Exercise Wyvern Odyssey consisted of two individual Adventure Training exercises Exercise Wyvern Splash and Wyvern Granite, these exercises took place concurrently in the Southwest of England over the latter part of this Summer. Due to the formation of Southwest Officer Training Regiment (SWOTR) these exercises allowed OCdts from what was previously Bristol and Exeter OTCs to come together and experience multifaceted benefits of ALeRT. The conjoining of the two units, along with visiting OCdts from Queen’s Belfast OTC and Oxford OTC, created an exciting environment as OCdts were able to quickly build tight friendships through the challenging and active nature of the training.
EXERCISE WYVERN SPLASH
Exercise Wyvern Splash was the Sea Kayaking component of the Training Package. Seventeen OCdts arrived at EUOTCs home barracks on 25 August to undertake a week’s consolidated training around Devon’s south coast before heading out to the Isles of Scilly for a second week of continued training. Here they put their skills into practice in slightly more testing waters on day trips from the Isle of Martin, all whilst taking in the incredible scenery and wildlife.
The group was split into three smaller groups. Two novice groups who progressed in leaps and bounds achieved their K2F foundation course in week 1 and their S3N intermediate course in week 2. The third, slightly more experienced, group focused on working towards their 4* Kayak Leader qualification, spending the first week consolidating their skills and perfecting rescue drills and then spending much of the second week planning and leading days out on the water in the Isles of Scilly.
Besides building essential kayaking skills such our toolbox of paddle strokes and rescue drills we found our kayaking training immensely helpful in building leadership skills in situations involving risk, where clear direction, planning and procedure were important to get it right. When in charge of a group we would apply the CLAP tool; to ensure we were able to Communicate with our entire group, we had every member in our Line of sight, we had considered how to Avoid any possible dangers and Position ourselves in the place of maximum usefulness. We learnt how this can be applied to many leadership positions and it helped to enhance our effectiveness out on the water.
Personally, I felt my confidence in the boat increase exponentially throughout Exercise Wyvern Splash. Despite having achieved my S3N previously, the sea conditions and coaching pushed me far beyond what I had experienced in my prior three weeks kayaking. Over the two weeks I experienced far larger swell than ever before and was challenged to execute my personal and group rescue drills within it, as well as undertake difficult rock hopping exercises and have my first go at surfing, both in channels in the Isles of Scilly and on Devon’s south coast beaches.
A personal highlight for me was our last day in the Isles of Scilly. I lead a group in circumnavigating the Isle of Martin before we veered off the Northern end to head towards Men-a-Vaur where we kayaked through one of the famous gaps in challenging conditions. We returned via the stunning Round Island only accessible by ladder from the Sea, followed by curious seals, just as we had been all week. It really was an incredible exercise; one which I will not only remember for a long time to come but hopefully retain skills learnt here long into my career in the Forces.
EXERCISE WYVERN GRANITE
OCdt Rosie Brown describes the many challenges and lessons learnt from the South Western OTR on Exercise Wyvern Granite the climbing component of Exercise Wyvern Odyssey held around the Cornwall coastal sea cliffs and Lundy Island.
Towards the end of summer a group of 12 OCdts gathered in Wyvern barracks ready to begin Ex WYVERN GRANITE. 2 weeks of climbing, beginning with Rock Climbing single pitch foundation (RCF) progressing onto multi pitch seconding and gaining multipitch proficiency. Although facilitated and mostly filled by Exeter UOTC due to the recent merger there was Bristol UOTC representation, as well as a miscellaneous cadet from Oxford UOTC who agreed the opportunity was too good to pass up.
The course started in the local area covering local crags, really nailing down the basics of RCF. Hound Tor is the perfect single pitch crag for beginner groups, and the fact that it even features in the mandatory powerpoints made it all the more relevant. The range of experience across the group dictated the initial split. There was a large range of ability from people with a small log book to those who’d not climbed before and aimed to face their personal fear of heights. With good weather and a 2:1 instructor ratio we couldn’t have had a better learning environment. After 3 days we were moving at a breakneck rate and everyone was on a more level playing field. We completed phase one with our first ( but certainly not last) multi pitch climbs of the trip in Dewerstone before getting slightly rained out over the afternoon.
Thankfully the bad weather didn’t follow us down to phase two: Cornwall. Camping in Treza Campsite we were in close proximity to Lands End and more importantly, an excellent range of sea crags. As far as introductions to climbing go, the location of the crags won me over straight away. Sea cliffs embody the unaffected natural landscape, constantly changing, and provide some amazing views from both the bottom and the top. Although climbing was certainly the main event, seeing all the wildlife was also a definite highlight of the trip. All sorts of birds such as cormorants, fulmars and even a peregrine; sheep on the hills and of course plenty of seals. To avoid swamping the small crags we split into two groups for this phase, switching around crags and mostly achieving similar level climbing.
This phase focused on getting more comfortable with seconding (not having the nut-key out permanently) and ironing out climbing calls and terminology (it’s “Rope below ” not “Hello ?!”). Our first day we spent climbing at Trewavas and experienced the realities of finding crags for the first time. You would think it would be easy to find a large sticky out bit of rock, but when you are standing atop it, it’s more deceptive than you think. The climbing at Trewavas was followed the next day by Commando ridge, seeing as we had favourable tides and an ex-marine with us it was a must. Although the 8 pitches of climbing is not technically difficult ( Moderate to Diff) the experience of climbing was a key takeaway from the trip. The view of the Bosigran crag the whole way up, and the vertigo of looking down on the first pitch and just seeing waves really
Following that we climbed at Sennen where we practiced abbing in, as well as bagging our first classic rock route of the Trip. ( Demo Route *** HS) along with a couple of other routes to round out the day. The next day at Pen Olver we had a go at a sport style lead and started building up our knowledge on anchors. We wrapped up the final day of phase two with a rainy drive back to Exeter and a well timed session in the climbing wall to tick off RSF officially. Back in the barracks we had a quick turn around to head out the next morning for what was arguably the most exciting and interesting bit of the trip. Phase three: Lundy
Known as a remote island with a 24 hour pub, Lundy is a renowned destination for sea cliff climbing – adding one more element to consider when planning a day or a route. For the duration of our stay the tide times were in our favor, hitting low mid morning giving us belay stances that were not too wet and above water level.
The tides were even in our favor crossing over on the HMS Oldenburg with relatively low swell and seasickness. We made it onto Lundy unscathed, ready to hit the crags. Once on land our smaller groups split off, with my group making a beeline towards another Classic rock route: The Devils Slide. The 4 pitch slabby climb was a perfect introduction to the island and lent itself well to communication within the groups. For my climbing partner it was the perfect route to tackle their fear of heights due to exposure particularly the traverse in the last pitch.
The next day we climbed some routes on the Needle . Like many climbs on Lundy there was a significant scramble down to either an ab point and although not difficult the terrain was significantly consequential so we were roped up for the way down. The downside of this was that a fast escape from the advancing tide was not on the table. Each group ascended the needle following a different line and then legged it back to the ab rope, trying to avoid loose rocks and sheep on the way back up. Ironically the next day would stack up to be even wetter.
Despite our luck for the first week and a half we were eventually treated to the reality of British weather in the form of a yellow weather warning. Precipitation didn’t start till 11:30 so we managed to get some single pitches at the top of the flying buttress before the rest of the weather moved in. This was my first full trad lead of the trip and so despite the short day still felt accomplished.
Deeming it unwise to climb what had now become the Devil’s waterslide we spent our day practicing technical skills inside one of two communal spaces on the island – the church. Although this slightly hindered the collection of further log book days, this time practicing rigging ourselves to the pews was really valuable. Not only did it facilitate practicing and reinforcing the core skills of multi-pitch climbing but it also highlighted the breakneck speed of development across the group. Ten days prior harnesses had been put on backwards and calls of “V to the knee 1,2,3” had been ringing across Dartmoor. Now, we understood anchoring, removing ourselves from the system and even had a go at setting up an assisted hoist below the altar. The church community on the island thankfully were more interested than annoyed, understanding it was far easier to practice there than in the now rammed pub.
As the rain persisted into the next day it gave further time to reflect and discuss development for future climbing progression and ALeRT. Many people, including myself, now felt more comfortable at heights and in their own climbing confidence which is what AT hopes to achieve. Experiences like this which are facilitated through UOTC undeniably help develop young people and future soldiers with applicable skills suited to future military service. Not only does AT act as a learning experience, it is also an enjoyable one.
Thankfully the rain cleared off in the late afternoon and a small group of us headed north, right to the tip of the island to get a short climb in on a small outcrop, the Constable. The granite was grippy enough to get a quick scamper in before heading back to the pub for our last night on the island.
For our last day, the weather cleared up – which was just as well because we were ready to go big and go home. We returned to the flying buttress, not content with only getting the top pitch in the rain a few days prior. We were cramming the routes in all with great names: Horsemans route, Cappuccino and Alouette. We got 3 or 4 in before having to trudge back onto HMS Oldenburg and head to the mainland not wanting to leave the climbing and small island behind.
Thank you to the Ulysses trust who’s donations enabled this expedition.
JUO Rosie Brown
