On the 27th August 2013, 14 members of Exeter University Officer Training Corps (EUOTC) embarked upon an adventurous training exercise; Ex GIANT TIGER (Ex GT), mountaineering in the Jotunheimen Region of Norway. There were two main aims of Ex GT: firstly to develop navigation and self reliance skills in arduous unfamiliar terrain whilst challenging the team both mentally and physically through the Norwegian elements. Secondly, to summit the highest mountain in Northern Europe, Galdhopiggen at 2469m and its sister Glittertind at 2465m.

Of the fourteen who set out from Exeter, 12 were Officer Cadets of EUOTC (JUOs Margetts, Simon, Brady, Bowen, Joyce, Wadsworth and OCdts Jolley, Fyfe, Capper, Jones, Taylor, Mcloughlin). Two Mountain Leaders (MLs) travelled as part of the team, JUO Clarke of Wales UOTC and Bbr Lamb of 201 (Herts and Beds Yeomanry) Parachute Battery.

The team travelled from Exeter to Dover, across the Channel by ferry and then proceeded through Europe to Norway, a total of eight countries in two days. We immediately began to face challenges, primarily the robbery of several of the team’s passports and personal items in Gothenburg, Sweden. However once we overcame the problems that faced us, we arrived, tired but healthy in Skjolden, Norway, our base camp for the duration of the expedition.

The mountaineering tackled during the trip provided the opportunity to improve the leadership and navigation skills of the entire group due to the inhospitable nature of the terrain. Because of unseasonable weather conditions the routes of the first hike changed considerably so that to compensate, the group summitted Fanaraki, 2068m; a local peak surrounded by stunning views of glaciers stabbing through the clouds.

Exeter UOTC reached the summit of Galdhopiggen (the tallest mountain in Northern Europe) on 7/9/13 a height of 2469m surrounded by dense cloud with visibility down to 10m. Unfortunately the team was unable to climb Glittertind due to the snow conditions on the summit. Instead, the team set out on a 45km hike through the national park encircled with a vista of beautiful mountain ranges, made that little bit sweeter by gorgeous weather.

Overall Ex GT was a major success; we encountered difficulties which we overcame, allowing us to proceed with the more important task of challenging ourselves with some proper adventurous training. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ulysses Trust whose generous support enabled this expedition to happen.