9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1985 - Page 0089
Image details
| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 1985 |
| Transcription |
THE 9TH/lZTH ROY AL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL Exercise McCarthy Diamond — An Arctic Apprenticeship An expedition team consisting of one officer and 7 soldiers spent over l‘/z months retracing the steps of the early 20th century explorers in North America. Over 400km of icefield and mountain were traversed, many previously unclimbed peaks scaled and over ll days of Arctic Storm experienced. We explored an area of thc Yukon that is relatively unknown. The Arctic conditions and the close proximity of the Pacific give rise to some of the worst weather conditions in the world. An environment of extremes prevails. only comparable with conditions met at higher levels in the Himalayas. The expedition team flew into Calgary on 9th May to the warmth of a Canadian summer. Two days were spent organising freight and logistical details and on 11th May the team started the 30mm journey along the notorious Alaska Highway. in an exhausting two days. driving day and night along dirt and aggregate roads across the frozen north. we reached Whitehorse. the capital of the Yukon. Here sledges and last minute provisions were purchased (including the inevitable peanut-butter) and last postcards sent. Illcl lt‘lull \\.|\l(\ .»llltt’\ll1\tt\ On our arrival in Kluane. 250 miles north of Whitehorse. a base camp was positioned at the Slims River on the southern bank. and recce trips made S.W. up the river to find routes suitable for the first stage of the walk-in. Great diligence, and careful planning were needed at every level. Local inhabitants informed us with glee of a strange unknown British Military unit. called BAOR. who had previously sent an expedition into the interior and which had quickly come to grief. We immediately assumed the pseudonym of “The Rochdale Climbing and Mountaineering Club”. with Sgt Marshall posing as a telephone engineer. Cpl Bazely an electrician. and Cpl Brice selling something to do with cars. much to the amusement of the students at the Arctic Institute of N. America. to whom the disguise was transparent. A great friendship with the Institute blossomed. they provided great support throughout the long months on the ice. and a marvellous "welcome back party" on our return. The first problem was to traverse over 30kms of uncharted dense Alpine forest. crossing massive detrital alluviel firs. and fast-flowing rivers to the main river channel of the Slimst Which apparently had to be crossed to reach the head of the glacier. The forest was virtually impenetrable in places, forcing us onto the river valley mud flats. where mosquitoes attacked furiously. and large pools ofquicksand caught us unaware. The river channel fluctuated throughout the day from a main channel of l - 2km. to a massive 5km barrier. due to fluctuating run-off and melt on the ice»cap above. We were all thoroughly conversant and knowledgeable about the forms of wild animals that we might encounter. and what to do in the event of an attackll Though the advice given (to lie face down on the ground. and play dead in the face of a charge of 4501b grizfly) would certainly need that good old British stiff upper lip self—discipline. Sgt Marshall became known as ‘impi/ Tracker Marsh’. due to his great agility and ability to find the largest and freshest grizzly prints. which very often dwarfed into insignificance his meagre 11'/2 boot print. Tpr Henderson should also be commended for his bravery being the junior trooper on the team. and playing an extremely important role of point man in the patrol. |
| Title |