On 20th August 2013, a group of nine – OCdt Jarrold, OCdt Davies, OCdt White, OCdt Rangel, OCdt Reeve, OCdt Layton, 2Lt. Arnold, Capt. Storey and SSgt Milllson, of the Birmingham University Officers’ Training Corps set off from Birmingham. After 2 days of travelling, we found ourselves at Calenzana in Corsica ready to partake in Dragon Corsican Adventure. This Summer Alpine Adventurous Training (AT) expedition was conducted as a 2 week military exercise. The aim was to complete the GR20 Northern Route in 10 days. A Summer Mountain Foundation Course was concurrently run during the expedition for those group members who did not already hold the award.
The GR20 is well renowned for being considered the hardest walking trail in Europe, with a significant height gain and height loss on each stage. The route is based on the paths and tracks used by mountain shepherds and their livestock, and there are few villages and roads along the route.
Although the expedition members had varying fitness levels and walking experience, we were, on the whole, a robust group. Members were issued kit lists and were instructed to pack their rucksacks as light as possible, with an average of 15kg (excluding group equipment) while walking the route.
The group spent the nights camping outside the mountain refuges situated at intervals along the GR20 route. The refuges were well equipped with kitchens / dining rooms with tables, pot and pans, cutlery, crockery and basic gas cookers. In addition, there was always a designated water source for water replenishment. Toilets and showers (invariably cold) were primitive and there were occasionally queues in the evenings. Some refuges even supplied basic foodstuffs, such as cheese, meat and drinks albeit at prices far more expensive than those available on the high street. There were also opportunities to have lunch/breakfast stops or restock basic foodstuffs at local bergeries (working summer farms) along the route.
Most food while walking the route was purchased from the refuges that we stopped at each night. Breakfast usually consisted of locally procured bread with jam (occasionally replaced by cake or cereal), lunch being biscuits with dried bananas with the occasional pilchards with bread. Dinner generally consisted of Legume Soup Pasta (a rather experimentally delicious recipe invented by group members) with a modest serving of Corsican Sausage.
Water Replens were available at all Refuges either inside, or outside the building allowing the group to fill their CamelBaks every morning. Also there were some streams en route but most of them dried up in the summer.
Some parts of the walk were simply walking trails, even running along the level at times. Other parts crossed bare rock and involved some quite exposed scrambling. Many days featured unremitting ascents and scrambling across rocky mountain-sides, only to be faced with steep and rugged descents down the other side. The views from the gaps were exceptional: full of spires and towers of rock.
On completing the third day of walking we camped at Haut Asco, a ski- station, and the following day, took a slight detour from the GR 20 route to climb the highest mountain in Corsica, the Monte Cinto which rises to 2706m.
On the fifth day of walking we encountered the intimidating Cirque de la Solitude which involved traversing some exposed rocky recesses. This day allowed the group members who were slightly nervous about heights and exposure to build their confidence.
By day eight the group was feeling confident enough and combined two walking days which resulted in the completion of the route in 9 days. This allowed us to have three days of rest and recuperation in Ajaccio, visiting Napoleon’s ancestral home, dining at local restaurants and sun bathing on the beach, before making our way back to Birmingham.
The cadets showed courage, initiative and endurance throughout the expedition. It was immensely successful, challenging and this helped build teamwork and develop relationships among the participants. Important Adventure Training qualifications were also gained. It is hoped that many of the cadets that took part in the expedition will now go forward to do their mountain leader award. Thank you to the Ulysees Trust for the all the help and assistance to make the expedition a great success.
