Page 118 - Mind, Body and Spirit Online Edition

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JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING RIPON

Sgt (SI) D Arkless RAPTC

I
departed the sunny delights of CJSATC (Cyprus) after a great
send off and some embarrassing speeches from Sgt (SI) Tony
Hicks RAPTC and reported for duty at a cloudy, wet and cold
JSMTW(R) in Nov 12. So far at Ripon I have been handed some

great opportunities to develop within the AT ield, especially
winter based courses as they were not a high priority requirement
at CJSATC! My irst few weeks in post consisted mainly of
shadowing courses in order to learn about the training venues

and locations for each particular activity; giving me the opportunity
of working with new instructors and gathering ideas from their
various teaching styles.

Prior to my arrival to JSMTW(R) I was advised to load onto basic
caving courses in order to make me more employable, I achieved
the Caving Foundation (CVF) and Single rope techniques (SRT)
courses. These have, surprisingly provided me with a new love
for a different JSAT activity. Since my arrival I have continued to

progress through the caving scheme in an attempt to gain the
Cave Leader (CVL) while exploring on SPANCAVE 13.

Whilst this piece sounds as though it is all about me I have found

that delivering and training students in the colder climate certainly
brings its challenges, but increases the sense of achievement
when the student gains the qualiication at the end of the week.

I look forward to the delights that I will experience during my time
in Ripon but I am eager for the weather to warm up, you could say
acclimatisation hasn’t been a pleasure.
Sgt Arkless sunning it up in Allum Pot

JOINT SERVICE MOUNTAIN TRAINING WING RIPON

Sgt (SI) D McAndrew RAPTC
J
oint Service Mountain Training Wing relies on sound judgement, knowledge,
Ripon (JSMTW (R)), embarked on skills and personal experience is essential.

the Joint Service Mountain Training
Centre (JSMTC) winter staff training The 5 day AAC is packed solid with
week to the Alpine Training Centre information, lectures, tests and skills, a
Bavaria, (ATC) to undertake the very necessary and essential step forward for

irst Advanced Avalanche Course (AAC). the Joint Service Ski and Mountaineering
Over recent years there have been a Scheme. The course requires
number of avalanche incidents involving commitment, hard work, discipline and a
service personal, three RAF personal lot of evening time revision but will hopefully

also lost their lives in a large avalanche in help to create a better understanding of
the Cairngorms this year. Adventurous the dangers that the mountains hold.
Training involves the controlled exposure
to risk in a diverse range of challenging
environments and so it was deemed

prudent to give the JSAT Instructors as
much information as possible in regards
to working in avalanche terrain.

The AAC designed and delivered by SSgt
(SI) Reeves RAPTC and the Mountain
Guides within JSMTC consisted of theory
and practical skills with the emphasis on

safe travel in mountainous terrain, reading
of the snow layers, snow pack analysis
and emergency actions and procedures.

Terrain analysis and the ability to recognise
safe routes through avalanche terrain can
be unpredictable. In a volatile environment
a dynamic and responsive approach that
Sgt McAndrew snow crystal analysis
Sgt McAndrew Probing