1051 – ‘Northern Wanderer’ – Norway

Exercise Northern Wanderer conducted by Tayforth University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) was both ambitious and challenging in scale and scope. The exercise took place above Rjukan in the Telemark region of Norway over the period 3rd January to 10th February 2011 and drew Officer Cadets from St Andrews, Dundee, Stirling and Abertay Universities. Two separate packages of 17 and 18 days provided consolidated instruction for a total of 75 personnel. According to adventurous training experts, it has been many years since such a range of activities has taken place over such a duration. The exercise was an unqualified success with all of the aims being achieved. The participants overcame difficult challenges, had fun, and most importantly returned home safely.

The aim of the exercise was to promote leadership skills and individual development through a varied programme of Alpine, Nordic and Ski Touring in an arduous environment. This stretched the students both physically and mentally. The ski touring element of the exercise was carried out on the Hardangervidda Plateau, an area renowned for Antarctic and Arctic training of this sort. The area was also made famous by the ‘Heroes of Telemark’ through their exploits in a second world war sabotage operation against the heavy water factory at Vemork and this provided an excellent opportunity to introduce a military theme to the trip which widened appreciation of both the history of the area and the nature of skiing that we practiced. At the most basic level, the intention was that every student would have the opportunity to gain a basic or advanced proficiency award in each of the ski disciplines as part of the Joint Services Adventure Training Scheme.

The first half of each package comprised a rotation of Alpine and Nordic instruction that was aimed at developing the necessary skills of navigation, teamwork, survival and control on the skis to prepare students for the ski tour. These early stages were memorable for all, particularly those who had never put on a pair of skis before or built a snow hole. There were many falls; some spectacular, some hair-raising, and many quite hilarious! The Nordic Proficiency courses culminated with an individual night race around a 5 kilometre circuit and with a group patrol race around a more extensive course with checkpoints along the way that tested observation, knowledge and how to deal with a casualty. Both events proved to be highly competitive.

The latter part of each package further prepared the students for the ski tour which was to come in the final week. Several days of shorter ventures were conducted within the surrounding area, followed by instruction on planning and leading such activities. Differing snow and weather conditions throughout the stay led to changing the planned tours. The Hardangervidda Plateau was unusually bereft of snow for this time of year, and fairly wind-scoured. The threat of strong winds, the most dangerous element, was ever present. However, each group completed a mix of longer, overnight and shorter more technical tours carrying loads upwards of 20kg, sometimes in extreme weather conditions. Some of the groups were very pleasantly surprised by the homely nature of the accommodation to be found on the Plateau, courtesy of the Norwegian Tourist Hut (DNT) system, especially after a 17km uphill approach ski!

Each package held a Burn’s Supper, which drew healthy attendance from local Norwegian and Danish ski staff, dignitaries and newspapers. The Tayforth UOTC Pipes and Drums Band played at the second function on 25th January and the standard of music, speeches and poetry was high indeed, proving extremely popular and memorable for all. The meal was also a welcome break from the daily domestic routine back at the kitchen where all the groups would come together in the evening to share their experiences for the day and take it in turns to try and make a meal far superior to the one the night before – theory and practice proved to be very different! Each package concluded with a superb meal and social evening; marking the end of a once in a lifetime trip that the officer cadets and staff will surely never forget. The dinners included awards for various achievements of the trip, ranging from most improved skiers to the wooden spoon award, as well as a party afterwards which proved why dancing should be restricted to the under 30s!

Apart from the physical and mental challenges faced during the activities, the most perplexing problems to overcome were cost, administration and logistics. To make the trip affordable Tayforth UOTC is especially grateful to various benefactors including The Ulysses Trust, without whom it is unlikely the trip would have succeeded. The 3 day road trip either side of the skiing with 2 overnight ferry crossings, far too much fast food, navigational embarrassments and journeying through 5 European countries (planned, not accidental!) required incredible patience and stamina! We were also lucky to have been loaned ski equipment from the pool at Bicester, which saved us a fortune in Norway. The small administrative team were the real stalwarts of the trip, continuously working hard for 39 days.

The bias towards racing, competitions and touring was successful and the consolidated period of instruction was so much better than the usual week’s dash to the Alps. Programme fillers comprising of igloo building, practical chinese puzzles, command tasks, axe-throwing, film nights, games nights and lectures about the sabotage operation against the heavy water plant rounded each package off nicely.

Overall the trip was a huge success and the enthusiasm of everybody involved was good to see. Much was learned all round from the fantastic team of experienced instructors and staff on the trip; each with a wealth of experience in both skiing and service life, which they aptly demonstrated on the slopes, tracks and fjells during the day; in the evening lectures; and, of course, in the bar at night. As a result, every officer cadet on the trip passed the practical tests and written exams to gain basic or advanced proficiency awards and most enjoyed a tour on the Plateau.