Page 7 - LBV 2023

Ex Calpe Blue
Following a successful trip last year, 17 OCdts from Cambridge UOTC had the opportunity to take a break from their studies and head out to Spain to enjoy a week of climbing in the sun, alongside 7 members of staff.
Loaded up with all the bags and climbing kit, the Advance Party set off on their long journey to Calpe on Saturday morning, arriving at our accommodation the following day prior to everyone else’s arrival on Monday. We quickly broke down into our different groups – 6 officer cadets would get the chance to complete their single pitch foundation qualification this week, whilst the rest would be
able to carry out continuation training
to enhance their current logbooks.
Necessary kit distribution and admin instruction promptly followed in order to enable us all to get some climbs under our belts that afternoon and make the most of the time that we had in Spain.
Over the course of the week, all climbers not only had the chance to improve their climbing technique, progressing through the climbs from grades 3 to grade 6, but also their skills as a proficient belayer. 3 officer cadets were also fortunate enough to have the chance to carry out a multi-pitch climb and begin their journeys’ to becoming competent seconds. The climbing and skill required increased throughout the week, pushing us all to our limits not only physically, but also mentally, as
the exposure of the climbs increased. Another skill needed to pass the single pitch foundation is a stacked abseil and so we were all fortunate to have the opportunity to practice our abseiling skills too, providing an alternative challenge towards the end of the week.
Blessed with sun throughout the week, the lovely weather enabled us to get lots of climbs under our belts within the short timeframe and provided some stunning views along the coastline, leaving behind the less-than-ideal wet conditions of the UK for a while.
OCdt Gough
THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER 7