Mountaineering, 'Operation Hush', UK, May 2011, ID 1133

2443 (Okehampton) Squadron ATC

In 2009 cadets and staff from 2443 (Okehampton) Squadron ATC completed the National 3 Peaks challenge, climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales, all within 48 hours. It therefore seemed the next step to progress this to the National 4 peaks challenge, completing the 3 peaks challenge again but with the addition of Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland. The intention being to become the first ever air cadet team to undertake and complete the challenge within 48 hours. This would involved travel of over a thousand miles, ascent of around 4000metres and 42 kilometres of walking with little sleep in between.

After a year of planning, hard work, training and fundraising by the cadets, it was nearly time for the expedition to start. Fortunately, thanks to a grant from the RAF Charitable trust, the Squadron had previously been able to purchase sufficient outdoor equipment and clothing to issue to all the cadets to complete the trip. With the further assistance of the Ulysses trust this assisted in making the Operation Hush expedition possible.

With transport laden with clothing and equipment everyone set off to North Wales for the base camp for the week. The week started with a day on Tryfan in Snowdonia to prepare the cadets for the mountains which were considerably higher than those on Dartmoor they were used to!! The next day was spent indoor rock climbing to allow cadets to have a fully active week.

Monday came round far too soon and it was time to prepare for the actual challenge itself. The day started well when all the cadets were called into the briefing room and handed their goody bags for the trip containing some essentials which they knew nothing about. The thought of living out of minibuses for nearly 3 days was not appealing but the buses were loaded with all the equipment everyone required and after tea everyone piled into the buses for the journey to Scotland.

Suddenly it was really happening, the ferry ride and drive to Slieve Donard was fairly simple and before we knew it, after sleeping in the car park for an hour, it was time to start the challenge. Everything went well on Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, a beautiful sunny day with stunning views from the top. Before we knew it everyone was back at the ferry port and on the way back to Scotland.

After the next long drive everyone arrived in Fort William. Things were not looking good. The weather forecast which had been being watched intently for the last week forecast 80mph gale force winds on the top. A decision was made and the cadets were informed that for safety reasons the ascent of Ben Nevis would not be possible. Nevertheless, the group decided to climb to the loch at around the half way point before turning back. The weather was appalling but the cadets remained in high spirits despite knowing that the challenge was over.

Not wanting to be defeated by the weather, another long drive took everyone back to England where the group climbed Scafell Pike, fortunately, in slightly better weather although with no view from the top, everyone reached the car park again as it turned dark, with a hot meal waiting. Refreshed, it was time for the final drive to Snowdon and the final ascent. The summit was obtained in a cloud inversion as the morning broke to reveal another sunny day.

On return to base camp it was time for the first time in days to shower and go to bed and sleep. Later that day presentations were made to all who undertook the challenge.

The cadets who undertook the challenge all excelled themselves. Their disappointment in not being able to complete the challenge did not get in their way and they still went on to climb the remaining mountains. It was still an incredible achievement for any group, particularly a group of teenagers, many of whom had never been higher than Dartmoor before. The trip enhanced their love of the outdoors and developed them as a group.

Whilst the decision to not complete Ben Nevis was extremely difficult to make, safety had to come first, the mountains will be there another year, and so will the staff and cadets of 2443. There is no stopping them now! Who knows what 2012 will bring...

We are very grateful for the support provided by the Ulysses Trust and the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust which made the trip possible.

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