Page 10 - The Light Blue Volunteer Journal 2022

Ex CALPE BLUE
We arrived in Alicante, Spain, then drove to Calpe before heading off to the supermarket to purchase supplies for the week.
6 Officer cadets from our Junior intake were selected to complete the RSF (Rock Climbing Single Pitch Foundation) course and the majority of these officer cadets had never climbed before.
The other 4 officer cadets were selected so they could develop and improve their current climbing skills allowing them to attend leader/ supervisor courses in the future, meaning officer cadets could potentially lead expeditions.
Climbing:
The first day of climbing was spent at the Serria de Toix- Toix Oeste area. Several climbs were set up which included the Bella Ruta, Ocho Fix, Hamana, and Uroma, all these routes were graded 3-4.
The second day of climbing was spent at the Vall de Gaudar (Echo Valley). The different climbs included Flake Drum, Bitcon and Aero, these were all graded either 4- 4+.
The third day of climbing was located at the Serria de Toix- Toix Far Oeste
area where we practised kit placement, vectors, dummy lower offs and practised protected abseils. We then climbed on routes La Roja Quato, Barnnard, Senor Jones and Eve, these were all graded 3 or 4.
The fourth day of climbing occurred at Vall de Gaudar (Echo Valley). We climbed the routes shield, Fat boy, Live wire
and Pro wire and we also completed a stacked abseil.
The final day of climbing occurred
at an indoor wall in the UK as it was
a requirement of the RSF course. For Officer cadets on the RSF, they were able to practise lead climbing and try Auto-belays. All Officer cadets were able to develop through climbing indoors by trying more challenging routes.
The goal of this trip was to complete an overseas adventure training package that would develop leadership, teamwork,
personal growth, and mental resilience. We developed our communication skills through belaying officer cadets
who were responsible for the safety of the climber. This development of communication allowed officer cadets to progress into participating in some introduction to lead climbing.
All officer cadets had to learn to trust each other and trust the kit they were using. Some officer cadets didn’t know each other that well before starting this course. This trip was a really good way of learning about each other, reading body language and being compassionate.
All officer cadets were exposed to some form of risk. If it was through their first single pitch climb on day 1, or if it was their first self-assisted abseil on day 4 for some it may have been their first- time trying lead climbing.
All Officer cadets improved their climbing throughout the week, we all became more confident in our abilities, more confident in the kit we were using and the risks we could safely take.
We transitioned from being nervous, slow, and apprehensive to becoming surefooted and ready for the challenge.
We all had to work as a team, if it was sorting out our kit at the start of the expedition or if it was belaying or making sure each other’s kit was safe. We all had to demonstrate our ability to operate as one and to ensure that each member
of our team was safe and briefed to the task.
This was the first overseas expedition
in two years that the CUOTC has been able to carry out because of covid. This was the first time that some officer cadets have been on an overseas expedition with the unit and been able to go abroad since the pandemic. Therefore, this trip enabled officer cadets to enjoy and explore the outdoors and learn new skills in stunning locations.
Climbing is all about problem solving, you’re given a route that gives you a rough idea of where you’re going but it’s on you to decide where you put your hands and feet. You must be calm and clear-headed and think logically rather than in an emotional way.
Officers cadets on the climbing foundation course received a qualification. This means as they progress to gaining more qualifications such as supervisor or mountain leader through doing more climbs and starting a logbook.
This trip has given all officer cadets the skills to become great leaders, it’s their choice to whether they go on to develop them further.
SUO Rogers & OCdt Ellison
10 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER