SNOWDON SUMMIT
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Air Cadet Organisation 204 Lincoln squadron decided to set themselves a hard challenge to climb the three highest mountains in the country also known as the 3 peaks challenge . After a hard filtering process six cadets and staff were selected for training which took place in the Wolds of Lincolnshire to build up stamina and go through expedition training over the last few months leading up to the challenge which took place last week.
SCAFFELL START
A support team of four Air Cadet volunteer instructors and one Royal Air Force Mountain Leader set of for Ben Nevis with a very apprehensive but excited team, travel to the first accommodation hostel was long and the drivers had to swap regularly ensuring the morale of the team was at its highest with some cheesy sing along songs.
On arrival at Fort William respects were paid and a wreath laid at the commando memorial with the daunting peak in the distance, following a brief visit to base camp at the foot of the Ben it was time to head off for some traditional haggis and chips which the team ate in glorious sunshine.
The first climb soon came around seeing the team at the start after a hot breakfast at 07.00 and they set of in high spirits up the mountain reaching the summit in good time with amazing weather the views were fantastic, after a short break the descent started and the team arrived safely back to a hot meal at 14.05 .After foot care and a quick change the support team started an epic journey to the lake district which was harrowed by road closures and traffic making the journey a massive 9 hours . The cadets were welcomed to Inskip cadet centre and got straight to bed ready for another early start.
Ben Nevis Summitt
Day 2 and an early start again after breakfast prepared by the support team and a two and a half hour trip to Wass water saw the team start their climb at 08.20 reaching the top and once again stunning views at ten past eleven .The team made it back down to base camp by 14.20 and asked if they could have a paddle in the crystal clear lake to ease their feet which the support staff made happen. Off back to Inskip for stay 2 and a nice healthy meal was greatly received at a local restaurant, followed by an early night.
The final day of slog 75 was to be one filled with excitement and hurdles which the support team dealt with to get the team to pen y pas Snowdonia as soon as they could. A later start on this mountain again in great weather saw the team depart at ten o’clock up the pig pass to the summit which was very busy as was the descent unbeknown to the climbers the support team were really busy back at base camp supporting the police and air ambulance with an accident involving a cyclist ,but were back to greet the team back to base camp with a hot meal and a change it was off back to Lincoln arriving back at ten o’clock.
The team completed this massive achievement and should be really proud of themselves and the money they have raised for charity which amounts to just under £2000.00. Sincere thanks go to RAF SGT RICHARD IZBISTER who without the expedition would not have been possible.
The team excluding one RAF veteran were aged between 13 and 16 and all come from Lincoln .Cadet Enright said this was one of the best experiences she has had in her 3 years of being with 204 sqn and felt really proud that the whole team nicknamed ‘contact mango’ made it. The support team made up of Flt lt Murfin, WO Saxby and Civilian instructor Mrs. B Murfin said they were really proud to assist in this mammot