Trekking, 'Dolomite Dragon', Dolomites, Cortina, Jun 2009, ID 759

37 Signal Regt

Dolomite Dragon was a small expedition from 37 Signal Regiment (37SR) to the Italian Dolomite Mountains in the area of Cortina d’Ampezzo. It was led by 2Lt Evans, and backed up by SNCO SSgt Abbott, both of whom are Joint Service Mountain Expedition Leaders (JSMELs). The exercise aimed to boost navigational and leadership skills not only in the mountains but on return to the Squadrons. In total 16 troops participated in the expedition.

The expedition phase of the exercise included 10 good walking days which varied from long, demanding routes that had early start times and late finishes, to shorter routes which included more intense navigational awareness and teaching of mountain skills but allowed a certain amount of rest for the muscles. These days are just as important as the physically harder days because not all teaching can be done whilst trekking. Lectures were also given in the evenings to aid the knowledge that was learnt during the days and increase the participants’ mountain awareness.

On the final day of the trekking phase of the expedition, each group was given a short (10km) route to navigate without their group JSMELs to confirm their navigational skills, and build cohesiveness as a team without a set commander. This conveniently ended at a crystal clear lake in which all team members were encouraged to cool off.

All members of the expedition achieved the Summer Mountain Proficiency (SMP) qualification, which allows them to walk in groups of a minimum of 6 members anywhere in the world beneath the snow line.

For rest exercises, visits were made to the town of Innsbruck in Austria (on which we found that most place were closed on a Sunday!!); a World War 1 (WW1) cemetery at Monte Piana, near Dobbiaco; WW1 trenches at Falzarego and Cinque Torri; and a day trip to Venice to see the fine architecture and culture of one of Europe's most famous cities. These visits all added to the overall awe of the expedition and making it much more than just a trekking exercise.

The expedition was a huge success with all members gaining life experience of a new area, a new culture and what the Territorial Army can give them for their hard service. Many Thanks are given to those providing funds for the expedition, which includes Ulysses Trust, RFCA (WM), RFCA (Gla), 5 Div, R Sigs SOinC and 37SR. Also many thanks to SSgt Abbott who was of huge assistance to the expedition leader in planning and carrying out the expedition.

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