“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
Exercise Northern Alpinista – Leeds University Officers’ Training Corps Read More »
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
Ex Dragon Diver 2 – British Army Read More »
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
Exercise Tiger Soar 15 – Army Gliding Association Read More »
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 »
