Page 6 - Wish Stream Year of 2018

Exercise APP WANDERER
OCdt Corbett
Following an immensely rewarding week competing in the Sandhurst Competi- tion at the United States Military Academy,
West Point, seven RMAS Officer Cadets made for Charlottesville to conduct a week of moun- taineering on the famous Appalachian Trail. The group collected their instructor, 2Lt Bapty, then treated their worn legs to some much-needed respite in the rented SUVs on the long journey down the east coast, finally arriving at the Airbnb just around the corner from the University of Vir- ginia campus.
Each day, the team set out in convoy to cover various legs of the famed fourteen-state hik- ing trail, mainly based in Shenandoah National Park, a short drive from their base in Charlottes-
ville. The undulating terrain the group encoun- tered on each hike provided some challenging routes through predominantly wooded trails; the stunning landscape views from the ridge lines, however, made the climbs all worth the effort. On the hotter days, fortunately for the cadets, some of the trails were home to freezing plunge- pools at the foot of steep cascades. Of course, this provided ample entertainment as the cadets devoured their packed sandwiches and had a chance to cool down after some tough climbing!
The cadets also managed to incorporate a whistle-stop tour of Washington DC following an extremely early morning hike, visiting the iconic memorials and finishing with a well-deserved pizza in Georgetown. All in all, a fantastic week!
4 SANDHURST