Page 136 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Exercise physically, but an ideal chance to improve the navigation
skills.
Golden Lion Day Five

White Water Rafting. After a short journey, we were
getting suited up in wet suits and buoyance aids. We then
had another short ride on the bus which took us to the
By Corporal Lauren Carrick-Hilton start point where we were introduced to our instructors.
My raft leader was fortunate enough to have the Boss

On Sunday 9 September 2018, 45 personnel met in Café Anny Pizzeria whose father was the first to water raft down the river we
were going down and had 20 years of experience under
in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Ready for a week of multi-activity his belt. Before we set off we had to jump into the water

adventurous Training. to get used to how cold it was - it was freezing. Before
we knew it, we were off with him showing us techniques

to paddle as a team. Every so often he would shout the
Mountain biking seen from a different perspective famous words of Tachylalia left, this would mean the left

side of the raft would have to duck their heads into the
our bikes and learning a few tricks to help us get some freezing water backwards. This was great fun including

confidence we were off. We had a steady cycle where we kidnapping others members off their rafts and general

could stop and use the local water foundations to fill up tomfoolery.

our water bottles. Having heard of many of the previous Navigate Back
groups about the climb that goes on for miles, team
‘Awesome’ was feeling energised. It feels like you are After the rafting, the plan was to navigate/orienteer
going nowhere when you are in gears 1:1, however, any
higher and the legs wouldn’t go round. Having reached back in the valley, and to everyone’s disappointment this
wasn’t cancelled. We were split into random groups and
the top, the instructors were rather impressed that none set off at five minute intervals. The consensus was that

of our team had got off and walked with the bike. A hard, everyone was very tired from the rafting and the weather
but enjoyable day.
had turned a little worse than the conditions we were
used to for the week. However, in true military fashion,
Golden Lion group Day Four everyone soon found their competitive streak and before
we knew it the competition lit up.
Valley Walking was switched up throughout the week
Arriving in Austria happier. Before exploring the hut we walked through so no route was the same for the groups. We took it in Endnote
the beautiful scenery for a few hours. After a well-earned turns to use the map and compass to get to the top of
We were allocated our apartments in which we would lunch break we were ready to take on rock climbing. For the valley, and as we were walking up we could see the All in all a great experience that I would recommend. The

be living in for the next six days. This would be our home some people, the thought of having to be off the ground paragliders taking off. At the top, we treated ourselves process to applying is simple and hassle free. An amazing
away from home and would be a great chance for each was enough adrenaline. There were many who had done to a drink before heading back down. A much easier day opportunity open to all member of the Corps.
of us to experience one another’s cooking. We were split this before and raced up the rocks with no fear. However,
into our groups with which we would spend the majority I was pretty much dragged up by Stefan the safety guy.
of our time with.
Day Two
Day One
Having had a lovely sleep, we were all ready for the
All the groups rotated through the different activities. next adventure – mountain walking. The terrain is

My group were on rock climbing on the first day; this extremely challenging as there was a need for extreme

included an overnight in a hut up the mountain. I was concentration to ensure you don’t trip over a loose rock
very sceptical about the accommodation we would be or just your own feet. At some parts, you had to stop to
staying in; however, I was pleasantly surprised. The hut take it in otherwise you were just looking at the footsteps
was a dream. Lights out at 2200hrs with no noise until of the person in front. This activity was a brilliant
0600hrs this was a solid eight hours enforced rest which opportunity to chat amongst the group and every time

the hut owners took very seriously. I couldn’t have been we stopped we would all shuffle about which allowed
us to get to know each other. Having climbed to 2,700
feet we could take in the sights while having our packed
lunch. When people say ‘coming down is harder than
going up’, they are correct – the pressure walking down a
mountain 2,700 feet on your knee joints soon reminded
me that we were on Adventurous Training and not a
holiday.
Quiz Night
The Quiz Night was held in the middle of the week. To
describe the quiz questions as interesting would be an
understatement, unless you were born in the 1950s and
know your types of bread.
Day Three
Mountain biking beautiful scenery Mountain biking; for some it felt like the climb on a Ready for rock climbing
certain mountain was never going to end. Having got

136 137