Page 129 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Exercise Going up

Dragon Troll 18 through the
treeline

By Corporal Kit Calvert

Exercise Dragon Troll 18 expedition took place in the Lyngen Alps area of
arctic Norway. We were warned beforehand it wouldn’t be the normal ski
jolly to the French Alps and there would be no ski lifts and absolutely no
hot chocolate.

Norway Safety

Our party flew to Oslo and we overnighted in Tromsø, Safety was paramount; we were fortunate to have two
which gave everyone the opportunity to go into Tromsø great instructors with vast experience and previous
out for a quick sight-see, and for those new to Norway skiing experience in the area. They carefully planned
an opportunity to experience Norwegian prices. The the summits each day depending on the weather and
Norwegian weather certainly didn’t disappoint, and avalanche forecasts. Even still we carried satellite radios,
there was snow on the ground all the way to the transceivers, avalanche probes, shovels etc. We spent
harbour’s edge. A good indication of the conditions for time each day practising with the kit, hiding day sacks

the week ahead. The views of the Lyngen Alps on the and then using the transceiver to find them, digging
drive to Lynseidet gave us a good idea of the sort of snow shelters and avoiding any routes that looked like
terrain that we would be tackling throughout the week. they had any potential for avalanches.
The scenery was pure Lyngen; a hybrid of the Alps and
Scotland at its best. Sea to Summit
Leading the
The Hard Bit Once we had arrived at our chosen location, done a kit group up with
a fjord in the
and transceiver check we started the steady climb up.

The exercise was to consist of travelling to a different Most days we did a sea to summit hike. Started at the background
summit each day. Ski to the top, enjoy the view and ski shore of fjord we would go up summits usually over 1,000
down. Obviously skiing up was the hard bit. The skis we metres. We would take it in turns to lead the group. The
used were larger than the normal piste skis, the greater leader would have the task of selecting the best route over, all the other days we had perfect views over the where we were staying I was delighted. I am not so sure
area meaning we would hopefully stay on top of the whilst carving out a track that was easier to follow than fjords and mountains without another soul, road or the neighbours appreciated me excitedly shouting that
snow. To stop us sliding back down we added ‘skins’ to fresh snow. Going uphill through the snow was not easy building in site. the Northern Lights were out, but those who dragged
the base of our skis. This extra layer provided the friction work. It usually took over four hours to reach the summit. themselves out of bed to witness it did.
to help us go up. When the angle of the slope proved too Despite the cold temperatures we would reach the top The Fun Bit
much for these we added crampons. in just tee shirts and dripping with sweat. But the views
at the top never disappointed. Only once was it clouded After fighting gravity up the slopes, we all appreciated

the chance to take off the skins, adjust our skis and poles
and have gravity on our side for the way down. Being so
far from the tourist crowd we often had pure untouched
snow all to ourselves on the way down. The only problem
is after the trek up our legs were usually like jelly and
certainly not fresh for the descent. There were also no
marked routes down so we had to use our best guesses
for route selection. Once in the tree line we usually had
some comical moments as one of us failed to avoid a tree

in time as we tried to find the easiest way down. Still we Panoramic
would be back to the vehicles in no time, making short view
work of what took us hours to climb. We would then
catch the ferry back to the chalet for a debrief, team meal
and good night’s rest.
Bucket List Tick

A personal highlight for me was seeing the Aurora or
Northern Lights from our balcony. It’s been a long time
personal ambition of mine to see the Northern Lights.
Even during a two year posting to Canada, waking up in
the middle of the night several times to be disappointed, The team going up an incline with
I had only ever seen a faint green tinge in the sky. So the Artic Sea in the background
The team when they briefly came out over the lake opposite to

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