Page 10 - LBV 2023
P. 10
Ex DOLOMITES BLUE
At 3am on the 14th of August, 11 cadets from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre and headed for Ex DOLOMITES BLUE: a two-week rock climbing and via ferrata adventurous training expedition in the Italian alps.
During a week of climbing in the stunning Dolomiti mountain range,
our limits were put to the test as we ventured beyond our comfort zones. The third day once again brought us face to face with the Marmot Rock, where we tackled the demanding routes of Poppi (6b), Edith (6a), and Natalie (6a). These climbs, with their formidable difficulty, forced us to slow down, encouraging us to meticulously consider our technique and hand placements. JUO Whyte’s relentless determination, spending over an hour on a single climb, epitomized the unwavering spirit of our group.
The triumphs achieved on these challenging ascents were particularly rewarding, serving as a testament to our hard work throughout the day. With the Dolomites as our backdrop, the sense of accomplishment was truly profound.
Ex Caledonian Blue
Ex Caledonian Blue saw the first
recent AT to exclusively focus on
open top canoeing, with two separate groups aiming to complete the 90km Great Glen Canoe trail in the Scottish Highlands. After a training day spent
on the lake at the ARC, working on emergency drills and familiarising ourselves with basic paddling, group 1 headed for Fort William ready to start the expedition. Starting at Banavie,
we worked ourselves around the first parts of the Caledonian Canal getting comfortable with working in tandem to each other and slowly attaining a basic proficiency in canoeing. Helped by Capt Hutchings and Sub-Lieutenant Springall from the CURNU, we were quick to pick up the mechanics, making good pace from the start.
Each day saw us wild camp in areas of stunning natural beauty surviving
of ration packs, and by day two we
had managed several portages across numerous locks each of which saw us become more confident with our skills at canoeing. Moving through Loch Lochy to Loch Ness on day three, favourable winds meant we pitched up the sail and easily drifted along the Loch at good speed with minimal effort, earning us
a solid day’s rest. The final day saw us finish off the last section of Loch Ness,
before pulling up at Dores and being picked up by Sgt Latter, who manned our support vehicle the entire week. A welcome break back at the Fort William campsite, and a changeover of groups, saw us ready for the second week of the exercise.
Deciding to complete the journey in reverse due to more preferable winds, group 2 headed off from Fort William back to Dores after a heavy night of downpours which had left most of the tents sodden on the inside after water had managed to seep into the group layer. The first day saw continuous rain all day, with bailing often required to keep water from pooling in and around our feet. However, the weather slowly improved throughout the journey and by day three, reasonably sunny and warm weather had returned, making time spent in camp significantly more comfortable. Winds that often changed very quickly meant that unlike last week, significant stretches of sail under good wind weren’t as available, often meaning a long slog with headwind, however, wherever possible the sail was put up, which all members of the team were by now very familiar to. Entering back into Banavie
on the final day saw group 2 finish the expedition, with a total of 180km paddled, having twice completed the trail.
A special thank you to Capt Hutchings for organising and leading the exped, without which the entire trip wouldn’t have been possible. Not to mention the support from Sgt Latter who made the trip significantly more efficient whilst assisting portages and bringing supplies, as well as Sub-Lieutenant Springall who taught us all useful lessons along the way.
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10 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER