Page 21 - Wish Stream Year of 2018

EX PICOS PEDDLER embarked from RMAS one early Saturday morning after finishing our intermediate Term. Our destination of Bil-
bao Airport in northern Spain was only a couple of hours from Picos Mountains where we would be hiking for five days. Having met our instructor in Bilbao, we set off the next day for Fuente De, a mountainous region in the Picos with some well- known walking routes and very steep imposing high alpine mountains. Upon arrival it was clear the significant amount of snow, still present in the region, limited our walking within this area to less than 1600m. Though a great shame to realise this, there was still a significant amount of great walking to be had in the region.
Our first day we explored the nearby region and learnt the essential skills of belaying with- out climbing equipment. Both single and dou- ble rope techniques were taught. After this we ascended to steeper ground to test each other’s confidence in some more technical terrain. The following day we headed down to lesser altitude
OCdt Perks
in the region of Potes, a small town populated with some fantastic walking routes. We identi- fied a stunning peak nearby and set off walking through some brilliant terrain. Summiting this 1600m peak at midday we stopped for lunch and descended shortly after.
The following days we walked in the region of Bulnes and the Cares Gorge, a stunning walk along the bottom of a huge river-formed gorge in the Western Picos. Though the terrain was not significantly physically challenging it vastly improved our navigation and confidence in alpine terrains. Having had all members of the exped help with the organisation of the trip, it really showed us how easy it is to organise Adventur- ous Training expeditions. This is something we all look forward to undertaking in the near future for our own troops.
Many thanks to Sandhurst Trust for the financial support; expeditions such as these would not be possible nor as adventurous without such support.
Exercise PICOS PEDDLER
SANDHURST 19