Page 132 - AGC_Journal 2018(FINAL)_Neat

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Exercise Gurkha Rock Climbing on

Wasootch Slabs,
Grizzlys Wasootch Creek

By Lance Corporal Biraj Thapa

The exercise was a training expedition to Alberta, Canada, over the period
17 – 27 August 2018. The aim was to foster camaraderie in the Company,
whilst promoting adventurous training qualifi cations.

enjoy the benefi t; develop our military skills,
fi tness, lose fears and build confi dence through
it. After participating in Exercise Gurkha Grizzlys,
Descending from McConnell I am assured that it surely helps individuals
Ridge Viewpoint onto Prairie develop their personality which will aid them
View Trail, Kananaskis Country to be better persons in life. It is a benefi cial
opportunity to get out of your routine desk job,
foster team bonding, enjoy the beauty of nature
Group picture before and get your mind refreshed, whilst fulfi lling its
starting on Lakeshore
Trail, Lake Louise core objectives. Lastly, it enhances your potential
and renders you a sense of achievement.

experiences and challenges. In addition to usual activities Generous Support
of Mountaineering, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking,
we took on White Water Rafting and Horse-trail Riding. It It was a huge undertaking on the Expedition
was a diff erent experience, yet hugely exciting, doing the Leader’s part, in that he had to grapple with
latter two activities. the challenges of bringing together all 13
participants from various locations of the
Service Support country, from Glasgow in the north to Kent
in the south, thereby requiring intermediate
In Canada, we were based at Trails End Camp, which is a funding approval from their respective higher
sub-unit of British Army Training Unit Suffi eld, located 60 formations and fi nally, Headquarters Field Army.
km west of Calgary and 80 km east of Canmore. The camp A number of Non-Public Fund sources, such as
staff was very welcoming and greatly supportive of our Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas and Berlin
training throughout --- huge thank you to all the members Infantry Brigade Memorial Trust Fund, were
Rafting on Kananaskis of staff . very supportive too. Regimental Headquarters
River, Bow Valley Adjutant General’s Corps, had been very
Provincial Park
The Training generous in providing us an Adventurous
Training Grant towards the cost of the expedition
Something Rare During the seven days of arduous and demanding training, --- we would like to express our sincere thanks to
I have been able to boost up my self-confi dence, develop all the above organisations for their support.
Although my service in the Army has been only a little skills like teamwork, leadership, navigation, etc, that
over two years, I could assert that the opportunity to do helped me fi ght the fright. Adventurous training could be Mountain Biking on Editor’s Note: Lance Corporal Biraj Thapa is
adventurous training in Alberta, Canada, rarely comes by: a bit risky, but if done following safe practices, it has a lot Montane Traverse, serving with Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction
it is a diff erent terrain and landscape to that of the United to off er. It has a number of physical and mental health Canmore Corps.
Kingdom, providing us an opportunity to try out new benefi ts. Personal well-being in the Army --- we can easily

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