DRAGON CALPE BLUE Cambridge UOTC Ulysses Trust Grant Id 02835
On the 13th February 2022, Officer Cadets from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps returned to Cambridge from a field exercise in Thetford. Tired from the weekend’s activity we were now sat in the mess awaiting a brief on the week that was to come.
Once briefed on timings, locations and on the different covid forms that had to be completed, we were then assigned a helmet, climbing harness, carabiner, belay device, climbing shoes and a chalk bag. All the rope and group kit which was essential for the trip had to be packed in all our bags. This was our first challenge, we had to communicate, negotiate, and work as a team to ensure that that we could all fit the required kit in our luggage, this meant that some of us had to decide to not pack certain items of personal kit which just weren’t necessary. Once the problem was solved and the kit was packed, we left for Stansted at 4 am, ready for our flight to Spain at 11 am.
We arrived in Alicante, Spain on the 14th February at 1:30 pm, we then drove to Calpe and arrived at the villa at 3 pm. A group of officer cadets then went off to the supermarket to purchase supplies for the week. This was an important task as we had to ensure we had enough food for the physical challenges that lay ahead. Two officer cadets each day would prepare the evening meal this gave officer cadets a chance to be creative and learn some vital life lessons. We had to complete the shopping for the meals, catering to dietary requirements and making sure we could feed 13 very hungry people.
Each day we would wake at 7 am, eat breakfast and be briefed on the climb ahead and then leave for the day of climbing at 9 am.
6 Officer cadets from our September intake were selected to complete the RSF (Rock Climbing Single Pitch Foundation) course and the majority of these officer cadets had never climbed before.
The other 4 officer cadets were selected so they could develop and improve their current climbing skills allowing them to attend leader/supervisor courses in the future, meaning officer cadets could potentially lead expeditions.
Climbing:
The first day of climbing was spent at the Serria de Toix- Toix Oeste area. Several climbs were set up which included the Bella Ruta, Ocho Fix, Hamana, and Uroma, all these routes were graded 3-4.
The second day of climbing was spent at the Vall de Gaudar (Echo Valley). The different climbs included Flake Drum, Bitcon and Aero, these were all graded either 4- 4+.
The third day of climbing was located at the Serria de Toix- Toix Far Oeste area where we practised kit placement, vectors, dummy lower offs and practised protected abseils. We then climbed on routes La Roja Quato, Barnnard, Senor Jones and Eve, these were all graded 3 or 4.
The fourth day of climbing occurred at Vall de Gaudar (Echo Valley). We climbed the routes shield, Fat boy, Live wire and Pro wire and we also completed a stacked abseil.
The final day of climbing occurred at an indoor wall in the UK as it was a requirement of the RSF course. For Officer cadets on the RSF, they were able to practise lead climbing and try Auto-belays. All Officer cadets were able to develop through climbing indoors by trying more challenging routes.
The goal of this trip was to complete an overseas adventure training package that would develop leadership, teamwork, personal growth, and mental resilience.
The impact of this trip
Communication
This trip has allowed officer cadets to develop their communication skills through climbing. When belaying officer cadets were responsible for the safety of the climber. They had to concentrate and be completely focused on the climber ensuring they had enough rope/slack so they could still climb but also maintain the correct technique so if the climber came off they would not fall as the officer cadet belaying would hold them safely in position. This development of communication allowed officer cadets to progress into participating in some introduction to lead climbing. This meant they were responsible for giving and taking in rope, ensuring they gave slack at the right points but still were safe and could still ensure the climber wouldn’t fall a great distance.
Trust
All officer cadets had to learn to trust each other and trust the kit they were using. Some officer cadets didn’t know each other that well before starting this course. This trip was a really good way of learning about each other, reading body language and being compassionate. This meant that if someone was struggling or nervous, they were able to reassure them, as they’d built that trust. On the 1st day of climbing, it was a good refresher on the different knots and the different types of kit. For the 6 completing the climbing foundation some of this knowledge and equipment was completely new to them, so they had to learn to trust the instruction, trust the kit and trust themselves and others. On the 3rd day of climbing, officer cadets were shown the different types of gear that held the rope in place. This gave officer cadets a new perspective on climbing and helped improve their climbing knowledge.
Exposure to risk
All officer cadets were exposed to some form of risk. If it was through their first single pitch climb on day 1, or if it was their first self-assisted abseil on day 4 for some it may have been their first-time trying lead climbing. All officer cadets were pushed to their limits and found something about themselves on this trip. If it was their ability to deal with heights, being able to trust others, or if it was trying a completely new activity with no previous experience.
Confidence
All Officer cadets improved their climbing throughout the week, we all became more confident in our abilities, more confident in the kit we were using and the risks we could safely take. We transitioned from being nervous, slow, and apprehensive to becoming surefooted and ready for the challenge. On the final day in Spain officer cadets performed a self-assisted abseil, battling any fear of heights and being solely responsible for their speed and taking a leap of faith by trusting ourselves and the equipment.
Community, unity, and teamwork
We all had to work as a team, if it was sorting out our kit at the start of the expedition or if it was belaying or making sure each other’s kit was safe. We all had to demonstrate our ability to operate as one and to ensure that each member of our team was safe and briefed to the task. Each officer cadet had to be part of a community and show unity. When things got tough, we had to be there for each other whether it was through the highs and the lows and the stresses and the strains we all came together. Having to cook meals for each other illustrated that sense of community as we all had to come together so we had a decent meal on the table each night and we had to ensure the villa and especially the kitchen was clean.
Fun
This was the first overseas expedition in two years that the CUOTC has been able to carry out because of covid. This was the first time that some officer cadets have been on an overseas expedition with the unit and been able to go abroad since the pandemic. Therefore, this trip enabled officer cadets to enjoy and explore the outdoors and learn new skills in stunning locations. This trip was incredibly important as it enabled officer cadets to do something different after a challenging year of social distancing and lockdowns.
Flexibility and Problem solving
Climbing is all about problem solving, you’re given a route that gives you a rough idea of where you’re going but it’s on you to decide where you put your hands and feet. You must be calm and clear-headed and think logically rather than in an emotional way. All officer cadets as they progressed started thinking more logically and calmly about where they were putting their feet and their hands.
Personal Development
Officers cadets on the climbing foundation course received a qualification. This means as they progress to gaining more qualifications such as supervisor or mountain leader through doing more climbs and starting a logbook. Furthermore, all officer cadets were briefed on how to get on other courses so they can develop. This trip has given officer cadets more confidence in climbing so in the future they may be able to lead expeditions
Leadership
This trip has given all officer cadets the skills to become great leaders, it’s their choice to whether they go on to develop them further.
Quotes from officer cadets
Despite being a senior officer cadet, this was my first dedicated climbing trip with the OTC. This trip was a brilliant example of the fact that there are always new and exciting ways to challenge yourself and develop new passions in the OTC, even after spending three years here. I look forward to more opportunities to develop my climbing or learn new skills before moving on.
Senior Officer Cadet
Rock climbing isn’t within my comfort zone, so I went on the trip to push myself and develop my leadership whilst I was greatly uncomfortable. This trip developed my leadership by placing responsibility for myself and others in a different environment. Over the week I was able to grow more comfortable when climbing and remain calm when adversity presented itself. The responsibility placed upon me during the skill sessions as part of the qualification curriculum also helped me increase confidence in myself and others around me, this stretched to actively climbing where communication between the climber and belayer was key. The trip was never monotonous or dull, engaging myself and others consistently. If I had not participated, I do not believe I could have grown to the confidence needed to pass AOSB briefing or learn how I could improve on my leadership style as much as I have.
Junior Officer Cadet
Rock climbing in Spain has been one of the greatest opportunities to develop my leadership skills. Learning to lead climb, building trust with my teammates, and having the confidence to communicate clearly are some of the key achievements. In addition, this AT package enabled me to progress massively on the rocks, through climbing on unique terrain and in fortunate weather that allowed us to spend longer days ‘learning the ropes’- pun intended. This AT package has allowed me to develop and progress in rock climbing, as well as develop skills such as confidence, leadership, and trustworthiness that I can take further with my degree and on exercise with the OTC. Thank you for this incredible opportunity.
Junior Officer Cadet
During my time climbing in Spain my confidence and trust in the people I was around and the equipment I was using grew exponentially. People who only a couple of days prior had just been faces in a crowd on exercise I now trusted with belaying me. Belaying is one of the safety measures to prevent falling if the climber slips. This did happen more than once but each time I was reassured knowing that I was safe. This was due to everyone being taught the correct techniques and being solely focused on the climber they were belaying.
Junior Officer Cadet
