Page 15 - LBV 2023

Ex BLUE CZECH
September brought some exciting events for the Cambridge OTC, the annual Cambrian training went ahead selecting a very capable team, followed by the Dragon Czech Blue Adventure Training.
The team championed this event on behalf of the British Army being the first unit to ever send a rock climb expedition here. The Czech Republic became particularly favourable over countries
we have been to before for a number of reasons, the main one primarily being the unique sandstone rock formations. These formations offered a different approach to climbing due to the laws of climbing on Czech sandstone and tested our technical abilities. This not only presented itself as a new challenge for the intermediate climbers among us but
also to the instructors, which is unique for AT and made it valuable experience for every member.
OCdts had the opportunity at the Ostrov Rocks (Eiland Rocks), a beautiful area surrounding the small village
of Ostrov. The first day the reality of climbing on a different type of rock
set in as many of the grades we were accustomed to climbing became far more difficult. However, OCdt’s quickly regained their confidence and smashed a 50m climb overlooking the village.
Due to the climbing laws prohibiting us from climbing on wet rock, rainy days led to both interesting and poignant cultural visits. OCdt’s were able to visit Terezin, a former fortress and garrison town built
in the late 1700s. The fortress was mainly
notable for imprisoning Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassin during the first world war and for housing a large concentration camp during the second world war.
The following day brought a hike to the Pravcicka Gate, Europe’s largest natural sandstone arch. The trek allowed us to see the devastation left by the previous years forest fires and how natural disasters not only affect the environment but how it could impact future AT expeditions.
Overall, this maiden expedition was a great success and will hopefully lead to further trips to the Czech Republic due to its fantastic AT opportunities that extend far past just rock climbing.
‘It’s a doggy dog world!’
JUO T LLewllyn
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 15