Dorset ACF are back from the Dolomites after an incredibly successful expedition. The cadets threw themselves into all the challenges the Dolomites have to offer, which, combined with a carefully selected and very experienced instructional team resulted in a truly memorable week.
The poor unfortunates who were the advance party left Dorchester at 0800 hrs on 16 Aug facing two days in a minibus, with a combination of eclectic music and vibrant conversation, the two days passed, with an overnight stop in Koblenz.
The advance party consisting of the Exped leader, two Regular Army instructors and CFAV Lt Owens arrived at Camping Olympia at 1700 hrs on 17 Aug, met up with the EUOTC advance party and set about setting up camp. The weather forecast was exceptional with temps (up in the mountains) in the middle 20’s and a reassuringly low risk of thunderstorms.
On 18 Aug the instructors headed out to recce the areas to be used and the admin party continued setting up the lavish catering facilities. On 19 Aug a second day of recces was completed, and Lt Owens went to Venice Airport to collect 8 very excited cadets and 3 equally excited CFAVs. They arrived at the campsite at 1300 hrs after an eye wateringly early start and were given the campsite brief then some down time to sort themselves out. On the return of the instructors from the recces the cadets were given a full brief on the week and issued their technical equipment. The CFAVs then got together and sorted out three groups, each of 3 cadets and 1 CFAV. Despite high levels of excitement, the early start took its toll and by 2200 hrs it was a very quiet campsite.
20 Aug dawned bright and clear, the cadets took full advantage of the full English and sorted out their packed lunches. And off we went!
The more experienced group did a combination of two via ferrata routes finishing on the spectacular summit of Mount Averau. The middle group headed for Cinque Torre for a refresher on basic climbing skills and an intro to the skulls required for multi pitch climbing. The third group went to the Hexenstien single pitch crag and covered climbing basics and got some miles on single pitch climbs, they also got to visit the very interesting WW1 museum.
That evening the instructors got together and all agreed that the cadets were determined, enthusiastic and picked up the many new skills very quickly. For the instructors this was their first time working with Army Cadets, although, interestingly most were ex-cadets!
21 Aug dawned bright and clear (there is a pattern emerging here, the weather will not be mentioned again as it did not change). The groups rotated with everyone doing some single pitch climbing or getting the skills needed for multi pitch climbing. Some doing their first multi pitch climb, with a spectacular abseil descent.
22 Aug – All those who had not done a via ferrata did the steady, but spectacular Waterfall Route which negotiates a gorge complex just to the north of Cortina. The other cadets went to Cinque Torre and did multi pitch climbing. This then completed the first 3-day rotation and gave the instructors all the information they needed to plan some adventures for the second 3 days!
23 Aug. Two groups had acquitted themselves well on the via ferratas so went off to do the long, challenging and spectacular Truppen Alpini and stormed up it in great style. From the top, the group walked to the top of Lagazuoi for spectacular views and refreshments at a mountain refuge. Those with some energy left took the Grade 1 via ferrata back down through the amazing WW1 tunnels. Those who were quite reasonably sated, got the ski lift down. The other group continued to develop their climbing skills.
24 Aug. The group that climbed yesterday went out and did their second via ferrata, a new Grade 2 route on the Hexenstien that ends with a great opportunity to explore the preserved WW1 tunnels. For the other 2 groups, it was mountain multi pitch day. One group did the classic Via Normal, a quality 5 pitch route on the Kline Falzarego Turn. This also allowed the students to experience a proper mountaineering descent, with abseils and lowers. The other group did the 10 pitch Spigolo Alpini on Piramide di Col dei Bos which is a great route and a great experience. The day was topped off by the whole team going out for a well-deserved pizza.
25 Aug. This was effectively a half day as some admin had to be done before the cadets departed the next day. So the whole group headed to the Landro single pitch crag which is ideal for introducing lead climbing. It is a credit to the group and shows how far they had come that 6 of the cadets and all of the CFAVs did their first lead climb. Then it was into Cortina for ice-creams and then back to the campsite to get kit handed in and personal kit packed up.
26 Aug. Back to the airport for the cadets for their flight back to the UK, just leaving the Rear Party to contemplate 2 more days in a minibus.
It was an amazing week with the instructors blown away by what the cadets had achieved. From close to zero climbing to long hard via ferratas, long multi pitch routes and lead climbing. A big thank you to my mates for coming to instruct and particularly to WO2 Corefield and the EUOTC team for all their support. Special mention to the Chefs, the food was almost as memorable as the climbing! For the Unit this was very important as it has not done any ambitious overseas AT for a number of years and with COVID restrictions all ambitious training stopped. So this has been a big part of re-launching training, particularly overseas and Also showing to all members of the unit just what is possible. This Exped will give the Cadets something to aspire to as they progress through their time in the ACF.
Again, thank you for your support and I will be in touch about next year!
A comment from a participant:
“I come from a less fortunate family, and we’ve never had a lot of money for holidays and practicing sports we liked, but when the opportunity came for a trip to Italy for low cost to do one of my favourite sports I couldn’t pass it up. I was very nervous to even leave the country without my family and especially to fly for the first time but it was such an incredible experience. I threw myself into every challenge and disregarded all my worry, it made me think I was invincible. I was so proud of myself and what I had been doing and I was amazed that I had the physical and emotional strength to fight through some of the biggest heights I’d ever climbed in such temperatures and altitudes. I learned a ton of new skills like the correct way to belay and multi-pitch climb and even how to lead climb. It helped work on my personal challenges and become a stronger person.
“Everyone has been super friendly and always willing to help and it was such a breath taking experience to do with all my friends. I thought the challenges were perfect and I loved how every day was a different challenge that helped bring out different aspects of perseverance within the group.
“I believe it will help me a lot moving forward as I will be able to look back and tell myself that if I can climb that high, if I can trust my friends that much, if I can accomplish those things then I can push myself that little bit harder to reach a little bit further. Seeing how close everyone became and how much of a family we developed into was amazing to watch, knowing that it will last beyond that time and into the rest of our lives. Being there brought out something that none of us even knew we had and it was amazing to share the opportunity I never thought I would have been fortunate to have. If I was asked to do it again I would say 1000% any day.”
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of Army Sport for supporting this expedition britisharmysport.com
