“The Dolomites was an experience I would do 100 times over and I am glad I had the opportunity to take part in it. Not only was the climbing fun and thrilling but the views were more beautiful than I could have imagined and when we were not climbing it was still a great experience and lots of fun to bond with new people and create stronger ones with the people I already knew”. Cdt LCpl Couling
For the second year Dorset ACF has returned from a successful Dolomites expedition. In fact, building on the success of last year, this one achieved even more! This year 9 Cadets and 3 CFAVs were split into three groups of 4.
The advance party left the UK on 14 August for the 2 day drive, broken by an overnight stop in Koblenz. They arrived at Camping Olympia, our home for the Exped on the evening of the 15th. The traffic doesn't get any better!
“I believe that the trip gave me the realisation on how fortunate we are and how much we take for granted on this planet. The trip also pushed me to my limits realising I did things I never thought I could have achieved. The trip gave me peace and time to think about how lucky we are to be here with priceless memories” Cdt Cpl Elkins
The morning of the 16th was spent establishing Camp, then in the afternoon a local single pitch crag was checked out. On the 17th the advance party checked out some multi-pitch routes in the Falzarego Pass. That evening the main body arrived. This year due to it being impossible to guarantee any MOD funding it was a low flying minibus for everyone. The Cadets established camp, were fed, briefed on the campsite then got their heads down.
The 18th dawned looking a bit showery. The rest of the briefs were given and equipment was issued. However it looked like the middle of the day would be dry so all the Cadets and instructors went to do the two waterfalls via ferratas just to the North of the campsite. These are relatively easy but spectacular and proved to be the ideal introduction.
“Something I would have never done myself. This trip has made me push myself to my limits and made me see what I can do . It was an experience I will never forget. Bonds forged with fellow Cadets over that week built stronger every day as well as with the instructors. Food was excellent and so was the accommodation and facilities”. Cdt Cpl Smith
With the weather looking brighter but agreeably cool, on the 19th group split with two of the groups doing the long and demanding Ferrata Giuseppe Olivieri. This is a spectacular route with a second easier via ferrata completing a circular route back to the lift down. The other group went to Cinque Torre and did rock climbing basics, intro to multi pitch climbing and abseil techniques.
On the 20th the groups changed over. One group doing the excellent Ferrata delhi Alpini and then walking to the top of Lagazuoi for spectacular views and equally spectacular apple strudel. 8 Cadets went to Cinque Torre and did the single pitch, multi pitch, abseiling intro.
On the 21st the whole group went to Cinque Torre. Cadets worked on learning to lead climb and the instructors ran a “shuttle service” taking pairs away to do a more demanding multi pitch climb. As all the multi pitch climbs at Cinque Torre require an abseil descent it made for some spectacular climbing.
On the 22nd 3 Cadets and one CFAV went with two instructors and did the 10 pitch Spigolo Alpini on Col d Bois. The other Cadets went to the Landro single pitch crag and worked on their leading skills.
The 23rd was the last day of activities so the Cadets were given a choice of activities within the limitation of instructor ratios. This worked out pretty well and to ensure an early finish all the activities took place on the Hexenstein. One group doing via ferrata, another multi pitch and another single pitch. Then it was into Cortina for well deserved gelato all round, then back to the campsite for post ex admin, then out for pizza!
Just a few stats. 51 “laps” of via ferratas, 96 pitches of single pitch climbing, 156 pitches of multi pitch climbing were completed over the course of the Exped.
“I really enjoyed the entire trip. It was such a good experience especially being out of the country for the first time. I am glad that I could do this trip as the last thing I do in the Cadets and I am happy it has ended on a high with a great experience I’ll always remember . The instructors were amazing with a variety of different instructors who made the trip even better than it already was. It has piqued my interest in a potential new hobby”. Cdt Sgt Murphy
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