Exercise Bavarian Wanderer was a multi activity training exercise, based at Drei Muhlen lodge in the wonderful German Bavarian Alps. The aim of the exercise was to build on the training which the 24 Officer Cadets had undertaken throughout the year, building on physical robustness, team work, exercise planning and self confidence. All of these aims were easily attained.

The exercise was split into phases, with some of the team being fortunate to undertake a week long kayaking proficiency course with Jan, one of the centres civilian instructors. This was tremendous training, teaching the team to control their boats on calm lakes and fast flowing rivers. The week began learning the basics, righting capsized boats, and paddling the boats on the calm water of the water-ski lake. But it wasn't long before the team was soon paddling their way down the fast flowing River Iller, increasing in skill and confidence each passing day. They so impressed their instructor that he was heard to comment at the end of an arduous twenty km paddle, "best group ever". High praise indeed.

The other groups undertook a round robin of Rock Climbing, Hill Walking and Klettersteiging, which some may know as Via Ferratta. All three of these activities challenged in their own way.

The hill walking phase was very demanding, as the routes which Paul Conroy chose, began with a steep climb at the start, and never seemed to stop. Route one was a cheeky walk up Grunten, which was ascended through beautiful alpine meadows, with dairy cows meandering through them, causing some alarm to Lucy Upton and Jessica Caldwell. The trek finished at a memorial to German troops from the world wars and overlooked fantastic views over the area. Route two was another big ascent up the Ribehorn. Once again it was a whole lot of up, over testing terrain, which went over very narrow ledges and difficult rock scrambles, to successfully ascend the summit. The third route was up Niberhorn, which again proved to be an extremely arduous day, with some nerve jangling precipices, all the way up to the high peaks with the large crosses which this region is famous for, and then back down the for a well deserved beer.

Nick Humpheries and Rhys Howell-Walmsley looked after the rock climbing, and over the course of the six days they certainly put the teams through their paces on the rock faces, in the local area around Fussen and Sonthofen. These ranged from easy first climbs, getting everyone into the swing of things, working up to some more taxing climbs, which required a high degree of technical ability. Unfortunately, the weather was not always suitable, and this meant that some of the groups had to use the indoor climbing wall. This did not detract significantly from the aims of the exercise or the enjoyment of the boys and girls undertaking the trip.

The last challenge the team faced was two days of Klettersteiging, which no one had undertaken before. Imagine a hill walk, with some high crags and rock faces, which require the use of wire ropes hammered into the rocks to be able to reach the summit. This was extremely hard, not only on the nerves but on the hands and legs as well, as the ropes cut into the hands and the hot ropes burnt through the gloves. The groups were fortunate indeed to have the use of one of the expert civilian mountain guides for these days. Unfortunately, there were some rain days, and on these the group had some wonderful instruction on the indoor climbing walls.

As well as the adventure training the groups were able to have a day exploring Neuschwanstein castle, famously used in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Fortunately we did not see the child catcher. As well as this we were able to spend a weekend in the beautiful city of Munich, with its fantastic markets, museums and restaurants. Not forgetting the world famous Hofbrauhaus Beer Keller, which we may have spent an hour or two in.

All those who undertook this fantastic trip would like to thank the Ulysses Trust, without whose support it would have been far more difficult to have undertaken this experience which expanded all who undertook it.

For further information please contact Major Kiev O’Neill (mercury1517@yahoo.co.uk)