Page 15 - The Light Blue Volunteer Journal 2022

CUOTC’s second Exped to Chamonix this year, Ex Dragon Mont Blanc Blue began as all great trips do: wondering what, if anything at all, Maj. Wilson had packed in his bag. Concerns about lack of spare clothing aside, the team boarded the combi-vans and set off
for France with three aims in mind:
to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc,
to gain confidence operating in the mountains, and most simply to have fun.
Having had our fill of cilor Orangina, we were glad to reach the campsite in time and awoke for a day of preparation and acclimatisation. Though I would love to recount how boots were polished and knots were practiced, they weren’t, but we were nevertheless rearing to go as the sun set over the picturesque Alps.
In the days that followed the team were swallowed into what could have easily been the set of The Sound of Music; lush green fields rippling with the sound of cow bells (and the occasional Canadian) were offset by the towering peaks of the middle distance, all the while our focus fixed left on the looming Mont Blanc. We set a strong pace and quite literally took both mountains and rivers in our stride, often arriving earlier than anticipated and earning ourselves an extra hour or so to air our feet. The coffee was strong, the food was French, our feet were dry. All was well.
By the third evening our days of camping (and with it 2lt. Hall’s pastry- austerity policy) had come to an end and we were excited to enter our first hostel. Whilst the prospect of sharing an 18-person bedroom appealed somewhat to us convivial brits, the same could
not be said for our French neighbours, seeming to enjoy Ocdt Ellison’s brash attempt at diplomacy about as much as Sgt-Major Dovibua’s encounter with that evening’s organ grinder, declaring on the
third chorus of La Marseillaise: “that’s enough for me”.
The early-start early-finish policy worked well, and we saw off what little there was off the misty weather with ease and packed away our rain jackets for good as we crossed the border into Italy. As we made our way through the small towns and villages, we had time enough to soak up the views with a mountainside lunch or traditional café, making the most of our time abroad and reflecting on what we’d missed these past few years.
What followed, I’m afraid, was rather less picturesque, as one by one Ocdts were robbed of their serenity by hurried bouts of Noro virus. Before long, nearly three quarters of the team were afflicted and plagued scenes of both Cadets
and Staff slumped in hostel corridors forced a tactical withdrawal back to Chamonix. Despite this, those who were able enjoyed the remaining days in
the mountains exploring world-famous glaciers and a slightly less famous, but equally rewarding final restaurant supper.
Whilst this report may sound like
a blithe holiday with friends, it is important to remember that we walked near enough 100 miles and climbed thousands of metres, for some enduring their first experience of Europe, the mountains, and extensive hiking. This leads me to conclude that although
one objective was failed, the other two we completed and likely surpassed. When disaster strikes, it provides an opportunity to learn, and I’m sure all
on the trip will join me in thanking 2lt. Hall, Maj. Bevin, and all the MLs for their teaching in that respect. On reflection, I never really wanted to see Switzerland anyway, I’m told it all looks the same.
JUO Fordham
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 15