Page 28 - 2017 AMA Summer

Ex DRAGON’STROLL By Martin South
The Lyngen Alps. On any ski tourers tick list. Lyngen offers a superb variety and quality of terrain from introduc- tory touring to superb ski-mountaineering terrain. The aim of the exercise was to introduce and train soldiers in ski-touring, providing valuable log book experience for junior soldiers for further Joint-Service AT qualifications. The exercise provided both the Ski Foundation 3 (SF3) qualifica- tion, and training also focused on those individuals progressing through the JSAT instructor scheme.
Although those already holding the SL qualifications are strong skiers, their moun- taineering experience can be limited. Therefore, time on-mountain is particularly valuable in the development of skills such as quick and efficient personal adminis- tration, navigation, mountain awareness, weather patterns, and how they affect the snowpack etc which were all repeatedly highlighted during the training in order to reinforce the mountaineering aspect of skiing. Luckily, I had both Richie Simpson and Geordie Taylor’s experience to rely on as my two instructors. Richie as the SL3 for my SF3s, and Geordie Taylor for my SLs. Luckily Geordie left his Brompton bike at home this time around, unlike the Winter Meet in Aviemore...
A weekday, morning flight ensured no issues at Heathrow, and the party flew to Oslo on the first leg of the journey to Tromsø. A seamless transition to our
next domestic flight to Tromsø, apart from Callum Taylor, who selflessly donated his recently bought bottle of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum to Norwegian Customs and Excise whilst passing through security onto our next flight. The exped stayed overnight in Tromsø at the Viking Hotel, which gave everyone the opportunity to fill-up on complimentary waffles and coffee before going out for a quick sight-see, and for those new to Norway an opportunity to experience Norwegian prices for food and drink. The Norwegian weather certainly didn’t disappoint, and there was snow on the ground all the way to the harbour’s edge. A good indication for the conditions the exped was to have for the week ahead.
Thu 6 Apr 17
Russelvfjellet (794m). For the SF3 group, the first on-mountain day was an easy touring day to get the exped familiar- ised with Alpine Touring equipment and to introduce new skills. Russelvfjellet is recommended as an introductory peak to the Lyngen Alps, so it was a good choice for the first day. This first day afforded Richie to legitimately claim that his skis had now seen both Arctic and Antarctic snow, and the party took to skinning through the trees in their stride. The light was fairly poor, although the party still had superb views out onto the Arctic Ocean. When the mountain’s saddle was reached,
26 ARMY MOUNTAINEER