February half-term provided the time required for 14 cadets from all 3 services of the RGS Guildford CCF to attend the contingent’s annual Winter AT based in Bavaria. The cadets were accompanied by 3 officers from the Contingent.
The cadets arrived in a very green and relatively warm Sonthofen as, like most part of the Alps, there had been no snow for over 30 days and spring conditions had prevailed. Reassured by the officers that this was not a problem, the cadets spent the first day alpine skiing at the Nebelhorn. Being the highest ski area in the resort there was plenty of snow on the pistes and the boys used this to good effect, getting their ski legs back. Moving from the mid-station to the upper station after lunch allowed the skiers to develop their skills on the steep and icy terrain.
Days 2 and 3 saw the boys planning and then carrying out a snow-shoe expedition to the hut run by the Kempton branch of the Naturfreund association. The 600 m ascent, through the woods, proved physically challenging to some members of the group, but all persevered and made it to the hut via a small peak on the way. Following this, snow shoe skills on steep terrain were practised before the expedition, lit by flaming torches, was completed after nightfall.
The following day consisted of a descent to Alpsee with the final part of the journey in the alpine rollercoaster.
The next day, the team awoke to 1 ½ feet of fresh snow down to village level. The blizzard continued for the whole day making the Lanlaufing at the Fellhorn particularly challenging. A mini-exped up the valley was completed, as well as several rounds of "ski ball", which was enjoyed by all.
The final two days were spent alpine skiing on the Fellhorn. The snow off-piste was light and many powdery descents of the bowl were completed before the team were challenged to an emergency shelter competition. Quincies, snow caves, graves and scrapes were built by the groups, using the information provided in the previous evening’s lecture.
The team members performed well and rose to the physical and mental challenges provided by the week.
Thanks to Glyn Shepperd, Claudia Geitner and Sam Burns from PointVenture for their excellent tuition and also to the Ulysses trust for their generous support of the activity, without which, it could not take place.