Page 89 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Exercise White Lion Sahara Desert for a three day walk across skies all around us; the view was amazing.
the western half before being transported Toubkal sits at 4,167 metres high; that
Since returning from Cyprus I then had back to Marrakesh and our flight home. moment will be remembered for the rest of
a couple of weeks leave before going out We were accompanied during the trip by my life.
to Austria to take part in the AGC Ski the Moroccan Army and Gendarmerie with
Championships. First time ever skiing Jamal acting as our translator for those of The next three days were then spent
and fortunate enough to not break a us who couldn’t speak French or Arabic. descending the mountains and making
leg; thoroughly enjoyable and I would The first few days and nights were a steady our way back to our starting point at a
recommend this to anyone. climb slowly towards the base camp that ski-resort. Once back we were then loaded
rests at the foot of the peak. Sharing a tent onto busses and driven out to the desert
with a mate, Nabin Gurung, we realised on the other side of the mountain range.
Exercise Northern Toubkal we had made the mistake of packing I have never felt heat like the desert and I
jungle sleeping bags which would prove would not wish it on anyone. For a Scottish
In April, I was setting off again, this time not to be as suitable for the mountain bloke in the middle of the desert, it was
to Morocco with the 2 Signal Regiment to phase of the expedition as they would hell, never have I appreciated the rain
climb the highest peak in North Africa, for the desert phase, resulting in our tent more. After trekking about 20 or so miles
Mount Toubkal. This was an expedition being nicknamed ‘The Jungle Book Tent’. over two and a half days we were ready to
that was spread over 14 days in the Atlas Whilst ascending through the mountains go back home. My fondest memory of the
Mountains south of Marrakesh. the days got hotter and the nights got whole expedition will be sitting on a sand
This trip was the first time I had ever colder and we were sleeping fully dressed dune at sunset listening to Coldplay’s - A
left Europe and we set off late at night by the time we got the base camp at 3,000 Sky Full of Stars.
for an early morning flight. Landing in metres.
Marrakesh we had pre-arranged transport We parted ways with the Moroccan’s and
waiting to take us to our hotel where we Once at the base camp we prepared to were on our way home. My first year has
would be staying and meeting our guide climb the mountain’s peak the following been excellent and the future still holds
for the next 12 days. Our guides name day. Although quite well covered in snow, many adventures. Our detachment has
was Jamal along with his colleague the weather was perfect to be able to climb plans for Gibraltar and I hope to be going
Hassan, who would be our chef during the to the top. It took us just under two hours to the United States and other locations
expedition. to reach the peak a thousand metres above next year. “See the world!” they said at
us with some gradients being rather hard the recruitment centre. I didn’t think they
The expedition was to take seven days to walk on four legs never mind two. The meant so soon.
in the mountains and then move to the peak made it all worthwhile, with clear

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