Mountain Rescue News June 2006

It has been a steady end the winter with the team involved in a few big callouts. A huge search for a missing Military walker in the Ben More Area near Crianlarich ended when the walker was found unfortunately dead after a 2-day search. RAF Leuchars were involved along with the local Killin and Lomond Teams and the Search and Rescue Dog Association along with the Rescue 177 from Prestwick. Solo walking especially in winter is extremely serious as this incident proved.

FS Charlie Marshall of the Regiment Flight and Cpl Pete Caulton from Leuchars MRT completed “Tranters Round at Kintail”. This involves the climbing of 15 Munros in one day; huge ascent and lots of miles. The weather was very poor, with rain and sleet for most of the day. This is a huge mountaineering day involving great determination and fitness. Only a few of the team have done days like this before. Charlie had done this route before (in his youth) when the troops raised a fair amount of money for charity and were supported by some of the team. Sgt Fergie Cliff CSIP Kinloss and Sgt “Abo” Alexander from CRS Lossiemouth bivouacked on the South Clunnie to support. The weather was fairly wild and these two heroes had a hard night, comforted by the odd dram. In addition Flt Lt Joe Wheeler (ATC Kinloss) and one of the older Team members met them near the end of the day. By this time even Charlie was tired and ate everything we had in the way of food to offer; it must have been a hard day! The Regiment supported the boys through a long day; they did a superb job and are writing an article on it so I will not steal their thunder. Charlie is now detached to the Gulf so it will be no hills for him for a while.

The summer course was held in May and unfortunately they had very poor weather, lots of rain. This did not dampen their enthusiasm and the troops learned a lot. The troops that attended were Team Leader “Mick Mixed” Morris ably assisted by Flt “Chaise” Long from Lossiemouth as instructors. The pupils were SAC “Doctor” John Cookson a full-time team member and SAC Danny Dunbar from 15 Sqn Lossiemouth. This is a tremendous course for up and coming mountaineers, with a huge learning curve in a week of solid climbing in Wales. The benefit to the team should be seen this summer when our two new stars get to grips with the big Scottish Mountain routes.

The Mountain Rescue Alps expedition is planned for July/August and the team has been granted a few places. This is a purely Mountain Rescue Training exercise and is in two phases in Chamonix and Switzerland. This will provide a great introduction to the Greater Ranges and will enhance the teams mountaineering experience in all aspects.

The May Grant was spent on the Isle of Arran, a Scotland in miniature. The journey involved a 5-hour journey to Ardrossan and then an hour-long ferry ride to Arran. The weather was fairly mixed with all seasons in one day for most of the time, rain sleet, snow, wind, gales and sun! Arran is famous for its rock climbing especially on the superb mountain of Cir Mhor. This mountain sports some of the best climbing in Scotland, beautiful sculptured coarse granite, superb to climb on when dry! Due to the weather conditions the climbing was extremely interesting. CT Steve Price, Sgt Jimmy Coats Lossiemouth, SAC John Cookson and Cpl “Scouse” Combes from NLS had a complete mountaineering experience on the Classic named Souwester Slabs. The final pitch involved a very strenuous chimney that was wet and greasy and took considerable “cunning” to climb. The rest of the team had tremendous if not windy days on the main ridge, in all climbing all the major peaks. Arran Mountains though not over 3000 feet are some of the best hills in Scotland and a good test for the mountaineer. The mountains have at least 9 aircraft crashes on them as the Island was very near Prestwick airport and was extremely busy during the Second World War. A lot of the wreckage still remains some in fairly inaccessible terrain. During the war over 100 aircrew lost their lives on these little mountains. The wreckage left as a memorial to those who gave everything for their country. Some of the team managed a great rock climb near Lochranza in dry weather, Eagles were nesting near by and we were privileged to see a great display of flying by a majestic bird. In all a superb grant, lots achieved and well worth the long drive. If you get a chance visit this marvellous Island you will not be disappointed.

The team is getting a new full- time member, Ben Cludrey from our “Training Academy” at Leuchars. Ben has a bit of a reputation as an up and coming mountaineer and will be an asset to the team once he acclimatises on our big hills. He is taking over as the position of store man from Sgt “Abo” Alexander who has just completed a 3-year tour as permanent staff at Kinloss. “Abo” has moved to Lossiemouth and is staying with the team, some act to follow.

That’s all our news, we all look forward to the summer and climbing and mountaineering in a sunny Scotland. The team is going well the all the newer younger team members going well. We are always on the look out for new members, so if you fancy some information call the mountain rescue on extn 6150.