February half-term provided the time
required for 14 cadets from all 3 services of the RGS Guildford CCF to attend
the contingent’s annual Winter AT based in Bavaria. The cadets were
accompanied by 3 officers from the Contingent.
The cadets arrived in a very green and
relatively warm Sonthofen as, like most part of the Alps, there had been no snow
for over 30 days and spring conditions had prevailed. Reassured by the officers
that this was not a problem, the cadets spent the first day alpine skiing at the
Nebelhorn. Being the highest ski area in the resort there was plenty of snow on
the pistes and the boys used this to good effect, getting their ski legs back.
Moving from the mid-station to the upper station after lunch allowed the skiers
to develop their skills on the steep and icy terrain.
Days 2 and 3 saw the boys planning and
then carrying out a snow-shoe expedition to the hut run by the Kempton branch of
the Naturfreund association. The 600 m ascent, through the woods, proved
physically challenging to some members of the group, but all persevered and made
it to the hut via a small peak on the way. Following this, snow shoe skills on
steep terrain were practised before the expedition, lit by flaming torches, was
completed after nightfall.
The following day consisted of a
descent to Alpsee with the final part of the journey in the alpine rollercoaster.
The next day, the team awoke to 1 ½
feet of fresh snow down to village level. The blizzard continued for the whole
day making the Lanlaufing at the Fellhorn particularly challenging. A mini-exped
up the valley was completed, as well as several rounds of "ski ball",
which was enjoyed by all.
The final two days were spent alpine
skiing on the Fellhorn. The snow off-piste was light and many powdery descents
of the bowl were completed before the team were challenged to an emergency
shelter competition. Quincies, snow caves, graves and scrapes were built by the
groups, using the information provided in the previous evening’s lecture.
The team members performed well and
rose to the physical and mental challenges provided by the week.
Thanks to Glyn Shepperd, Claudia
Geitner and Sam Burns from PointVenture for their excellent tuition and also to
the Ulysses trust for their generous support of the activity, without which, it
could not take place.