On 30th August, 21 members of HQ Centre arrived at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell. The day consisted of a full schedule of briefings—some mandatory Health & Safety sessions, alongside instructional lectures for those participating in the Distributed Training to gain their Summer Mountain Foundation qualification.
After lunch, the group was issued any required loan pool equipment to ensure everyone had the necessary kit for the upcoming arduous expedition. Group safety equipment was also distributed and packed accordingly. Time was allocated for participants to stow away issued items. Backpacks were weighed to ensure compliance with airline policy, and a final check of all documentation was conducted. The group then received a final briefing ahead of the next day’s activity.
All mandatory briefings and paperwork were completed, and the group left with a clear understanding of the immediate plans and the days ahead.
31 August 2025 – Travel Day: An early start for all. Most of the group arrived at Building 125 by 0030hrs, allowing time for any last-minute baggage adjustments and a final documentation check—just to be sure.
We then departed Chilwell and headed to Heathrow where there was a slight delay as check-in wasn’t open. Once check-in was complete, the group headed through security and grabbed a light breakfast before boarding our flight to Marseille
On arrival in Marseille, it was a short bus journey to the station where we had a short 10–15-minute wait for the train to Marseille Saint-Charles (the main station). Due to limited train services to Mont-Dauphin, some free time was allowed.
We arrived in Mont-Dauphin Guillestre shortly before 1730hrs. Room allocations were handled quickly, and dinner was arranged at a nearby restaurant (due to it being a Sunday). A short briefing was held regarding the next day’s acclimatisation walk before everyone headed to bed.
September 2025 – Acclimatisation Walk (Mont-Dauphin): An acclimatisation walk was planned for the day, taking in a circular route around Mont-Dauphin, including a visit to Fort Dauphin, a Vauban fortification constructed in 1692.
After breakfast, the morning brief was delivered. Due to a severe weather forecast, the route and safety considerations were outlined in detail. The brief also covered key learning objectives for the day.
1100hrs – The group set off on the 10km circular route. The walk offered incredible scenery typical of the French Alps, and this provided the perfect environment for dynamic, in-field instruction. Instructors and assistant instructors delivered information on the terrain and highlighted the risks associated with adverse weather, sharing tips on how to mitigate these hazards effectively.
Upon reaching Fort Dauphin, there was a short introduction to Vauban’s military architecture and the historical significance of the fort itself. The group were then given time to explore independently and encouraged to return with questions or points of interest.
The route continued with further instructional stops, reinforcing the importance of group cohesion, effective communication, and reporting minor issues—such as blisters or fatigue—before they escalate.
On returning to base camp, the group had a short rest and lunch (paninis and coffee) before moving into the next phase of preparation. Teams were confirmed for the main expedition, and group equipment was distributed fairly across the participants. Those on the SMF pathway were also assigned lecturette topics to prepare.
September 2025 – Mont-Dauphin to Refuge Furfande (24km)
Day 1 of the Expedition Phase: This was planned to be the longest and arguably most arduous of the six expedition days — setting the tone for what lay ahead.
After a hearty breakfast, the group gathered their pre-packed bags for Turin, which were collected and transported directly to the end location. Each group then received their morning briefings, followed by back-briefs from the students leading the first navigational legs.
The morning offered perfect walking conditions: clear skies, sunshine, and a light breeze—a welcome contrast to the weather during the acclimatisation phase. The terrain, altitude and distance made for a difficult and challenging first day.
The teams made steady progress along the route, stopping frequently to enjoy the view, refuel and rest. The final leg of the day felt relentless—mostly uphill and demanding for all teams. Despite this, morale held, and the team showed excellent resilience and mutual support.
Group 3 had already arrived and prepared bed allocations and house rules. A well-earned dinner followed: hot soup, rice with chicken curry, and cheese with crackers—simple but very much appreciated after the long day.
Days 2-3 of the Expedition Phase: The next two mornings started with breakfast of fresh breads, jam, honey, ginger cake, and cereal. Morning briefs were held, leg leads for the day were nominated and the groups set off.
Groups navigated along their pre-planned routes over the next two days taking in spectacular views whilst honing their navigational skills. The groups had become accustomed to the altitude and benefitted from regular stops along the way.
In the evenings, kit was checked, repacked and routes prepared for the next leg. After dinner, we held the usual evening brief to cover admin and timings for the following days.
Day 4 of the expedition phase: A highlight of the route on Day 4 was passing the Vauban Fort at Château-Queyras, giving us another opportunity to explore the work of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban. We had another historical insight with the group about Vauban’s influence on defensive architecture across the region.
Compared to previous days, the route felt less physically demanding—either due to more forgiving gradients or the group simply adapting to the terrain and altitude. That said, fatigue was setting in for many. Despite pre-expedition training, few locations in the UK can truly replicate multiple consecutive mountain days like these.
We kept a leisurely pace, which helped morale and gave time for recovery. We paused mid-morning in the idyllic hamlet of Aiguilles, where we enjoyed coffee and cake. The village was charming and picture-perfect, offering 45 minutes of rest, refreshments, and a bit of local culture.
Day 5 of the Expedition Phase: Today marked one of the most challenging and significant days of the expedition: a cross-border mountain traverse from France into Italy, with a 1200m ascent packed into just 6–7km, followed by an equally demanding descent into Refugio Pian del Re.
After breakfast, we carried out the usual kit checks, foot inspections, and a detailed route brief. Weather conditions and WBGT readings were checked and deemed favourable. The first group departed just before 0800hrs, with staggered 10-minute intervals between teams.
Today, the plan was to keep the groups in closer proximity, which worked well. By midday, all groups had reached the Tunnel de la Traversette—considered to be the first Alpine tunnel, completed between 1479–1480 and stretching 75m from France into Italy.
Following the crossing, we split back into groups for the descent into Italy. While the ascent had tested our lungs and legs, the downhill was deceptively demanding. The technical terrain made for slow progress and high foot-placement awareness, especially as fatigue was setting in.
Day 6 of the Expedition Phase: The final day was a leisurely stroll in comparison to the previous day. By midday, we reached the small riverside town of Crissino, where we stopped for lunch at a local coffee shop.
The last stretch to Refugio Galaberna, although slightly uphill, was manageable, and the group arrived by 1530hrs.Rooms were then allocated, offering a well-deserved upgrade in comfort. The 3–4-person en-suite rooms were clean and modern, complete with fresh bedding, towels, and a Juliet balcony offering truly breathtaking views of the Italian Alps.
The expedition was a huge success, the teams navigated more than 100km, ascended appx 4500m and crossed an international border. The terrain varied from alpine meadows, forests and a rocky landscape. The weather was genuinely kind throughout which greatly enhanced the trip.
Special thanks go to SSgt Bufton and WO2 Smith for their exceptional organisation, and to the Ulysses Trust for generously subsidising our expedition. Retracing Hannibal’s footsteps across the Alps was a privilege, and one we will cherish for years to come. Without the generosity of the Trust, trips which enhance soldiers’ determination, resilience, confidence and robustness could not be undertaken. Thank you.
