Page 138 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING BALLACHULISH
SSgt (SSI) S G Davison-Webb RAPTC
It’s been a decidedly eventful year at JSMTW Ballachulish, following off the back of what became a fantastic winter season. A total of 6 concentrations have been conducted, including a
newly pioneered Scottish Ridges concentration which aimed to temporarily replace the annual Alpine Concentration & Serials that were still unavailable due to European travel restrictions.
The concentrations kicked off with the Inland Kayak Concentration, aka SCOTPADDLE, replacing the ALPPADDLE concentration usually ran in Slovenia. This saw individuals gain qualifications from K3N (Intermediate) to K5I (Instructor), descending some truly classic whitewater lines such as the rivers Morriston and Etive. The Sea Kayak Concentration followed shortly after; this had students & staff venturing to the far reaches around the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull, providing conditions of interest for all involved with high winds and rough swells, making crossings tricky to plan for, all the while providing the Services with more individuals qualified from S3N to S4L.
JSMTW Ballachulish staff then moved into mountaineering and climbing mode, kicking off with a rare opportunity for a week of staff training, incredibly stable weather, prolonged dry periods and a strong collection of individuals comprising of all the delivery staff to complete a full Cuillin Ridge traverse, including all the rock climbs and all the Munros, over a very enjoyable day and a half. Completing the full Cuillin Traverse set the scene for the next few weeks, with four week-long serials of the Scottish Ridges in total; the fourth and final week dedicated to running a highly successful all-female attendance on the west coasts intimidating peaks. ‘The Ridges’ allowed attendees to keep on-top and further develop their rocky ridge and scrambling skills whilst further developing their personal resilience, decision-making, and planning abilities.
After a period of normal centre delivery, JSMTW Ballachulish hosted the Canoe Concentration, further qualifying students from O3N to O5I, taking in grand adventures in some unusually good weather for the west coast of Scotland.
The next Concentration to be run was the coveted Ex CANICE, an ice climbing adventure to the premier venue of the Canadian Rockies. A somewhat delayed start to the Canadian winter made conditions ambitious at first, but eventually, the temperatures dropped and provided some world-class water-ice climbing, something that is a rarity in the UK.
Upon return from CANICE, the harsh Scottish winter was quickly into full flow, with very mixed conditions of high winds and warmer than usual temperatures providing a challenge for all the staff.
The final concentration for the training year, the Winter Concentration, saw these tricky and fickle conditions prevail. But the vastly experienced staff of Bal Wing put together
a highly successful and enjoyable two weeks for all
Kayaking on the River Garry - SSgt (SSI) Davison-Webb
Cloud Inversion on ‘The Cuillin’
who attended, providing the opportunity for students to further their personal logbook experience in preparation for WML, work on specific winter skills & snowcraft and the chance for some to go winter climbing, completing classic ascents up the north
face of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Overall, it has been a successful, challenging, varied and enjoyable year at JSMTW Ballachulish. I look forward to seeing
you all out on the hill or crag -
woolly hat or sunglasses optional.
WO2 Kemp enjoying some ‘Bombers Ice’ whilst on Ex CANICE