‘No, there really is climbing on the Costa Blanca, I’ve been. It’s really rather good.’ The OC Major Kennon raised a quizzical brow and I crossed my fingers… Fast forward some months and after a late night brief, and even later night packing kit and travelling, we arrived bleary eyed in Alicante airport on the […]
Ex Northern Iberian Duke – 4 Lancs Read More »
This was going to be my first trip away with the CCF. I have only recently joined the CCF and jumped at the opportunity to go on the canoe /kayak expedition to the South of France. All the cadets gathered at school on the 8th and said their goodbyes to parents. The journey was fairly
Ex Dragon Ventura Allier – Ratcliffe College CCF Read More »
Cadets on the Norway Cross Country Ski Expedition experienced the full range of winter weather conditions during their week skiing over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Despite the stormy conditions our group of 6 boys and girls made quick progress acquiring the necessary ski skills to complete a demanding Hut to Hut Expedition. Norway has an
Ex Bradfield Venturer Tiger 2016 – Bradfield College CCF + Berkhamstead School CCF Read More »
Excited – the majority feelings among cadets prior to travelling, mixed with a healthy quantity of being curious, motivated, adventurous, anticipating something new, keen to get started, yet there was the inevitable sense of being apprehensive and nervous……. why? Because, for all of those chosen to join the Venture to Gibraltar, as one cadet summarized
Ex Dragon Venturer Jerboa Rock – Derbyshire Army Cadet Force Read More »
Winter has arrived, bringing with it the joys of frosty morns, roaring log fires, hot toddies, and the obligatory public transport delays caused by any number of weather based line blockages. Never fear, because while you’re waiting for the leaves to be swept from the line, the Ulysses Trust Winter Newsletter has arrived! In this
The Winter 2016 Newsletter Has Arrived! Read More »
In October 2016 The Queen’s Own Yeomanry and a selection from other Reservist units, deployed on Exercise Northern Blue Juice to Fuerteventura. The aim of the expedition was to conduct diver training and to qualify all participants in either the BSAC Ocean Diver or Sports Diver. We were also extremely fortunate to participate in a
Ex Northern Blue Juice – The Queen’s Own Yeomanry Read More »
The Atlas mountains are, at first look, forbidding and hostile. The weather conditions are changeable and the environment inhospitable to people, animals and vegetation. Over the duration of the two-week expedition the team got to know the people, the terrain and learned much about the Berber culture and rural way of life in the remote
Tiger Toubkal – Royal Signals Read More »
Towards the end of July, 5 senior cadets and 3 staff from RGS Guildford CCF departed from school, bound for the Tirol region of Austria, to take part in a mountaineering expedition. The programme was to include part of the Stubai Hohenweg hut-to-hut, general glacial training, a technical ascent of a peak and an introduction
Summer Explorer 4 (Tiger) 2016 Read More »
Exercise Northern Gozo was an extremely successful level 3 Adventure Training exercise to the beautiful island of Malta, for 14 Officers and soldiers from 32 Signal Regiment. The aim of the exercise was to undertake two one week foundation level courses in Rock Climbing and Sub Aqua Diving, to continue to build up the amount
Ex Northern Gozo – 32 Signal Regiment Read More »
The aim of our Moonlands venture was to foster leadership skills in our senior cadets through a programme of adventurous training for five weeks in the Ladakh region of the Tibetan Plateau. This is a unique area, long isolated by the high peaks, which still forbid land access for eight months of the year. It
Moonlands 2016 – Budmouth College CCF Read More »
Monday 27th June 2016 saw ten eager sailors from Selly Oak Trust School Birmingham, which is one of the largest for young people with special educational needs in Europe, depart for Portsmouth to take part in a Tall Ships Expedition. The group consisted of six 6th Form students and four students from year 10 accompanied
Tall Ships Challenger 2016 – Selly Oak Trust School CCF Read More »
On the 6 September 2016 Northumbrian University Officer Training Corps undertook a level 3 Summer Mountaineering expedition to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. 23 Officer cadets, subalterns and army mountaineering instructors participated in the exercise, with 11 of the participants gaining the Summer Mountaineering Foundation (SMF) qualification and the remainder
Northern Bear 2016 Read More »
Exercise Ice Maiden, the first all-female military trans-Antarctic crossing planned for November 2017, is the brain child of expedition leaders Captain Nicola Wetherill and Major Natalie Taylor. The two adventurous Army doctors hope that the expedition will inspire others, particularly women, to seek adventure and to engage in arduous outdoor activity. In addition, regardless of
Ex Ice Bambi 2016 – British Army Read More »
“Adventurous Training in the south of France? Come on, you are just off on a jolly!” These were the parting words from EMUOTC’s Adjutant to the group of six Officer Cadets about to embark on a ten-day 3* kayaking expedition on the Ardeche river. It may not have been a “Jolly” but it was a
Ex Dragon Floating EMU – East Midlands UOTC Read More »
Report written by Lt NJW Richmond C Coy 2 R IRISH The aim of Joint Service Adventurous Training is set out as follows; “to promote, through the conduct of arduous outdoor activities with exposure to hardship and danger, the Army’s core values, leadership, teamwork and other qualities necessary to enhance the Operational effectiveness of all
Ex Shamrock Glacier – 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Read More »
Aims and Objectives The aims and objectives are to expose Officer Cadets to the challenges of adventurous training and taking part in the organisation and execution of a major expedition. This expedition will provide the opportunity for LUAS students to undertake mountain biking, and mountaineering in an arduous, wild and ever-changing environment. The expedition members
Ex Bike Hike 2016 – Liverpool University Air Squadron Read More »
If you look up the GR20 online you will see it described as “the toughest long distance trail in Europe”. Spanning 300 miles and crossing Corsica from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south the GR20 crosses some of the most spectacular mountain terrain in Europe and is coupled with an incredible Mediterranean
Ex Dragon Steel Corsica – 3rd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment Read More »
A 6-day journey of discovery by a mixed team of nine Senior Cadets and Cadet Adult instructors who were all Nordic skiing novices out on the snow making memories. A long journey from UK to Sandefjord Airport in Norway followed by a 3-hour drive culminated in our arrival on a snowy plateau 1200mts above the
Ex Dragon Venturer Cadet Norski – HQ CCAT Read More »
I’d never dived the Maldives before so I thought it might be wise to find out what was needed. I wasn’t entirely sure what I expected the manager of the dive boat to say, perhaps he would advise about the thickness of wetsuit or what factor sunscreen we would need but when he said “a
Ex Neptune Serpent – 2nd Medical Brigade Read More »
Ex Red Wyvern was an overseas Exped to the Red Sea in Egypt, operating on a dive liveaboard vessel that not only acted as a diving platform, but provided us all our accommodation and real life support needs. The Exped was mainly comprised of Reserve and Regular Soldiers from 165 and 17 Port and Maritime
Ex Red Wyvern – 165 & 17 Port and Maritime Regiments Read More »
The Trust is saddened to announce the death of Major General His Grace The Duke of Westminster KG CB CVO OBE TD CD DL who passed away after a short illness on the 9th August 2016. Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster, became a Vice Patron of the Ulysses Trust in 1995, and
Duke of Westminster, Vice Patron of the Ulysses Trust, Dies Aged 64 Read More »
Nothing beats an English summer, relaxing outside in the afternoon sun with the soothing sounds of the village cricket match filtering through on the light breeze, a cool drink in one hand, and a copy of the Ulysses Trust summer newsletter in the other. In this edition we focus on the spirit of adventure and
Summer Newsletter 2016 Read More »
Less than a year since the untimely death of Polar Adventurer Henry Worsley, a team of Army Reserves will set out to retrace his epic adventure in Antarctica. This will be the first time a team composed purely of Army Reservists attempts this incredible mentally and physically demanding crossing unsupported. Henry aimed to complete the
Ulysses Trust Backs Expedition Paying Tribute To Henry Worsley’s Last Journey Read More »
Report by Officer Cadet Rebecca Seal Ex JAVELIN KUTSERO was a Tri Service Type 3 Adventurous Training expedition conducted over the period 12 Feb‐8 Mar 16. The expedition involved scuba diving activities focussed on the WW2 Japanese wrecks of Coron in the Philippines. Diving was conducted in two groups; this report focuses on the first
Ex Javelin Kutsero – Wales University Officers Training Corps Read More »
Four seasons in one week maintained the ambitions of Ex Northern Jacobite Venturer (Ex NJV). Blue sky and delightful spring weather for the first few days gave way to snow and wind by the end of the expedition. Our now annual Scottish exploit is in its 9th year and is successfully delivering all four phases
Northern Jacobite Venturer – Giggleswick School CCF Read More »
On 27th March 2016, six Officer Cadets from Oxford University Officer Training Corps set out on an ambitious six-day hut-to-hut ski tour across the Italian Dolomites. For five of the six members, the expedition was especially challenging as it was their first experience of hut-to-hut touring. In spite of this and many additional challenges encountered
Ex Blue Tour Dolomite – Oxford University Officer Training Corps Read More »
The aim of the Exercise was to take Army Cadets from Shropshire to Bavaria for a progressive Adventure Training programme using the medium of Alpine Skiing. It was planned to the UKCC Snow Sports Snow Life Awards Course as the basis for the weeks training. This was supported with elements of snow/mountain survival lectures including
Ex Dragon Venturer Snow Cub – Shropshire Army Cadet Force Read More »
Departing Heathrow bound for Delhi in India, 15 cadets and 5 staff members from 282 (East Ham) Squadron Air Cadets couldn’t contain their excitement for the adventure that lay ahead. This was an adventure that would change the lives of the cadets forever! It was no easy task; the climate difficulties along with being out
Thar Horizon 3 – 282 (East Ham) Squadron Air Training Corps Read More »
Royal Belfast Academical Institution CCF deployed 9 Senior Cadets and 2 Officers for a rock climbing exercise in Tenerife on 16 – 23 February 2016. This exercise had been months in planning and everyone was delighted to finally receive full clearance. It would mark the first ever overseas AT Exercise for the Contingent and one
Finn Venturer 2016 – Royal Belfast Academical Institution CCF Read More »
Preamble The Canford School CCF has been venturing to Norway for some twenty years now; a significant number of them generously supported by the Ulysses Trust and the expedition has become somewhat of an institution with many cadets over the years describing it as the best thing they did at Canford. It was no surprise
Canford Norwegian Venturer – Canford School CCF Read More »
Loretto CCF undertook a cross country ski expedition to Norway in February 2016 following in the footsteps of Norwegian saboteurs who had a mission in WW2 to destroy a heavy water plant in Rjukan, S Norway to prevent Hitler from building the atom bomb. The aim of the expedition was for the cadets to complete
Viking Telemark – Loretto School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
Ex Calo Biralo 2016, which saw 19 Members of 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD) and their instructors travel to the Himalayas of central Nepal and trek the much revered Annapurna Circuit. Its aim; to test the group both physically and mentally in an arduous environment culminating in the Tharong La pass (5416m), whilst
Ex Calo Biralo – 101 Engineer Regiment Read More »
Six days of challenge and adventure by a mixed team of four Senior Cadets and two Cadet Adult instructors. Arrived safe and well in Rjukan after a very long day travelling. Lower Gorge My first step into ice climbing on steep ground today was awesome, it really took my climbing back to basics and made
Ex Cadet Ice 2016 – Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training Read More »
From 03 – 10 January 2016 the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) kicked off their adventurous training year by taking part in Exercise (ALPINE) SNOW FOX XXI in Val D’Isère, France. Ex Snow Fox is the pan-Yeomanry Alpine Skiing Championship which aims to promote fitness, physical agility, teamwork and leadership. This year we had 14
Ex Snowfox 2016 – First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Read More »
“Amazing, Fantastic, Brilliant” It may have been 07.30 am when the group of 36 cadets and 7 adults left Glasgow but there was not a thing that could have dampened their excitement for the ski trip to Salzburger Sportwelt in Austria, not even the thought of 30 hours of travel. “Amazing, fantastic, brilliant” and “the
Ex Snow Queen – Glasgow + Lanarkshire Bn ACF Read More »
From the 23rd to the 29th December 2015, 28 Sea Cadets and 5 adult volunteers joined the crew of the TS Lord Nelson to spend their Christmas in the port of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. This was on board a square rigged training ship designed to give the chance to sail on the open
Tall Ships – Sea Cadets HQ Read More »
After a busy year of fundraising, fitness training, paperwork, kit research, trips to the vaccination clinic and briefing weekends my adventure finally began. On the 21st of July 2015 I travelled to India with the Royal Geographical Society and the British Exploring Society. The team consisted of twelve Trainee Leaders, fifty ‘young explorers’ between the ages of 16-25 . As
Himalaya Expedition – Bury Grammar School CCF Read More »
Exercise GEORGIAN BUGLE was 6 RIFLES and the British Military’s first adventure training expedition to Georgia. This came about as 6 RIFLES have been given the Defence Engagement role for the South Caucasus’s which include Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. As the Expedition Leader I went out to Georgia in May 15 and carried out a
Ex Georgian Bugle – 6 Rifles Read More »
Bristol University Air Squadron deployed to Iceland on EX MIDNIGHT SUN to carry out a cycling and walking tour of the Golden Circle. The initial plan was to fly out to Iceland to then cycle a route starting from Reykjavik, travelling into the Landmannalaugar National Park. We would then return via a different route and
Ex Midnight Sun – Bristol University Air Squadron Read More »
Exercise Rocky Blue began with the excellent book ‘Undaunted Courage’ by Stephen E Ambrose which provides a fascinating study of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806. Inspired by the adventures of those pioneering gentlemen, Cambridge University Officer Training Corps planned and organised an expedition to re-trace part of their route along the Missouri River.
Ex Rocky Blue – Cambridge UOTC Read More »
On 05 September 2015 a team from 201 Field Hospital embarked on Exercise Northern Brighella. Adventurous Training (AT) is an integral part of Military Training and greatly valued at 201 Field Hospital. The definition of AT is ‘Challenging outdoor training for Service Personnel in specified adventurous activities that incorporates controlled exposure to risk, in order
Ex Northern Brighella – 201 Field Hospital Read More »
Staffordshire and West Midlands North Sector conducted Ex Corsican Dragon Venturer over the period 16-30 Aug 15. The aim of the expedition was to complete the northern section of the GR20. The GR20 is a long distance high altitude technical mountain trail that crosses the Mediterranean Island of Corsica. The route takes ten days to
Corsican Dragon Venturer – Staffordshire and West Midlands North Sector ACF Read More »
In August 2015, 9 members of Birmingham University Royal Naval Unit (BURNU) conducted a major Adventurous Training Expedition to Ascension Island (ASI). Exercise BURNU Dive ASI as it was known had all the ingredients of a classic AT exped from the start, with the experienced diving supervisory team of a Royal Marine Colour Sergeant and
Ex BURNU Dive ASI – Birmingham URNU Read More »
The Ulysses Trust Annual Review is always an eagerly awaited publication from our benefactors and beneficiaries alike, and this year’s is no exception. We have just published the 2015 Annual Review in which we discuss the exceptional results that the Ulysses Trust achieved, showcase some of the outstanding expeditions that the Trust supported throughout the
The Ulysses Trust Annual Review 2015 Read More »
Each year the Ulysses Trust presents awards for the best expedition in the following categories – Volunteer Reserve Forces, University Units and Cadet Forces – to highlight the very best in leadership, challenge, courage and planning. The expeditions for the Ulysses Trust 2015 Awards have been selected using the award guidelines, which include the key
Prince of Wales’s Best Expedition Awards 2015 – Winners Announced! Read More »
This summer, ten officer cadets from Oxford University Officer Training Corps set off to attempt to trek 500 kilometres, unsupported, from the north to the south of Iceland over the course of three weeks. Our leader, Junior Under Officer Graves, had selected a team of nine Officer Cadets from the universities of Oxford, Oxford Brookes,
Ex Blue Fara – Oxford UOTC Read More »
When the opportunity arose to hike the Northern section of the twentieth Grande Randonnée over the period 05-16 August, Officer Cadets at UOTC Birmingham leapt at the opportunity to further their mountaineering experience and prepared to embark on an eleven day route that has a reputation of being one of the toughest long distance trails
Ex Dragon Slim Corsica – UOTC Birmingham Read More »
Introduction Maj Andy Gooch Exercise TIGER THULO TRAVERSE (Ex TTT) set out to trek the 1600km length of the Nepalese Himalayas along a route called the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT). It was to follow in the footsteps of ex-Sapper Captain Doc McKerr who became the first person to trek the route solo, unsupported in 2013
Ex Tiger Thulo Traverse – British Army Read More »
Expedition Romanian Dragon took cadets from Wales into the heart of Romania. 3 groups enjoyed a 5 day trek in the stunning high Transylvanian Alps, and 2 days on an inspirational Roma community building project. Each group also managed to fit in a visit to Dracula’s castle, some medieval sword fighting, together with a remote
Ex Romanian Dragon – ACFA Wales Read More »
On the 16th July 2015, 12 Officer Cadets embarked on their most adventurous expedition to date. The group was made up of students from Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron (UGSAS) and East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron (ESUAS). Along with their two staff members, the two sister squadrons travelled to Vancouver Island, off
Ex Tartan Orca – Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron Read More »
Exercise Dragon Mongolian Odyssey was a mountaineering expedition undertaken by 10 members of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) to the Tavan Bogd Mountain Range on the Mongolia, China, Russian border, with the intention of qualifying junior soldiers with various mountain foundation qualifications, knowledge and experience. The location of the expedition was in the western most point
Ex Dragon Mongolian Odyssey – 135 Geographic Squadron Royal Engineers Read More »
On 1 July 2015, 10 members of Trojan Squadron – part of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme – and 2 Summer Mountaineering instructors set out on Ex Aventura Peruana, a three week mountaineering exercise to Peru. The south of Peru is home to the Andes, a challenging mountain range that offers some of the most
Ex Dragon Aventura Peruana – DTUS Trojan Sqn Read More »
Ex DHAULAGIRI ALPINE DRAGON was the training event conducted in Saas Fee, Switzerland during the period of 11-26 Jul 15 for members of the British Services Dhaulagiri Medical Research Expedition. Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest mountain in the world and the expedition will involve a 24 person mountaineering squad with numerous trekking teams. The aim
Dhaulagiri Alpine Dragon 2015 – 103 Regt RA Read More »
Exercise Northern Venturer Baidarka III was a Sea Kayaking expedition to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The expedition was for 19 cadets and 6 adults from Strathallan School Combined Cadet Force and the cadets were drawn from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army Sections. We were also supported by 6 local guides based out
Ex Northern Venturer Baidarka – Strathallan School CCF Read More »
The Trust would like to say a huge thank you to Colonel David Benest OBE who at the beginning of this year surpassed his donation target of £2,000 in support of the Ulysses Trust’s work with Cadet adventurous training.
(Almost) The Oldest Paperboy Raises £2K For The Trust Read More »
On the 1st of October a team from 37th Signal Regiment headed out to Arizona, USA to take part in Exercise Dragon Phoenix, an expedition with the primary aim of summiting four ‘Ultra-Peaks’ across the state. An ‘ultra-peak’ is defined as a mountain summit with over 1500m (4921 ft) of prominence. In addition, the expedition
Ex Dragon Phoenix – 37 Signal Regiment Read More »
At the beginning of July a team from the Royal Grammar School, Guildford CCF set out on an expedition to the Caribbean Island of Montserrat. Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory that hit the headline news in 1995 due to the reawakening of its volcano leading to a mass-evacuation of the islanders and a subsequent
Ex RGS Island Venturer – Royal Grammar School Guildford CCF Read More »
Scotland is an interesting place, one minute its cold and rainy the next it’s warm and sunny. That didn’t stop our team completing our gold Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition. On 28th July, we set off along the Caledonian Canal starting at Loch Dochfour (Dochgarroch) heading to Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie. The aim of the expedition
Ex Caledonian Canal 2015 – Air Training Corps Read More »
Once again a group of Senior Cadets and CFAVs assembled at Manchester Airport to fly to Spain in search of sunshine and dry rock in October. The Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training (CCAT) delivers a rock climbing course each year in Spain, offering Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Senior Cadets the opportunity to develop their
Ex Dragon Venturer Cadet Rock – Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training Read More »
During October half term, 13 cadets and 3 members of staff made the long trip via Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg to Volharding Game Ranch in the northern district of Limpopo, South Africa. The cadets from Reed’s CCF and our state partnership school, Hinchley Wood were in for an incredible 10 days in the South African
Ex Southern Leopard 2015 – Reed’s School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
In October 2015, 20 Air cadets and 6 members of staff had the amazing opportunity to attend an 18 day expedition in South Africa. The cadets and staff were from several squadrons throughout Devon & Somerset wing and Plymouth & Cornwall wing. This is a report of our adventures during our time in a truly
Operation Global Dragon – Devon & Somerset Wing, Plymouth & Cornwall Wing ATC Read More »
Uckfield and Crawley Sqns have just returned from a two week expedition to Morocco thanks to kind sponsorship from the Ulysses Trust, the RAF Charitable Trust, and the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. The trip had two main aims, to summit the highest peak in the High Atlas Mountains, Jebel Toubkal at 4167m and to
Ex Toubkal Adventure 2015 – 2530 (Uckfield) and 19 (Crawley) Sqns ATC Read More »
As I write, the rain is coming down in droves, the wind is howling, and Falmouth harbour is looking as grey as the RFA supply ships berthed alongside the docks. What better way to brighten up the day than with the Ulysses Trust Winter newsletter, packed full of interesting articles, expeditionary discoveries, and inspirational photographs.
Winter Newsletter 2015 Read More »
In the summer of 2015 I was fortunate to be selected as one of a handful of service skippers for the newly acquired 72’ yachts and in turn for Leg 6, Hobart to Auckland. Flying out to Hobart on New Years eve we had 4 days of yacht preparation and training before setting off on
Transglobe Leg 6 – London UOTC Read More »
On a cold Sunday afternoon 10 members of 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital met at the Army Reserve Centre in Kings Heath, with a mixture of emotions ranging from excitement to apprehension as to what they had actually volunteered for. The group was very diverse ranging in age from 29-55 and was very much a mixed
Ex Dragon Inca Medic – 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital Read More »
From the 26th September to the 11th October 2015 the Royal Yeomanry completed an Adventurous Training expedition in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The main effort of the expedition was to traverse a section of the High Atlas between the Tizi-n-Test pass the the Tizi-n-Tichka pass and hoping to bag as many peaks as
Ex Cockney Toubkal – Royal Yeomanry + East Midlands UOTC Read More »
104 Regiment Royal Artillery (the Welsh Borderers) is an Army Reserve unit specialising in the operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems, or Drones to the civilian, and for the last 3 years it has had the opportunity of conducting an annual flying camp utilising the facilities offered by the Californian National Guard based out of Camp
Ex Atlantic Sail 2 2015 – 104 Regt RA Read More »
The kayaking club at King Edwards School, Birmingham is a small but keen group of boys who meet every Thursday lunchtime to hone their skills in the swimming pool. Once or twice a year we load up the boats and kit and head out to rivers across the UK for a weekend to transfer these
Ex Dragon KES Kayaking 2015 – King Edward’s School CCF Read More »
It all started on the 13th October. Seven intrepid explorers set off in search of adventure. Some of us knew vaguely what to expect, the others had no idea! Later that night we arrived in Lanzarote and finally met our Skipper Russ and First Mate Esh, who was to become our hero in the days
Ex Atlantic Ubique 2015 – 103 Regt RA Read More »
Junior cadets from Durham Army Cadet Force had the fantastic opportunity to take part in an eight day adventure training camp in Cornwall, during the October half term holiday on Exercise Fistral Folly. The 105 cadets and 19 staff moved into RAF St Mawgan at 0300hrs 24th October 2015, the camp runs parallel to Newquay
Ex Fistral Folly 2015 – Durham Army Cadet Force Read More »
Between 17th and 27th October 2015 a group of Cadets, and Adults from Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools Combined Cadet Force visited the Carpathian Mountains of Slovakia and Poland to complete a 6 day trek through the Slovakian and Polish Tatra Mountains as part of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition. Our journey started with
Ex Polish Polka Venturer – Oldham Hulme GS CCF Read More »
Bristol ACF conducted Exercise Bristolian Zeus during the back end of October 2015, with the main aim of cycling some of the varied technical and challenging off road routes of Cyprus. From the stunning views along the Cyprus coastlines showing off the deep blue and emerald sea of the Mediterranean, to the craggy and muddy
Ex Bristolian Zeus 2015 – Bristol Army Cadet Force Read More »
Reservists from HMS President, HMS Flying Fox and HMS Ferret took part in the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race aboard the RNVR Yacht Club’s Beneteau 40.7 yacht Volunteer. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the race celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2015, with a record fleet of 356 yachts from 25 countries competing in
Fastnet 2015 – Maritime Reserves Read More »
Ex Dragon Diver was a 21 day diving expedition to the Florida Keys, USA organized by 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC. After some last minute changes, the team included a wide mixture of units: a large contingent from Wales UOTC and even an RAF OCdt. The group also included a mix of experience levels; 10 of
Ex Dragon Diver – 157 (Welsh) Regiment RLC Read More »
On 24 Oct 15 ten personnel from 75 Engineer Regiment left Manchester and travelled to Costa Blanca, Spain for a week of climbing the stunning limestone sport climbing routes which populate the area just North of Benidorm. The week’s aim was to introduce novice climbers to the sport with the long-term aim of them continuing
Ex Northern Ypres Trepador – 75 Engineer Regiment Read More »
Twenty minutes into the journey, an about turn was required to retrieve the passport left at Barracks. Passports all present and correct we proceeded to board the plane where we were entertained by the sight of two bags forgotten on the runway, only to later discover that they contained an expedition member’s tentage and personal
Exercise Icelandic Endeavour – Royal Wessex Yeomanry Read More »
On Tuesday 18th August 2015, 15 bright eyed and bushy tailed British Air Cadets from 1955 City of Wells Sqn set of on an adventure of a life time to Ontario Canada, flying into Toronto international Airport. We arrived at rush hour and our convoy wound its way around various short cuts until we hit
Expedition Red Maple Leaf 2015 – 1955 (City of Wells) Sqn ATC Read More »
Aim: The main aim of the exped was to Kayak in pairs around the famous Cape Point transferring from Indian Ocean to Atlantic Ocean then continue on foot along the Atlantic Coast to the top of Table Mountain. Day 1 – We split into 2 groups; one group went walking from Fish Hoek Bay to
Ex Sea Province 2015 – Southampton University Air Squadron Read More »
A Slice of Cornwall I need something different in the Adventure Training diary this year, something new, something challenging, something exciting. After a few hours searching the web I was on the phone to a very laid back South African accent which called itself Shaun, “Yes buddy, sure thing, we can do that, no problem
Ex Blue Salt Blade 2015 – Devon and Somerset Air Training Corps Read More »
This year (2015) the Royal Marines Cadets Expedition team flew out to the USA where they would attempt to complete a section of the Appalachian trail in Connecticut along with cultural visits and further training with the US Navy & Marine Corps. The team consisted of 11 RM Cadets, 5 Sea Cadets and 5 Staff/Instructors.
Ex USA 2015 – Bravo Company, Royal Marines Cadets Read More »
Ex Madagascar Blue was a trekking expedition to the island of Madagascar. On the 29th of August nine Officer Cadets from the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps flew to Antananarivo to begin a three week expedition, taking in three of Madagascar’s National Parks and experiencing the landscape and culture of a very different country. Madagascar
Ex Madagascar Blue – Cambridge University Officer Training Corps Read More »
The seven day diving expedition was based in Marsa Nakari, Egypt. We were a group of ten personnel which included regular, reserve and civilian SADS from Harrogate. The expedition ranged in ability from novice diver undertaking the BSAC Ocean Diver qualification to Open Water Instructor trainers. The main objective of this exercise was to qualify
Ex Dragon Jerboa Plunge – HQ 7 Inf Bde and 3 PWRR Read More »
In 2015, the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Center (JSASTC), organised the “Exercise Transglobe”. This exercise is one with tremendous military tradition, which happens every five years. A group of UK forces personnel take parts on legs of a trans- global trip on the two 72ft yachts. I was lucky enough to be selected to
Ex Transglobe 2015 – University of London OTC Read More »
With the messages from the Speech Day still ringing in our ears, we headed north, to Halton Camp on the banks of the River Lune. Those essential characteristics of resilience, self-reliance and self-confidence would certainly be tested in this week, the aim of the week was to develop a solid nucleus of junior leaders within
Wrekin Cathedral Challenge 2015 – Wrekin College CCF Read More »
The overall aim of this overseas expedition was not only to teach the Cadets and Staff about adventurous training but also to teach them life skills in adapting to change within a new environment, teamwork and leadership. The Cadets were aged between 15 and 18 and both Cadets and Staff were from Cumbria and Lancashire
Pyrenees Adventure 2015 – Cumbria and Lancashire Wing ATC Read More »
Each year the Ulysses Trust seeks to encourage aspiration by presenting an award to the best expedition to which it has provided support, amongst the Volunteer Reserve, University OTCs, and Cadets. It seems that every year the competition gets stronger, with some exceptional expeditions taking place which are truly inspirational. This year is no exception,
Ulysses Trust Expeditionary Award Winners Read More »
Exercise Rolling Eagle saw a team of three officer cadets from Exeter University Officer Training Corps embark upon a trans-continental cycling challenge, crossing North America from Seattle, Washington, to New York City. The expedition aimed to improve the organisational, planning and leadership skills of those involved, in addition to presenting a physical and mental challenge
Ex Rolling Eagle – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
After a relatively comfortable, sleepless eight-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton, the plane finally touched down on the Ascension Island and we emerged from the cabin into the bright and humid South Atlantic air. Our 12-strong party, comprising Army, Air Force and (retd) Navy personnel had been brought together to conduct overseas Adventurous Training (AT)
Ex Ascension Serpent – 208 Field Hospital Read More »
As part of its role Exeter UOTC is tasked with organising high quality and demanding Adventurous Training for the Cadets. This should deliver foundation qualifications but also give the Cadets exposure to just how demanding AT can be and how it can be used to develop personal qualities and teamwork. The Dolomite mountains of northern
Ex Falzarego Tiger – Exeter University Officer Training Corps Read More »
At Sheffield University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) we run an annual adventure training expedition for the cadets and subalterns reaching the end of their third and final year of OTC. This is the culmination of all their training and development and a ‘last hurrah’ before they embark on civilian and reservist careers or set off
Ex Northern Cutlers’ Climb – Sheffield University Officer Training Corps Read More »
On the 16 May 15 selected members from all three squadrons of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment left the UK for Marrakech, Morocco. The aim of this exercise was to introduce us to the activity of mountaineering, by giving us the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and what better place to have this experience than in
Ex Dragon Toubkal – 1st Military Working Dog Regiment Read More »
On 1 June 2015 a group of 14 intrepid adventurists left the UK bound for the high mountains of the Bolivian Altiplano. Flying via Miami we eventually touched down in La Paz (4000m) after around 15 hours in the air. This Army Mountaineering Association (AMA) Expedition had an ambitious plan to scale a number of
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Early on 11th August, 17 cadets from Oakham School CCF departed on an expedition which was to combine an appreciation of two battlefield sites from the Peninsular Campaign with a challenging trek across the Sierra de Gredos mountains of central Spain. The journey took in a 24-hour ferry crossing between Portsmouth and Santander which provided
Expedition Peninsular Cadet – Oakham School Combined Cadet Force Read More »
Two days after the end of a busy year 14 cadets and 3 staff from Bromsgrove School Combined Cadet Force embarked on a three week expedition of a lifetime to some of the remotest areas of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The aim of the expedition was to give the cadets an opportunity to develop self-reliance
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“Oh, I could never do that…I can’t even bear to put my face underwater.” Curious to know who had commented on Justin Maker’s near perfect forward roll into the blue waters of the Mediterranean, I turned round to see a middle-aged British tourist sitting with two of her friends on the sun-baked concrete quayside beside
Ex Submerged Battlefield (Dragon) – Army Training Unit (West Midlands) Read More »
A team of 12 Air Cadets and 3 staff from 234 (City of Durham) Squadron have returned from the challenge of a lifetime, trekking in the French Pyrenees and summiting the mighty Pic du Canigou. It had taken 15 months of planning, fundraising and training, so when the Cadets arrived at the airport, the excitement
Pyrenees Trekking Expedition 2015 – 234 (City of Durham) Sqn ATC Read More »
After a brisk walk to the boarding gate, 16 members of Bristol University Officer Training Corps and 4 external instructors were en route to Sharm El Sheikh, with complimentary extra legroom to boot. Upon arrival in Egypt we were greeted with warmth from both the local climate and the lively tourist guide who would be
Exercise Cabot Coral – Bristol University Officer Training Corps Read More »
The aim of Exercise DRAGON CORSE was for members of 203 Fd Hosp to complete the northern half of the GR20 high altitude route in Corsica. Putting 16 Officer’s and Soldiers under pressure while conducting arduous physical and mental adventurous training and develop leadership outside of their normal comfort zones. The biggest challenge on this
Exercise Dragon Corse – 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital Read More »
Exercise Northern Alpinista consisted of a two week mountaineering expedition to the Benasque valley region within the Spanish Pyrenees. The expedition took place during July 2015 and was supported by 15 Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Leeds University Officers Training Corps and Regular and Reserve Forces instructors and staff. The location was chosen for its appeal
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Gale force winds, rough seas and seven days spent almost entirely within the confines of the 72 foot ketch, Alba Venturer, set the scene for the West Coast Challenge Sailing Expedition 2015. Eleven cadets from across the UK together with two adult staff joined the OYT Scotland crew to sail out of Oban for a
OYT West Coast Challenge – Headquarters Air Cadets Read More »
MTMC (Mission Training and Mobilisation Centre) based in Nottingham and Lydd, took part in their annual diving expedition from 08 to 22 May 2015 on Exercise Dragon Diver 2. This was an expedition to two of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. Planning for the expedition started in Oct 2014, novice divers were trained to
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It’s one of the toughest summits to reach in the Pyrenees. At a mighty 2784m above sea level combined with a 20m final sharp ascent, stunning views and a test of nerve, few mountains can rival the excitement of the Pic du Canigou in southern France. After 15 months of planning and fundraising, a team
Operation Vertex – 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron Air Training Corps Read More »
The 2015 Scot-Paddle with the Sea Cadets was probably the best way in my opinion to experience the wild and beautiful nature of Scotland for the first time. Our six days paddling and camping on Loch Morar and Loch Nevis was an awesome experience. From the bug infested fields, to the harsh but forever present
Knoydart Wilderness Open Canoe 2015 – Marine Society and Sea Cadets Read More »
Day 1 and 2 – Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 July 2015 It was a bright morning as students started to gather at the Keep from 0700 hours. Final administration of passport checks, personal insurance and EHIC’s were being carried out when it became apparent that one of the students expedition rucksack’s that had been
Exercise Northern Carpathian – Northumbria UOTC Read More »
The Tour de Mont Blanc is one of the most popular long-distance walking routes in the world, traversing through France, Switzerland and Italy as it circumnavigates the immense Mont Blanc massif, the highest mountain in Europe. The full distance is usually walked in 10 days; due to work and time constraints we had decided from
On the 28th of June 2015 Basingstoke Sea Cadets ventured out on a week’s trip to Gibraltar to complete a Competent Crew course with All Abroad Sailing Academy. The first day mainly consisted of travelling. We arrived in Gibraltar in the midday heat, which gave us an idea of the weather to come! Our boat,
The Rock 2015 – Basingstoke Sea Cadets Read More »
The overall aim of the expedition was designed to introduce and develop overseas leadership skills for adult volunteer staff by participation in a real ‘expedition situation’ where they are the participants. Each day was spent in the mountains developing technical, journeying and leadership skills in a demanding high alpine environment. The area chosen was the
Exercise Mercantour 2015 – HQ Air Cadets Read More »
Nothing says summer more than relaxing on the lawn with the sounds of the village cricket match in the distance, the latest test match on the radio, a glass of something cool by your side, and the latest edition of the Ulysses Trust summer newsletter to enthrall you with exploits of derring-do in far flung
Summer Newsletter 2015 Read More »
It is now a month since the final team from Exercise Alpine Arc arrived at the shores of the Mediterranean; successfully completing the final kilometres of an extraordinary ski-journey through the European Alps. A journey which began in Puchberg am Schneeberg in Austria before winding its way through 1100kms of snow-locked mountains; accumulating almost 80
Exercise Alpine Arc – Oxford University Officer Training Corps Read More »
Over the week of 18-22 May 2015, 5 Military Intelligence Battalion spent a week in the far north west of Scotland, based out of the MOD Adventure Training Lodge at Dundonnel. On Wednesday 20 May, the group was afforded the opportunity to go Sea Kayaking near Lochinver, courtesy of a financial grant made by the
Ex Northern Phoenix Munro 2 – 5 Military Intelligence Battalion Read More »
Exercise TIGER SOAR 15 was a two week Adventurous Training Expedition in the French Alps run by the Army Gliding Association (AGA) 18 Apr – 3 May 15. Seven Army glider pilots deployed, two of whom are reservists: Lt Col Ian McFarlane YORKS and Maj Jamie Sage RE (Chairman AGA). Both Jamie and Ian are
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On 14th April 2015, our intrepid team boarded flights to begin their journey to the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The aim of the expedition was to complete a demanding six day trekking expedition culminating in the summit of Jebel Toubkal , the highest mountain in North Africa, whilst increasing cohesion between our geographically disparate
Exercise Northern Atlas – Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry Read More »
A “Very Polite” Walk in the Alps – Reservists on the Tour du Mont Blanc. By Sapper Kimberly Gee and Sapper Kofi Steele (Reservists with 75 Engineer Regiment, currently studying at Manchester Metropolitan University) When presented with the opportunity to attend Ex Northern Ypres Paccard, trekking the Northern half of the Tour du Mont Blanc,
Exercise Northern Ypres Paccard – 75 Engineer Regiment Read More »
After a slight false start with Off Cdt Moss having arrived a day early, kit prep took place at RAF Wittering. Expedition members were issued regulators, BCDs, masks, wetsuits, dive knives, fins, dive computers and grot bags. We met our four instructors Kev Jones, Mark ‘Misty’ Istance, Jim Metcalf and Sam Goodwin at RAF Brize
Exercise Ascension Endeavour – Cambridge University Air Squadron Read More »
Exercise Drakensberg Duke 2 saw 4 LANCS returning to South Africa for a second year, keen to test itself once again on some of the challenging trails of the Drakensberg Mountains in Kwa-Zulu Natal province, a World Heritage location. The expedition was led by me, Major Nick Kennon, with WO2 Richard Shipton as JSMEL and
Exercise Northern Drakensberg Duke 2 – 4 Lancs Read More »
