On our rest day (‘forced fun’ day!) we all went to the high ropes course. Everyone was very reluctant to go up as it was thundering and lightning with torrential rain,
Trekking (Mountain climbing)
LCpl Gaylor, RADC
“On the first day of activities the weather was not in our favour, due to the non- stop rain, but this did not stop the group arriving at the first destination. To ease the team in gently we walked 9 miles but as WO1 Hughes kept reminding us – “we’re getting paid to do this!”
As the days went on the weather started
to brighten up which made trekking less painful and more enjoyable, especially when we reached the top of the mountain where the views were breathtaking, and, of course, the Kaffee and Kuchen were well deserved. We walked a total of 75 miles over 8 days. To say my legs were burning at the end was an understatement!”
Sgt Burke Tree hugging
Crazy legs
LCPL Gaylor Tree hugging
64 RADC BULLETIN 2017
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING