Page 34 - 2002 AMA Winter

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WHYSKI MOUNTAINEER?
PUT 2
By Damien Plant
"The slow rhythm of the ascent as the sun gradually lights up the snowfields; the pleasure of the summit halt after a long and hard climb; the joy of the descent, picking a line down the untracked snow of an unknown valley; the pleasures of comradeship; the fun and banter when touring with old friends; these are just a few of the intangibles that go to make up our sport”.
Introduction
This comment from Jeremy Whitehead (author of the Alpine Ski Touring and Mountaineering Handbook) provides one person’s summary of the appeal of ski moun­ taineering. I use it here because I believe the beginning and end of the quote would imme­ diately be recognised by Army moun­ taineers. The middle third however illustrates the added advantage for the skier - the chance of a quick descent that is at least as enjoyable as every other aspect of the route Indeed it reveals that the descent on ski allows one to exit the mountains by a com­ pletely different route; often one which is more remote and will in any case allow the traveller to see an otherwise unvisited area.
Going Down
Speaking personally I have to say that the descent on foot has never been a favourite; it either seems to be getting dark, slippy and grotty (Scotland), or hot and dehydrating (bigger mountains abroad). In either instance one is usually knackered and, dare I say this, devoid of enthusiasm. This gap is filled for me by the descent on ski, which is exciting, and can be immensely testing.
Hmm, Compromise..
There are compromises involved. Some peaks do not allow a ski-ascent and, in order to make the most of a descent one needs to be fresh, meaning perhaps less testing goals. There is inevitably more kit involved and the danger that some of it will fail. Ultimately there is less choice, particularly if
skills. We finished the day raring to go and keen to get into the big stuff! Wednesday morning took us up the Col du Midi for an acclimatisation trek that finished up at a mountain hut at about 3600m. Although not too long a day, the effect of the altitude left us feeling quite tired, to say the least. The pain was to spend a night at altitude and the attempt Mt. Blanc du Tacul the next day. Although a 4000m peak Mac thought as a ‘fit’ Army group it would be good fun! The following morning at 4am, picking our way up the ‘Tacul’ fun was not the prevalent emotion!
However, after a cold hard climb our efforts were rewarded by great views over the Alps,
Ex-AlpineSerpent
Capt Jalshan Mahan
Ex-Alpine Serpent was a 7 man expedition from 16 Close Support Medical Regiment in the French Alps. The aims were to introduce novices to Alpine mountaineering and to climb Mt. Blanc. The highest point in Western Europe at 4807m. The team was made up of a mix of officers and soldiers from the unit, including a representative from our TA squadron 144. The Ex started early one Monday morning in the age-old tradition of Army ventures, with a cookhouse fry up.
Good for the spirit if not the heart’ was the
general medical opinion. We then travelled to Gatwick to meet up with our guide Mac Mackay. Mac was an ex PT Corps mountain instructor and now works as a civilian guide around the world.
After a short flight to Geneva and a few hours on a coach, we suddenly found ourselves in the midst of the Alps. ‘They’re a bit big, aren’t they?’ was a sentiment expressed by one of our would be alpinists, and echoed by the rest of the group. We spent the rest of the evening settling into our hostels and preparing for the next day. The following found us on the Mer de Glace, a glacier used for training. Mac soon put us through paces, revising rope work and winter mountain