Ex TIGER WINTER INTRO was a winter mountaineering exercise for members of Regional Command Headquarters. The unique challenge of the exercise involved making Adventurous Training accessible and worthwhile for a group of ‘more-mature’ service personnel, who still had the urge to be stretched and challenged, but without the intensity of demanding physical activity associated with much younger training audiences.
The Scottish Highlands provide a rugged backdrop to all outdoor activities, but during the winter months, the snatched glimpses of mountain vistas through atmospheric cloud, makes the setting a world apart from the military camp at Aldershot. The first day was spent developing new skills in the mountains around Glencoe; learning to trust unfamiliar pieces of equipment, such as ice axes and crampons and look out for each other in an unforgiving environment. By Day 2, newly-acquired skills were pushed in the Cairngorms, with an ascent of a snow gully, working in pairs, safeguarding one another using ropes. The biting wind, snow and hail flurries subsided, giving way to a star-filled sky which made the descent both challenging and exciting. Bad weather on the mountains and a late finish on Day 2 made for an easier start on Day 3, with a short walk around Glenfinnan, discovering the rich history of the Jacobite rebellion (as well as the viaduct’s recent fame in the Harry Potter film!) The remainder of the afternoon was used to discuss teamwork, as part of the Army’s current drive to reflect on everyday working practises and strive to enhance operational effectiveness. The final day of activity made use of a unique indoor ice-climbing venue in Kinlochleven. After some coaching in basic climbing skills and ropework, the team tried their hand at ice climbing, an intensely physical activity, requiring confidence and trust in crampons and ice axes (and the belay skills of your partner!)
The exercise was accommodated in a small, self-contained bunkhouse near Fort William, allowing the team to live together, sharing the everyday duties of life, regardless of rank. It was great to hear that the exercise was deemed to be ‘the best AT’ that LCpl Sheehan had participated in, demonstrating the importance of considering what can be achieved close-to-home and with some small additional funding to ‘add-value’ in key areas. The team are very much looking forward to furthering their winter mountaineering experience.
