Expedition Reports

In a challenging 6-day expedition along the river Harkan in Sweden, twelve members of Cambridge and London University Air Squadrons put their canoeing skills to the test, completing the foundational canoeing qualification and showcasing their survival abilities. Facing temperatures fluctuating between 0 to 12 degrees Celsius and occasional morning fog, the group embarked on a […]

In September, Southampton University Officer Training Corps (SUOTC) departed on an adventurous training exercise in Tyrol, Austria. Our team conducted a hut-to-hut hiking expedition from the 11th to the 19th of September. We chose the challenging Berlina High Trail route. The expedition aimed to push us as officer cadets beyond our comfort zone and discover

From the 1st – 9th September 2023, 12 Officer Cadets from the Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC), alongside a Ranger from 2nd Royal Irish and 3 Instructors, embarked on Exercise Northern Julische Alpine II (Ex NJA II) – a mountaineering expedition across Triglav National Park, Slovenia. Following the success of a similar expedition the

At 3am on the 14th of August, 11 Officer Cadets & Staff from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre and headed for Ex DOLOMITES BLUE: a two-week rock climbing and via ferrata adventurous training expedition in the Italian Alps. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Monday morning and landed in Calais

Exercise Dragon Czech Blue saw eight members of CUOTC embark on a climbing and via ferrata expedition to the north of the Czech Republic, embracing unfamiliar rock surfaces and pushing the boundaries of Army adventurous training, becoming the first climbing expedition to the Czech Republic. Indeed, AT has been a particularly prominent feature of the

Ex Sweden Dragon Blue Conducted during Cambridge OTCs jam-packed summer of AT expeditions, Ex Sweden Dragon Blue, organised by alumni Captain Loades-Bannon, along with WO2 Taylor and 7 Officer Cadets, embarked upon the challenge of completing a 245km segment of the infamous Kungsleden or “King’s Trail”. The first hurdle for us all was the 3-day

Following the completion of their challenging Annual Deployment Exercise (ADX), officer cadets from Cambridge UOTC left Cambridge Army Reserve Centre at 3am 9th July and headed for Ex CHAMONIX BLUE: a multi-sport, six-day adventurous training expedition in the French Alps. We arrived at Dover in the early hours of Sunday morning and landed in Calais

The aims of the expedition were to qualify 10 medically ratified personnel in the Regiment in the Summer Mountain Foundation course, and to enable 2 OCdts to gain 6 Quality Mountain Days, which can count towards their next qualification. It was a great success with all 10 participants achieving the qualification they were assessed at,

Over the summer 4 OCdts from ULOTC and 1 from GUOTC took part in Ex Highland Express 23, sailing through the Hebrides in Scotland. The crew sailed through stunning waters experiencing some challenging conditions that put their individual and combined skills to the test.  These OCdts, some of which were novices, developed their Offshore Sailing

Over the course of a week in August, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish and Ulster Gunners) and Exeter Officers’ Training Corps deployed to the Shetland Islands on Ex Tammie Norrie, an Adventurous Training (AT) expedition. Over the seven days, the three groups aimed to achieve one of the following qualifications; Rock Climbing Foundation Course

“Teamwork is certainly put to the test when living, sleeping and working within 34 foot of each other for a week” OCdt Oliver Irons In September 2023 five officer cadets and a member of staff from Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC) embarked on Exercise Highland Express. This military adventure training exercise is an annual

On 10 August 2023 eleven members of East Midlands Universities Officer Trg Corps (EMUOTC) began their journey to Wales in order to experience 8 days of mountain biking. For some in the group, this was their first time mountain biking on technical terrain, while for others it provided an opportunity for them to hone their

After finishing their training year at EMUOTC a group of Officer Cadets conducted an Adventure Training expedition in Snowdonia where they conducted training in scrambling, single and multi-pitch climbing. AIM. The expedition’s aim was to train and introduce Officer Cadets to single and multi-pitch rock climbing, alongside scrambling. This aimed to enhance their mental and

OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) have recently been undertaking a Single-Pitch Climbing foundation course in the Dolomites. Over 10 days, the group learnt the necessary skills to further develop their climbing repertoire, all within the scenic backdrop of the Italian Alps. Starting the week off as beginners, the OCdts were introduced to

From 8th to 17th August 2023, the North West Officer Training Regiment (NWOTR) embarked on Ex Northern Alpine, a klettersteig (Via-Ferrata) expedition in Bavaria. The Bavarian landscape, with its rugged terrain and spectacular vistas, set the stage for a new experience that blended physical challenges with personal growth for us. For many of us, it

Introduction: Ex WYVERN MIDGARD TRAVELLER provided the opportunity for individuals to participate in mountaineering and canoeing in the hills and fjords in the Setesdal Region of Norway as well as having the opportunity to attain a Summer Mountaineering Foundation (SMF) qualification and to deliver leadership and resilience training to OCdts and staff through a mixed

Over the course of two weeks in Kinlochleven, Scotland, OCdts from Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps (BUOTC) undertook various activities on the annual Adventurous Training Camp, Ex DRAGON SLIM LEVEN. With opportunities to obtain foundation qualifications in kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and mountaineering, as well as a group completing the West Highland Way and Mountain

For the second year running students and staff of Wales UOTC assembled at Maindy Barracks with the prospect of a week’s mountain biking in one of Europe’s premier MTB areas – the Port Du Soleil. The 20hr drive completed we arrived at our chalet – staff and students sorting out our unit bikes and a

Members of Yorkshire Officers Training Corps embarked on a thrilling kayaking and canoeing trip through the heart of the Ardèche, an experience that left everyone in awe of the region’s breath-taking beauty. Our journey began in the quiet village of La Gare, where we were equipped with paddles, life jackets and an eager spirit. However,

Ex Frosted piste was took place in Les Arcs, a Resort located in Savoie France within the Tarentaise Valley. Officer cadets took part in Ski Foundation (SF) courses of varying ability with many having not skied before and were based in the UCPA centre situated just outside of Arcs 1600. The SF2 course is an

On the 11th February 2023, the ‘advance party’ of officer cadets and staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps headed off on their long drive towards Calpe, arriving at our cabin the following afternoon. They carried all of the group’s personal and climbing kit ensuring that we weren’t restricted by weight through flight luggage allowances.

DAY 1:We had an early start travelling from Edinburgh to Oban. Once we got to the boats, we got kitted up and learnt about the boat and sailing fundamentals. After we set off, we went through some rough sailing. We practiced knot tying and attempted our first mooring at Lochaline. We finished the day with

Expedition Dragon Trident, organised by Kyle Munt and Logan Roots, was a 12-day adventurous training exercise where 10 Officer Cadets from East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – completed a sailing trip. The main aim of the expedition was to provide OCdts with sailing experience, that they could take forward in their logbooks for future

From the 14th to the 28th of August 2022, 10 students and 4 staff from Cambridge University Officer Training Corps took part in a hiking expedition, aiming to complete the famous Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB). Although in the end an outbreak of D & V among the team forced us to restructure our plans,

20 members of ULOTC recently took part in Ex Cockney Cragsman 22; OCdts achieved the Summer Mountaineering Foundation qualification by completing training on the Karwendel High Trail in Austria. These Officer Cadets, some of which were new to mountaineering, developed transferrable skills vital to both the Army and wider life such as leadership, problem solving,

Expedition Dragon Nessie’s Triad, organised by OCdts Madeleine Messenger and Ellen Bayne, consisted of a two-week Adventurous training exercise for 20 Officer Cadets at East Midlands University Officer Training Corps – a 5 day Mountain Bike Foundation (MBF) course and a 5-day Kayak Foundation course (K2F). The expedition had the main challenge of pushing Officer

Cambridge UOTC We arrived at our campsite in Corsica after a long thirty hour journey. Everyone was tired and already struggling with the intense heat, but we got cracking with the work quickly. Kit needed unloading from the vans and all the tents had to be unpacked before anyone could even think about relaxing or

26 members of Wales UOTC assembled on a pleasant Friday afternoon excited at the prospect of mountain biking in the French Alps and all looking forward to the 20 hour road trip to the Le Biot, our base for the trip. On arrival at Chalet Hugo the following day we had a few hours to

Exercise Dragon Ascent 22 – Tyrol, Austria – 1st to 14th August 2022 Officer Cadet Oliver Goldsack – Exercise ICExercise Dragon Ascent 22 was a 14 day adventurous training exercise which took place this summer in the Austrian Alps. On Monday 1st August, 12 Officer Cadets from East Midlands Universities Officer Training Corps left the

From the 23rd of August to the 3rd of September 2022, Officer Cadets from Birmingham UOTC deployed to the French Pyrenees to undergo a road cycling training camp. The team completed seven days of riding, cycling through the mountainous terrain and hot summer conditions of Southern France. They successfully completed five of the top ten