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Trekking, 'London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa', South Africa, Jul 2009, ID 791

London Wing - ATC

In what was undoubtedly the challenge of a lifetime, the 16 cadets and 6 staff spent 5 days completing the arduous 71km unsupported trek through the isolated region of the Drakensberg Mountains, the highest mountain range in South Africa - during their winter - where temperatures dropped as low as -15ºC at night!

The team travelled to Sani on the border of Lesotho and South Africa to start the trek. "From Sani we traveled by road up to Sani Lodge, which is at the top of Sani Pass. We gained a 1000m in height over a short 2km which took us up to nearly 3000m. As a result of the height, we were soon panting like we were running a marathon, not hiking on a trek!

In the course of the massive 71.6km trek, the cadets travelled from the Sani Pass, through the Pholela Valley to the Rhino Peak (3056m) where they were treated to stunning views. The group also climbed Tsepeng (3431m), – a seldom visited corner of Lesotho – before finishing off in the culturally and historically rich area of the Bushman’s Nek pass.

The trek was extremely challenging and was a test of fitness, technical ability, equipment, endurance, determination and teamwork. The preparation over the preceding 12 months had been robust – with the group completing practice expeditions in Sussex, the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District - which stood them in good stead for the actual trek. Each member of the team carried over 22kg of equipment and food. 

After completing the trek the team kicked back a little for their second week in South Africa by flying to Port Elizabeth to travel by road along the famous Garden Route to Cape Town. Along the way the cadets engaged in various outward bound activities including zip-line tours and caving before ending in Cape Town to visit Table Mountain which overlooks the city, where the team experienced more stunning panoramic views. Finally the group visited the prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandella was held during the infamous period of Apartheid - this was a truly moving experience for the whole group.

The ethos of the initial planning was to undertake a physically demanding trek, and the whole expedition was summed up by Cadet Sergeant Ette Armstrong (17) from 48F (Hampstead) Squadron, a veteran of numerous Nijmegen marches; “I enjoyed the expedition enormously, despite the fact that the trek was more taxing than I had anticipated. It was extremely arduous, both physically and mentally, but at the same time very rewarding. The sense of isolation was immense and the beauty of the mountain landscape was astounding. I really appreciated the teamwork when things got tough - everyone pulled together to support each other. We were given the opportunity to take part in some really exciting activities such as the zip wire tour, and saw some beautiful scenery on our drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. I feel that I was very lucky to be chosen to take part in the expedition and I am sure it is something that I will remember for the rest of my life”.

The group would like to thank Cotswold Outdoor, the Ulysses Trust and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) and Mr Tony Edwards for their generous support of the trip which enabled it to happen.

The Ulysses Trust is very grateful for the support for this expedition from the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

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London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa/Cadets on the trek meeting villagers in Lesotho. They gave children (and adults) sweets - a rare treat. London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa/The fast team with the mountains of Drakesberg in the distance. London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa/Cadets (L to R) Cpl Sarah Hirst (6F Romford), Cpl Shona Main (344 Fulham) and Cpl Leo Blowers (56 Woolwich) on a peak in the Drakensberg Mountains at approx 3100m. London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa/Sgt T’Laina Johnson from 50F (Lambeth) sqn about to take the leap. London Wing Air Cadets - South Africa/At the finish, everyone is very smelly and looking forward to a cup of tea and a shower after trekking for 5 days.