Page 140 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Exercise

Bavarian Torch

By Captain Pete Tayler

Klettersteig consists of, with the assistance
of two short lines and carabiners,
ascending portions of a mountain along
a convenient network of steel cables and
rungs fastened to the rock. It provides
a rapid and efficient way of getting
up into the mountain and the group’s
tiring forearms were soon offset by the
stunning views over the valley and the
impressive sheer drops below the route.
Upon reaching the summit, the two groups
exchanged equipment, and those who had
On Sunday 26 June 2016, completed the initial ascent on foot set
ten officers from Educational off for some Klettersteig whilst the others
traversed the mountain ridge on foot. The
and Training Services (North) two groups met up later and completed the
and four guests from around lengthy walk down, thoroughly impressed

the Army gathered for a week with the first day of the exercise.
of multi-activity adventure
training in Wertach, Bavaria.

way up the steeper hills. Highlights of the
Departure day were the great exercise and stunning
scenery. A road closure and subsequent
detour over a very steep mountain ridge
Although lengthy, the drive out was briefly risked mutiny from the other
uneventful and the group arrived at our group, but the sight of hundreds of metres
accommodation, Drei Mullen Lodge in of downhill riding back to the lodge on
Wertach, just in time for dinner.
smooth tarmac soon put an end to any
frustrations.
Introduction to Klettersteig
Hang Tough
On Tuesday the group collected the
Klettersteig equipment from the lodge’s The weather forecast for the next day was
impressive equipment loan stores before dire and would have made the planned
heading for Unterjoch. Once there, after activity of outdoor climbing too dangerous,
gliding serenely over the lower slopes of so the decision was made to make use of
the mountain on a chair lift, we began a local indoor climbing centre instead.
the ascent on foot. Around half way to the Naturally, upon our arrival at the climbing
summit the group split in two, with half of Mountain Biking centre, the storm cleared and was replaced
the party continuing up the slope on foot The second day of activity saw the group by searing sunshine, but we soldiered on.
whilst the remainder were introduced to split in half for a day of mountain biking. Al Topping and Joe Dickens showed the
their Klettersteig kit and the basics of the After collecting the bikes, the two ability group the ropes along with the rest of the
sport by the instructors groups soon became intimately familiar equipment and the techniques required to
with the extremely mountainous nature scale the numerous routes on offer. With
Klettersteig (Via Ferrata) of Bavaria’s terrain. Very soon, everyone grip strength failing after several hours
ended up working their way down through of practice, a brief climbing competition
Known throughout non-German speaking the gears to use the much-stigmatised saw Dave Donnelly crowned king of the
parts of the world as Via Ferrata, bottom ‘granny cog’, and grinding their clingers.

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