Page 14 - The Light Blue Volunteer Journal 2022

Ex Mont Blanc Blue
This year Cambridge UOTC attempted the famous Tour du Mont Blanc circuit, Europe’s premier long distance trekking route, attempting to cover some 170km through Alpine France, Italy, and Switzerland around the Mont Blanc massif.
We formed up in Cambridge on Sunday August 14th, for kit checks and last-minute packing before heading off
in the early hours the following morning. Setting up a base camp in Chamonix, cadets spent the following day sorting out kit and equipment to set off with, preparing for the 9-day hike around Mont Blanc, with all contingencies in mind.
A short train ride to Les Houches marked the beginning of the TMB, and spirits were high for what would be an arduous but enjoyable trek. 11 OCdts
and 4 instructors set off on Wednesday 17th from Les Houches, finishing in Les Contamines later that afternoon. The first day consisted of mostly flat terrain and following mainly roads between villages to get onto the TMB proper. Heavy showers in the evening, however, meant that we were all grateful for shelter and some rest in preparation for the following day. Thursday saw long stretches of rolling hills and fairly even ground. Sleeping in a shared room with 14 to a bed was an interesting feature of a very remote refuge, but one we would all not mind given the very heavy downpours
that night.
The following day would
mark the beginning of a bout of illness that
would eventually succumb
nearly all cadets and staff, as we left
our refuge for the Italian border. With
the first OCdt feeling unwell shortly
after departing, the group rapidly took measures to alleviate their illness by distributing kit and weight from their rucksack. Reaching the Col de Seigne, we had crossed over into Italy, and a long and slow decline followed until
we reached our next refuge at Monte Bianco. The stunning scenery of the Italian Alps was a constant feature of
our walk the following day, descending down into the town of Courmayier.
There we stocked up on any necessary supplies and medicines before heading off again for our next refuge. By Saturday, a majority of OCdts and staff were now feeling unwell with stomach aches and nausea, becoming clear that the group had been infected by some bug that was passing through all of us. Unfortunately, the decision was made to pull us off the TMB given this reality, a decision that would prove incredibly wise given that more cadets would fall ill in the following days, and that Courmayier marked the last town with accessibility back to Chamonix.
Once back, those ill rested and recuperated before attempting any more walking. The following days were spent completing the remaining French legs of the TMB, using Chamonix as a staging area. Covering some 35km in the final two days, the entire group was able to finish the last leg from Flegre to Les Houches, to complete the entire French section of the route. Having now walked some 120km of the 170km route, CUOTC had completed the entire French and
Italian sections of the TMB. With the Swiss side unfortunately untouched, we can’t help but we feel we have unfinished business with the route, and planning is already in motion to finish the entire TMB next Summer.
The TMB marked the final AT expedition for what has been a packed Summer for CUOTC. This expedition would not have been possible without the professionalism of the instructors with us, and crucially Maj Bevin back home in the UK. Most importantly, however, a special thank you to 2Lt Hall who managed and led this expedition, her decision-making, leadership,
and commitment to her troops was exemplary, and we are all grateful for the work and dedication she has shown to us thorough this exped.
OCdt James Friend
14 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER