Page 134 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Exercise Tiger Scafell Pike

On the Wednesday morning, we enjoyed a full

Ascent cooked breakfast before heading off to Scafell Pike.
Everything was running smoothly, until we realised

that we had been dropped off at the wrong car
park and had to take a detour. Three miles later we
The Three Peaks arrived at the correct start point; this leg of journey
generating a salvo of sneers and jibes as instructors
blamed drivers, who in turn blamed the organisers.

After finally agreeing to call it a sensible ‘warm-up’,
we set off on the correct route.

Challenge We soon realised how difficult the task ahead

of was. Although not as high, Scafell Pike had a
much steeper incline and the weather was poor.
Visibility was limited to a few metres and the rain
By Corporal Adam Davies was constant. This meant that the stone path was
very slippery and had to be negotiated carefully,
especially as our legs were fatigued from the
Fourteen members from 47th Regiment Royal Artillery took on the challenge previous day.
of climbing the three tallest peaks in the United Kingdom between the 24th The summit We pushed on to reach the summit in good time.
of Ben Nevis
and 28th September 2018. The Corps flag was again unfurled for the obligatory

photo and we forced a smile through the rain that
was lashing at our faces. The descent was very
slippery underfoot and we had to tread carefully.
Half way down we came to the aid of a civilian lady
Travel to Scotland that had fallen and injured her pelvis. We followed
the mountain rescue’s advice of administering some
The trip began with a lengthy ten hour journey pain relief and leaving her with her friends, for the
experts to deal with. We left her a survival bag to
from Larkhill to Fort William. The team stayed keep her warm and made our way down. I think
in a basic, but comfortable hostel in Fort
William that night before rising the following there was both genuine disappointment and relief
that we couldn’t carry her in our folding stretcher.
morning to news of wet and deteriorating
weather conditions. This forecast was quickly After a four hour journey, we reached Capel Curig,
dismissed however, with a hearty breakfast and where two nights of not so luxury accommodation

strong coffee.
awaited us. We were even treated to cold showers
and a transit block with no heating, but at least the
Ben Nevis food was good and a promise that the weather was
improving.
The team set off for the summit of Ben Nevis

in high spirits under dry and mild weather Snowdon
conditions. The wind picked up a few hours
in, as we crossed an exposed ridge forcing Leaving Fort On Thursday, we woke up to glorious sunshine
everybody to stop and put on their warm William which brought an automatic smile and fresh
clothing. Luckily the rain was light so morale impetus to the group. Everyone was keen to get
remained high as we drove on together. The onto Snowdon and complete the last challenge.
weather further deteriorated as we got closer After breakfast, we set off on the short journey to

to the summit with heavier rain and stronger Snowdon. We climbed in blue skies and sunshine
winds. There were even patches of snow at the to fantastic views which got better as we ascended
very top. The drop in temperature and driving the mountain. We reached the summit, relieved
wind made the ascent quite challenging, but that we had passed the final challenge. The sights

everybody worked as a team and helped each were stunning with a clear 360 degree view of North
other along. After a short celebration at the Wales. After the obligatory team photo, we treated
summit, we headed to lower ground, keen to ourselves to a hot drink in the coffee shop before

get out of the wind, but even more desperate to attempting the descent.
avoid the heavier rain that had been forecast.
Coming back down the mountain in the glorious
The whole team completed the climb in sunshine and working up a bit of sweat, a few brave,
six hours and were glad to get the first one or maybe naive individuals decided to strip down

under our belts. It had tested us all and a few to the bare minimum and go for a swim in one of
were feeling cold, wet and slightly sorry for Snowdon’s many icy reservoirs. As inviting as the
themselves. However, these feelings were water looked, no one could bear it for more than a
quickly forgotten when we looked at the sad few seconds.
state of some civilians that had attempted the
climb, completely unprepared wearing jeans That evening, we went out into Betws-y-Coed for a
or even a tracksuit. We then headed South to well deserved meal. This was the first night where

military accommodation at Carlisle Castle, with
Ascending Scafell we didn’t have any substantial travelling and could
Ben Nevis the luxury of steaming hot showers and piping Pike relax and unwind. A fantastic end to a fantastic
radiators to dry our clothes and wet boots. week.

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