Page 11 - LBV 2023

Ex SWEDEN BLUE
Over a period of two weeks, spanning from the 31st July to the 14th August, nine individuals from the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps attempted to walk the northernmost half of the famous ‘King’s Trail’ or ‘Kungsleden’ in Sweden. Covering approximately 245 km and crossing some of the most challenging
terrain that Sweden has to offer, the Kungsleden is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful and difficult hiking trails in Europe. Although the group ended up being hamstrung
in our trekking by bad weather and injury, the team spirit that was forged throughout the trip, and the opportunity to experience Swedish culture certainly made it worthwhile. Whether it was enjoying the countless interesting family stories from OCdt Bailey on the trail, or OCdt Gedney’s novel idea of a ‘sauna beer’, the jokes, conversations, and most of all the challenges that the group experienced together made this trip worthwhile and valuable for all involved.
The first challenge that the group faced together arose in trying to get to the trail itself, let alone in walking it. The 56-hour journey across the Arctic Circle, taken via the famously cramp-inducing mode of transport of the combi-van involved large amounts of snoring, singing and inventing, as the Officer Cadets attempted to find more and more ways to amuse themselves over the course of the three days (although OCdt Nevin’s cricketing abilities were famously underappreciated by the drivers).
After this enormous journey, the group disembarked at Kvikkjokk, ready to start the first leg north on the Kungsleden.
It was at this point that we were faced with our second challenge of the trip: the weather. From the moment we set foot on the trail for the next 48 hours we
were faced with unrelenting torrential rain. It was in this rain we found out a number of things. Firstly, nothing, no matter how thoroughly advertised, is waterproof for long in Sweden. Secondly, as SUO Wilkinson demonstrated so
ably throughout the trip, roots and
rocks can often be slippery when wet, and can leave one admiring the sky
from the comfort of their rucksack.
The rain further illustrated to us that,
as JUO Allen discovered, a Vango tent has an incredible capacity to carry
water, often leading to the blurring of
the line between tent and swimming pool. However, most importantly, we discovered that no matter the weather, maintaining high morale and a stiff upper lip allowed us to keep going no matter the circumstances.
On day 4 of our journey, our resilience was rewarded with a short stop in paradise, that took the form of a sunny arctic oasis in the mountains of Sweden. Here OCdts celebrated with a ration pack, whilst Gedney, Gour and Nevin engaged in some time-honoured
local customs, including replenishing wood stores, drying kit and chatting to the local lady who owned the refuge. Revitalised, the group continued the trail for another two days, meeting local Sami tribespeople, sampling local delicacies, and swimming in (as Nevin described them, ‘not funny cold’) arctic lakes.
As a huge storm rolled in, we were forced to adjust our goals and drop south, setting up camp off the trail. Although this meant that we didn’t complete our route on the Kungsleden, it did allow us to experience highly technical overnighters in gorgeous untamed Swedish national parks.
After ten days in tents and with the promise of real beds, we arrived in Stockholm in high spirits for a period
of R and R and cultural exploration. Here, the OCdts met up with students at the Swedish Military Academy Karlberg, through a previous connection established by JUO Allen on an OTC exchange in Singapore. It was here
we were lucky enough to be given an informal tour of the academy. Having lunch and sharing conversation gave the cadets a chance to understand
both Swedish culture and military organisation, whilst also creating links that will hopefully persist and bear fruit again in the future.
To conclude, the trip to Sweden, whilst not explicitly completing the Kungsleden, was truly successful in giving Officer Cadets a challenging and exciting experience that will be treasured for a long time by all. All the Cadets would
like to extend their absolute gratitude
to members of the Ulysses trust, along with Maj Bevin, Capt Loades-Bannon and WO2 Taylor for their critical roles
on the trip. It is with their help that the Officer Cadets had an incredible trip, that was truly fun, fulfilling, and engendered personal growth in all.
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 11