Page 36 - 2002 AMA Winter

EXERCISEALPINECHALLENGE-14-18 JULY2001, CHAMONIX, FRANCE JOINT RLCTAADVENTUROUSTRAINING
By Major Lyndsay Wilson TD. 160 Tpt Regt RLC(V)
Team instructors like SSgt's Dave Smith and laterally Tim Bird have a habit of suggesting expedition ideas, producing a potential activity itinerary then saying “over to you boss, for it all to just magically materialise a year later. Having managed a weekend programme of UK based events for the TLC TA under the command of 5 Trg Regt RLC, for some decade or so; there was a need to test the skills and reward the commitment of many aspirant soldier, the French Alps seemed ideal.
Starting an exped on Friday 12th usually bodes ill for most supersti­ tious people, however, 24 enthusiastic mountaineers, some experi­ ences, some complete novices arrived at Grantham without incident bar-one forgotten passport which was collected overnight. The 14th started at 0800 hrs with the sorting, distribution and packing of kit en masse. CO 5 Regt, Lt Col Paul Smith cam to wave us off and dis­ cretely required I endeavour to return with 24 complete personnel. We were soon ready to begin the 18-hour journey to Chamonix, in search of sun, snow and large mountains. At 0700 15th July, bleary- eyed, we arrived on the outskirts of Chamonix. Macdonald’s was shut and it was raining! However, by early afternoon and to the amusement of the existing campers, 12 tents were installed in the never-ending rain on the Les Arolles campsite, with the intention of holding this prime patch until the arrival of JSAM two weeks later. A hearty meal of pizza and pasta was enjoyed by all that evening and spirits rose despite the alpine tops remaining shrouded in mist.
Monday 16th there was hazy sun below 2000m. Regrettably, the first day of winter skills began at 2500m below the Index, in that familiar Scotch mist and fresh snow. Adults quickly became
Mer De Glace. July 2007. L-R LCpI Curne. Maj Wilson, Cpl Dodgson. Pte Horton.
children during ice axe arrest practice, cramponing and rope skills great fun but necessary for the demands of the fortnight ahead, Tuesday 17th the Montenvers train took us up to the "Mer de Glace”, Dave Smith 275 Rly Sqn RLC (V) quickly recorded the train number for his diary as we ascended the height of ‘the Ben’ and a half to the glacier. Croissants and coffee not being on the daily programme we bypassed the cafes and commenced the descent down 50m of precarious steel ladders pinned to a rock face to the glacier. More practical glacial skills roped movement, crevasse rescue and a touch of ice climbing lifted a sunny day in awesome surroundings. Chefs, Sgfs Gary Shearer and Michelle Clarke RLC (V), Cat Sp Regt, created this amazing system of attending the majority of training as MLTs and still, either in rotation or together, managed to prep the most outstanding cuisine for the famished crusaders on our return from the tops. Rain stopped play for the start of the first 3-day exped so rock climbing at Les Thermals 900m lower, out the Chamonix valley, filled the day pro­ ductivity and even encouraged some sunshine laterally. Next day, due to a continuing poor weather forecasted the exped was again delayed and white water rafting bunged in instead of a the end of the exercise. Probably just as well given the aches, bruises and exhaustion experienced by the majority. The fist run proved inter­ esting with the Pirates loosing their guide within 100m and the OC got “Moby Dick”, with Pte Dean (Trev the Bull), diving in to rescue her from the Vader. A day in rubber always gets the pulse going!
Friday 20th July, teams 1 & 2 began their 3-day expedition. Regrettably, for the first day and a half they had thick cloud, but undertook some acclimatisation training before achieving the
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