On Sunday 19th February 20 staff from the RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC) arrived at the RAF Robson Resilience centre in Grantown on Spey for 5 days of Winter Mountain Skills development. The aim of the expedition was to provide an opportunity for RAFAC volunteer staff members to develop and practice the skills required to engage with the Mountain Training UK Winter Mountain Leader scheme. Holders of this award are required for RAFAC to be able to deliver the Mountain Training UK Hill and Moorland and Mountain Leader schemes, both of which are fundamental to the delivery of trekking activities to cadets within RAFAC.
The expedition consisted of 3 separate courses: a Winter Skills introduction, a Winter Quality Mountain Days (QMD), and a Winter Climbing Introduction. Following introductions the separate groups busily prepared equipment for the following day on the hill. As always in winter, much time was spent in dissection of the Weather and Avalanche forecasts in combination with the added input from the course staff who had been on the hill during the day to assess conditions, visit potential training locations and prepare for the expedition. Unusually for Scottish Winters, the weather forecast for the expedition was stable for the whole period with a high-pressure system over Northern Europe forecast to deliver continuous cold and dry conditions. This potentially made day to day route planner easier but limited opportunities for students to gain a proper understanding of the normal variation of conditions in Scotland. It also made for some big days on the hill as with limited snow cover the groups would have to head to high locations to access winter conditions.
Monday 10th February
Four groups headed to the Aviemore ski carpark to head into the N Cairngorms. The intro group head for the plateau to practice movement skills, the QMD group head around the Northern Corries practicing skills on the way with 2 climbing groups heading into Corie an-t-Sneachda to look at snow and ice climbing skills.
Tuesday 11th February
Three groups head out with the one group of climbers looking to consolidate their skills on a route in Coire an-t-Sneachda, a second climbing group heading for a mountaineering outing on the East Ridge of Beinn a Chaorainn and the QMD and intro groups heading towards the Munros accessible from Glen Shee ski area. The stable forecast was partially incorrect with more snow than was forecast overnight providing an opportunity to demonstrate the adaptive planning skills required in Winter. With the road to their intended location in difficult condition the walking groups re-planned and returned to the Corrie Ciste area of the N. Cairngorms where conditions were favourable for poor visibility navigation, route choice and Avalanche training with the new snow.
Wednesday 12th February
With no more new snow the walking groups returned to their intended plans for the previous day – to complete a traverse of the Glen Shee Munros with options for students to return or head down at various points. Almost inevitably this became a race with all groups covering their routes in quick time due to the fast travel conditions on the ground. The climbing groups again chose separate locations with one group, after receiving a tip off that routes on Creag Meagaidh were coming in to condition, heading off to do Cindarella (grade II) whilst the other went in search of a skills day on the Twin Ribs in Coire an-t-Sneachda for an earlier finish with kit buying options in Aviemore to follow.
Thursday 13th February
With legs tiring and feet feeling the last few days in winter boots balanced with an awareness that today was the last full day diverse options for the day’s training were needed. 3 hill day options were developed, Ben Macdui (Scotland’s second highest peak), Bynack More and Meall a’ Bhuachaille. The climbing groups stayed local with one group leading their own day on The Slant (grade I) in Coire an-t-Sneachda putting yesterday’s training into practice and the other heading over to Hell’s Lum crag for more ice climbing.
Friday 14th February
Following an evening of packing and prep for leaving all groups headed out for a short-day training followed by the journey home. The walking groups went in search of locations to put their movement skills on snow and mixed terrain into practice focussing on shorter trips into different snow conditions to consolidate skills and understanding of the variability of snow on several aspects. The climbing teams took the opportunity to further consolidate their learning over the week, working in pairs to lead a graded route. By mid-afternoon, all training was complete, and participants were on their way home for a well-earned rest.
“The attendance on the course has certainly supported my ML aspirations and in turn will hugely benefit the cadets at Droitwich and the cadets in Sector 4 West Mercia wing.”
FS Steve Banham 2516 Sqn West Mercia Wing RAF Air Cadets
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust for supporting this expedition. www.rafct.com
