From the 1st – 9th September 2023, 12 Officer Cadets from the Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC), alongside a Ranger from 2nd Royal Irish and 3 Instructors, embarked on Exercise Northern Julische Alpine II (Ex NJA II) – a mountaineering expedition across Triglav National Park, Slovenia. Following the success of a similar expedition the year prior, this expedition aimed to build upon the group’s mountaineering skills, awarding participants the Summer Mountaineering Foundation (SMF) qualification, and allowing them to experience the remarkable culture of Slovenia first-hand. In the process of developing the skills required for Summer Mountaineering Foundation qualification, Officer Cadets would face a varying array of terrain, from impossibly steep trails to paths cut into the side of mountains that were only passable using kletterstieg equipment (harnesses, helmets, gloves and karabiners attached to steel wire hammered into the rock).
After assembling in Newcastle in the early evening of the day before departure, the group travelled to Luton airport for an early morning flight to Ljubljana in Slovenia. Using public transport to reach Triglav National Park, the group split in two – with one beginning with the mountaineering section, and the other beginning with kletterstieg – meeting in the middle and swapping over.
Following public transport delays, the mountaineering group started their segment later than intended. This did not faze them, however – only pushing them on to reach their checkpoint hastily before dusk settled in. The first day quickly offered a surprise awakening to Slovenia’s natural beauty, gifting the Officer Cadets unparalleled views of the surrounding Julishce Alps. Upon reaching their accommodation for the first night, the Officer Cadets were greeted by a quaint, yet homely, mountain hut, where they got their first taste of some authentic Slovenian cuisine. Over the following two days, the group traversed more than 26km, in addition to the gruelling 2100m elevation gain. These long, arduous days challenged the group physically, with heavy packs weighing them down in their attempts to summit steep paths littered with scree. The mental challenge proved as difficult, if not more so, with Officer Cadets testing their capabilities whilst carefully crossing knife-edged ridges, where a high degree of mental fortitude was required to block any doubt or insecurity seeping into their minds over what would happen in the event of even the smallest misstep. Simultaneously, the group was also developing their technical mountaineering skills, including navigation, identifying hazards and emergency procedures, and learning how to predict weather using a variety of information including synoptic charts. These challenges not only developed Officer Cadets personally but also resulted in dedicated team bonds being formed – teaching Officer Cadets how to rely on one another and improve overall unit cohesion.
Once finished on the third day, both groups met at a small mountain hut in the heart of Triglav National Park, and after competitively trading stories of their epic ventures, swapped, ready for their next challenge.
The other half of the expedition’s route was undertaken, using the klettersteig equipment as we climbed higher into the mountains towards Triglav. As the terrain turned from pine forests to rocky outcrops and scree, unwalkable sections of the routes were made accessible with steel bars driven into the stone. These served as handholds that allowed a firmer purchase as we ascended the steeper inclines. For more perilous sections, particularly the summiting of Triglav itself, as well as paths along the sides of cliffs or exposed and narrow walkways the bars acted as anchor points for lengths of steel cable, which lined the route and allowed climbers to hook themselves on, as per the brief we had received in Newcastle, and provide safety if one should fall.
The klettersteig sections of the expedition marked the most physically demanding parts of the expedition because of the burden of our packs as well as the increasingly arduous climb. Nevertheless, both groups, through their expert leaders and the ever-strengthening bond the AT formed, pushed themselves through the physical trial, nor did any participant show any sign of wanting to quit due to the exertion or fear at the sometimes very precarious terrain. At the same time, gradually decreasing air pressure during the climb, which, although minimal, affected the cadets. The intermittent scrambles and mantling slowly turned into an almost sheer climb as the teams ascended towards the peak. Here, the danger of dislodging rocks on climbers below was magnified, and it displayed the increasing skill of the climbers and sound communication among all members that no incidents occurred. These skills were also greatly important when dealing with other climbers descending on our routes, and effective communication and mountaineering courtesy allowed them to pass the cadets safely. The final ascent to the summit of Mt Triglav peak left every muscle aching, a feeling that was soon overshadowed by the triumph of reaching the summit and the awe of the view. The conditions could not have been better, and as the cadets dropped their packs and rested, the whole of the Julian Alps seemed visible. Having taken group photos by Aljaž tower, the storm shelter on the peak, we began our descent. This process provided its own challenges as balancing became more difficult due to the restricted use of hands, so solid footwork was paramount. The klettersteig sections required a different approach too, hooking on later at each metal rod, so it acted as an anchor when descending a drop.
Following the teams’ descents from the Alps, we reconvened for two cultural days at Lake Bled and Ljubljana. This served not only as a time to recover and relax from our time in the mountains, but also to learn more about the people and history of Slovenia. Lake Bled was as picturesque as rumoured and, overlooked by Bled Castle, many cadets rowed or paddle- boarded to the island from which the spire of the Church of the Mother of God juts up through the trees. Both groups, having reunited, met and discussed with our leaders about our personal takeaways; high and low points, what challenged us and how the experience grew our character. The evening concluded with dinner to share our stories from the mountains and catch up with each other.
The final day of the expedition was spent in Ljubljana. The day served as an opportunity to explore the city with friends. In the afternoon we reunited, several cadets had been tasked with researching the city and Slovenia’s rich history. They delivered a detailed presentation of historical facts and insights into the nation, followed by a walking tour of notable landmarks, including; Dragon bridge, Church of Great Grace, and the alternative sector of Metelkova. One last dinner was had at a traditional restaurant before an early night in preparation for the morning flight back to England and the journey up to Newcastle.
The OCdts had a great experience and drafted short vignettes found below:
“I am an Ocdt at Northumbrian OTC and just wanted to get in touch to say a massive thank you for your generous financial donation which enabled us to go mountaineering in Slovenia earlier in September. I had a brilliant time, and felt as though the trip developed me in a number of ways. Summiting Mt Triglav required climbing along exposed slopes which pushed me out of my comfort zone and required considerable physical and mental resilience to achieve. It is thanks to your financial support that this trip was able to happen, and for that I am immensely grateful.“
Oliver Stott
“I am so grateful to the Ulysses trust for their very generous contribution to our Exercise Northern Julische Alpine II! The trip was absolutely incredible and was truly an experience very few young adults my age would be lucky enough to have. Whilst the trip was challenging, both from physical and mental standpoints, it was also extremely rewarding. Not only have I enhanced my technical mountaineering knowledge throughout the course of the expedition, I also feel I have developed greatly as a person. From leading when navigating our way through Triglav national park to traversing over a sheer drop, my confidence has grown both from a resilience and leadership perspective. I believe these personal qualities I have developed and enhanced throughout the trip will remain with me beyond the expedition, placing me in great stead for another year at university and the challenges that brings. The teamwork displayed and the friendships that developed over our week in Slovenia were extremely special and there was absolute unanimity throughout the whole group that the trip was excellent. Slovenia is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited, and I am extremely grateful that I got to enjoy it at its best in the Summer. Thank you so much!”
Anon
“I found that the whole trip was extremely well organised, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I learnt some new skills, and made some new friends, and importantly also learnt a lot about myself; for that I am very thankful. From a personal standpoint, having struggled with routine and isolation at times this Summer, the expedition was the perfect excuse to guide me back toward a healthier routine, with opportunity for physical regimen and exercise, as well as for peaceful mental reflection. For that I am once again grateful to you and the team. Of course, none of the above would have been possible without the generous donation of the Ulysses Trust, which enabled myself and several other members of the unit to embark on the trip.“
Fin Douglas
