Led by Corporal Milan Tamang (Summer Mountain Leader), Exercise MOUNT RAMBLERS was a five-day expedition undertaken in Eryri National Park, Wales, which concluded with gaining Summer Mountain Foundation (SMF) qualifications. The exercise set out to encourage and improve leadership and planning in a taxing environment, through controlled exposure to and acceptance of risk.
The team operated from Capel Curig Training Camp, in Wales, where the accommodation and catering were provided. The expedition itself was progressive. The first two days we acquainted ourselves with the environment. We enhanced our navigational skills on mountainous terrain and conducted confidence-building tasks, developing our roping and river-crossing skills. On the third day we hiked to CWM Idwal, following the footsteps of the first summiteers of Mount Everest, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, and Sir Edmund Hilary, as it was one of their training grounds. On the final day, we climbed Mount Snowdon (1085m), the highest peak in Wales, to culminate our expedition.
We all gained valuable experience, leadership skills, planning development, and new skills in a challenging environment. It was a pleasant moment to see ITC instructors and permanent staff in different roles from their normal jobs. Relishing the experience and learning new skills as students. It has certainly enhanced our initiative, communication skills, self-reliance, and teamwork.
By Corporal Biswas Nugo, Gurkha Company Catterick
