Ex SCARLET MOHICAN was a two week hiking expedition in the USA, along the Appalachian Trail through New York and New Jersey States. This remote trail runs approximately 2500 kilometres North-South through the wilderness of the eastern states; though there are towns and villages along the trail, which offer a warm and friendly greeting to hikers. A large part of the route travelled on the expedition is heavily forested; so the trail, well marked though usually narrow, plunges through thick undergrowth often enclosed on all sides by trees. However the route also takes in some stunning vistas from the heights that it scales and when it breaks out of the forest to viewpoints the rolling valleys, ridges and small mountain ranges as far as the eye can see are beautiful. The expedition aimed to introduce junior members of the Regiment to adventure training in a setting that was both challenging, for the level of experience, as well as interesting. Many of the group had never been on an expedition like this before and some had never even been to the USA before.
4th Regiment, Royal Military Police is a hybrid unit, with the bulk of its manpower being Reserve, so it is very widespread across the UK. This meant that the first time that most of our group could meet together was on the trip admin day, the day prior to departure, for a bit of group physical training, briefs and kit handout, with a nice little social event in the evening for everyone.
The group departed the UK on the 11th of August for New York City, landing at JFK International airport. Unfortunately there were problems on arrival, with three bags containing equipment (including the group leader’s), not arriving in New York. With no idea of when the missing bags would turn up, the decision was made to send the group (minus the three whose kit had not arrived) onto the trail as planned, under the group second in command. The remaining three would follow on as soon as they were able. The bags later turned up on the evening of the 13th and the group reunited on the trail on the 15th.
Apart from a snap thunderstorm on the first night, the weather was beautiful and our luck held; with nothing but clear skies and sunshine for the remainder of the trip. Though hot, the shade, a welcome breeze and the cover of trees made the temperature manageable. Water consumption was high and each man carried 5 litres of water, resupplied by portable water filters on the trail. The group stayed at trail shelters which are spaced a day’s hike apart and feature a privy and nearby water sources and which made the journey more comfortable.
The trail overall was quite rugged, with patches of rocky ground making the going more demanding. The physical effort was more of a struggle for some than others, though overall it was about the right difficulty level for the group. The only requirements were physical determination and a degree of common sense, both of which trained soldiers should possess. The soldier’s ability to find food was also put to good use as we discovered a Domino’s pizza store in a nearby town that would deliver to a road near one of the trail shelters the group was staying at, thus setting the scene for a feast of pizza that night.
The group covered approximately 70 miles of trail over 11 days. The weight of equipment carried, the rugged and rocky ground as well as a few injuries that were picked up contributed to the party not travelling as far as was hoped. The group eventually came off the trail near the New York/New Jersey state border, where transport was arranged back to the city, arriving back in New York City on the afternoon of the 23rd. For the next 2 days, an R&R period had been scheduled to give individuals some time to take in the city and have some fun. The group reassembled on the 26th for the flight out; tired but having experienced a unique and interesting viewpoint of America, one which a very small number of determined hikers get to see.
The Appalachian Trail is a unique and accessible challenge, with something for the most novice to the most experienced hiker. Overall the expedition was a unique and enjoyable experience, which surprised, educated and challenged individuals by turn.
R Green, Capt, 4 RMP
