Page 12 - The Light Blue Volunteer 2019

Ex CHAMONIX BLUE
A group of 5 Officer Cadets and 3 members of staff travelled to the town of Chamonix in the French Alps to develop leadership through controlled exposure to risk, and to reconnoiter routes and accommodation for the Tour du Mont Blanc expedition running later in the year. The exercise emcompassed days of hiking and rock climbing.
After a long journey to Chamonix we set up camp and planned hiking routes for the following day. We split into two groups for the hikes with one group
enjoying a valley walk, and the other going up into the mountains to scout areas for subsequent days. The next day both groups combined to hike up to a spectacular viewpoint across a glacier, however, the weather was not on our side and we saw nothing but cloud. The following day, we split groups once again with one going to an indoor climbing
wall to practice belaying, and the other tackling a day on the Tour du Mont Blanc to recce a section of ladders. The groups were reversed for the forth day
in Chamonix with the walkers getting a chance to do some climbing outdoors, and the others heading up to view another glacier. Finally, the groups came together on the last day to enjoy a day of sun on a crag.
We were lucky to have glorious weather for most of the trip, which enabled us to really focus on our navigating and belaying skills, and made life at the campsite much more enjoyable.
JUO McConnell
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