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9th-12th-Lancers - Year 1986 - Page 0097

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Regiment 9th/12th Lancers
Year 1986
Transcription THE 9TH/lZTH ROYAL LANCERS REGIMENTAL JOURNAL
The volcano erupting. This photograph was taken from four miles away
Capt Nigel Stafford with a yellow fin Tuna, and a friend
a 13.500 high volcano. It is the largest
volcano in the world, and is still active.
The forty mile round-trip takes five
days. After extensive preparation. I
made a solo attempt. and climbed up in
nine hours. and down in six.
0n mother occasion, it was arranged
for us to work at the site of an old Haw-
aiian Temple run by the Park Service.
As our suntan: became darker, we were
taught many native crafts and then had
to wear loincloths to demonstrate such
skills as basket-weaving from coconut-
fronds; how to paddle traditional dug-
out outrigger canoes, to obviously gul-
lible tourists. They really did believe we
were natives. until they heard our no
cents ..... !
My duties included the day to day
leadership of the Venturers, as the
Phase Leader remained to the rear mn-
ning the administration Two, other
groups joined us, one having sailed soon
miles from Panama in a Brigantine Sail-
ing Ship. l wu the Medical Officer for
fifty people, having received training in
Expedition Medicine before leaving
London. Armed with a comprehensive
selection of drugs and equipment,
morning and evening ‘Surgery' was an
important part of the daily routine.
although fortunately no serious problems
were encountered. A typical day began
at 0530. and work started at 0730.
Base Camp was a deserted and remote
ranch house — once very comfortable.
but now lacking electricity and running
watert Cooking was done centrally by
changing (inexperienwd) cooks. Winter
weight sleeping bags were necessary at
night as the ranch was 3000 feet above
sea level.
A volcano some five miles away
erupted quite regularly once a month.
Mountains of red lava were thrown high
into the sky, and were visible from 40
or 50 miles at night, it was an awe~
inspiring sight. and the deep roar of the
volcano could clearly be heard from
base camp.
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