EX IVERNA VENTURE 2022
In April 2022, 7 Rifles ran Exercise Iverna Venture; an alpine skiing adventurous training exercise to Val Thorens, in the French Alps.
For many of our Riflemen this was the first time they would try the sport and training was divided into three qualifications: Ski Foundation 1, which took soldiers from total novice, to safely managing a blue run. Ski Foundation 2, in which more experienced skiers learned avalanche safety and were introduced to ski touring; and ski Foundation 3 which focused on ski touring.
Adventurous training develops soldiers in a way that “green” training never could – fixing planks of wood to your feet, then sliding down any icy mountain, is certainly a way to face your fears. And, for a battalion that spreads from Abingdon to West Ham, this was a fantastic chance to make new friends.
Natural leaders came to the fore, and Riflemen had the chance to experience “mountain life”, from cheese fondue to après ski. Plans are afoot for Iverna Venture 2020, and the battalion hopes to have its own instructor corps before long. Several soldiers have even asked about the infantry ski racing competition, so expect to hear much more from the Chosen Men of the mountain.
