After so long stuck in lockdown, with hardly any in-person training, and having had most of last year’s Adventure Training expeditions and all Easter training cancelled, the Officer Cadets were very keen to get going.
Exercise Dragon Gold 21 took two groups of six Officer Cadets, two instructors and two support crew from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hadrian’s Wall, trekking 120 miles over eight days. Taking part in this expedition also trained the Officer Cadets in basic navigational skills resulting in them all achieving their Summer Mountain Foundation qualification.
Adventure Training is an excellent opportunity for Officer Cadets to develop their leadership, teamwork, and both physical and mental resilience and for some of the Officer Cadets this trip enabled them to experience activities that they wouldn’t have otherwise undertaken themselves. The skills learnt on the expedition have given them the knowledge and confidence to go hiking, camping, and even to plan their own expedition in the future. OCdt Smith said “I had no idea that I would enjoy the walking but would love to do more in the future” and now “I feel more resilient and confident in my summer mountaineering abilities.” OCdt Rickard has said that she is looking forward to advancing her skills by continuing the Mountain Leader Training (MLT) available through the Army.
The expedition was challenging with eight days of walking broken down into five days and then a further three following an admin day. This gave Officer Cadets a chance to sort out their kit, rest, and have further lessons in hiking safety, taking bearings and weather forecasting.
The first day of walking eased the Officer Cadets in with a relatively short route with minimal elevation, the following day was harder with the first half being constantly uphill in the pouring rain. Day six was one of the highlights taking the groups from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Dufton, boasting some of the best sights of the trip from High Force Waterfall to the view down the U-shaped valley at High Cup Nick.
Day eight was the hardest day, the route from Dufton to Garrigill tackled a cumulative total of 1000m of elevation, made even harder by the hot weather. Hiking to the top of Cross Fell (893m, the highest mountain in the Pennines and highest point in England outside the Lake District) was hard work but worth it for the panoramic views across to the Lake District and of the surrounding Pennines. The anticipation of the expedition had given Officer Cadets an increased enthusiasm to work on their physical fitness after so long exercising alone and during the trip many were pleased to feel the benefit of this, despite the steep hills. The Officer Cadets came away saying they felt fitter than when they started and had learned more about their personal endurance having never walked this far before.
All the Officer Cadets relished the opportunity to get outside and socialise in a way that hasn’t been possible during covid. One OCdt said “I enjoyed the expedition because it was nice to do something completely different, especially given how travel and socialising have been restricted over the last year and a half.” They all commented on how they have “made new friends” and “met some great people.” being left with renewed enthusiasm for the next year of training.
Many thanks to the Ulysses Trust who have made this expedition possible and supported our Unit to provide this opportunity.
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