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Leader Magazine
SPRING 1962.
WINTER WONDERLAND.
Everyone has been intrigued this term by notices in Orders, and by lists on notice-boards, featuring the names of Junior Leaders bound for a course on ski-ing and winter warfare. Military enthusiasts have been looking up the history of ski-borne soldiery, and speculating on the tactical possibilities, whilst the more pleasure-bent have been seen scanning breathtaking photographs of Winter Sportsmen. Scotland was named as the location for the courses (the first was to be followed by others) and our band of resident Scots - we had never quite realised before just how many were here - was sought out to give detailed answers to a host of questions. To put in perspective some of their more outrageous answers, we have below a report from the first course.
The journey to Scotland was made in adverse weather, and over very bad road conditions, but bad weather for motorists is not necessarily bad for skiers, and here is how they found things:
A REPORT FROM SCOTLAND
On Sunday, 25th February, 1962 the Regimental Sign of the All Arms Junior Leaders' Regiment was nailed to the Norwegian Hut at Glenmore, Scotland. Ski training had begun!
Course A, from 'B' and 'C' Companies, arrived the same evening and were fitted with skis and boots. The morning of Monday the 26th broke with snow falling and a strong, cold wind. Undeterred by this, first lessons commenced on the nursery slopes, and cries of " Bend your knees I" and " Top shoulder forward " echoed over the slopes of Cairngorm. By mid-day most of us could stand up, and some were able to move forward without falling. But what sore legs and ankles we had that night!
Tuesday morning saw the Commandant visiting us bright and early and watching classes on the slopes. By evening most of us were getting our ski-legs. Progress continued, but with occasional disappearances of some unfortunates over the side of the hill, generally on their sterns! It was all great fun and the soreness soon began to wear off.
WHITE-OUT ON THE CAIRNGORM
At last the day came when the course ascended Cairngorm Mountain on the chair lift, but to find a blizzard blowing. Compasses were produced and undaunted we set off through the blinding snow to a sheltered bowl-shaped piece of perfect powder snow. Lessons in stem-turning and tide-slipping were carried out and the party returned through worsening conditions, on a compass bearing. Visibility was approximately four yards, and most members of the party experienced "white-out" at this stage and found difficulty in maintaining balance and direction. The compass led us back to the lift safely and soon we were home to a hot meal and warm fire.
No write-up would be complete without a mention of the permanent staff who have made us so comfortable, particularly Cpl. Sharpe, the cook who has fed us like kings, despite a sprained ankle, sustained while ski-ing.
Course B from 'A' and 'D' Companies arrives on 8th March and we sincerely hope they enjoy themselves as much as we have.
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