Multi Activity, 'Cockney Trident Adventure', North Wales, Jul 2010, ID 985

151 (London) Transport Regiment

The chosen activities were Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Trekking, Canyoning, and a High Ropes confidence course. These did indeed produce the qualities we wanted to see from 151 Regiment soldiers.

The weekend started early for some after their long drive up to North Wales from the Greater London area, with Minibuses travelling from the various Territorial Army Centres that are part of 151 London Transport Regiment RLC (V). At the start of the day the Soldiers, who come from all walks of life, were standing on parade in anticipation of things to come. They were then put in their various groups and directed to their relevant activity under the guidance of the instructors: this is where the fun began.

Groups were driven to the Tree Tops Adventure, an outdoor pursuit’s activity centre where they were further split into 2 groups, one to take part in Canyoning and the other the High Ropes Course which is built high up in the surrounding forest. Prior to doing the Canyoning,  the volunteers had to don wetsuits, life preservers and safety helmets. To complete the course they had to climb up through a succession of rivers, very cold waterfalls and very wet and slippy rock faces. At various points along the arduous route they had to jump from a height into deep pools of water, a challenge, which for some was a bridge to far. The High Ropes found them hooked to a wire running around a very demanding obstacle course 50 feet above the surrounding area, culminating in a 100 foot swan dive from a very small platform attached to nothing but a fall arrestor. This put everyone well out of their comfort zone especially for those with a healthy fear for heights.

Other groups participated in rock climbing in the morning which found them overlooking Betws-y-Coed from a high while negotiating a demanding crag which tested everyone’s nerves, moral and physical courage. After lunch the groups swapped and mountain biked over the Penmachno Trail which is a 31 Km Red route (the hardest route). An indication of the difficulty showed when we returned the mountain bikes and 5 of the 12 turned out to be slightly worse for wear, while the soldiers themselves only suffered minor cuts and bruises. There were some whose pride took a dent as stories of them exiting stage left and right in to thorn bushes and trees were told later on.

While Trekking over Mount Snowdon, the arduous route over Crib-Coch could not be completed by most. However it is something the Permanent Staff (including a few TA soldiers) managed to complete during the week, The conditions were not ideal with high winds and low cloud cover, but never-the-less the group soldiered on and completed the Trek.

All in all it was an excellent week with people completing personnel goals and challenges in various activities. Without the support of the Ulysses Trust some of these activities could not have taken place for which 151 London Transport Regiment (V) are extremely thankful.

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