Bad weather fails to deter Liverpool URNU from Climbing

Since the team predominantly consisted of first years this was an excellent bonding opportunity for all, including the TO (SLt Dave Shaw) and other LURNU members in preparation the weekend’s AT training.

With alarms set on Saturday for 0700 we got up looking forward to our day ahead, so after a quick ration pack breakfast and team brief we were on our way.

Despite the morning’s miserable weather we left Altcar at 0800 with an enthusiastic and excited team, heading towards Wilton Quarry where we would be rock climbing and abseiling all under the supervision of two RAF ATC instructors; Sergeant Will Points and Sergeant Joe Millyard.

After a good hot ‘marine style’ brew made on the fire, we were then briefed and cracked on with the climbing.

Two climbs were set up and although some found it more difficult than others, everyone put in 100% effort and the encouragement from the instructors and the team was brilliant.

As a result the majority reached the top of their chosen climb!

It was also a chance for some the LURNU to learn some new skills whilst allowing others to brush up on some previously acquired ones.

We then finished the day off with an abseil or a ’fashionable fall’ for one team member!

Completely soaked, but not demoralised we headed back to Altcar where we had a well-deserved meal and a few drinks with the instructors in preparation for Sunday’s AT.

We were on the road at 0800 hours we travelled to Bowland forest where we would be completing a days expedition from Dunsop Bridge.

It was a gloriously wet, windy and muddy day making it slightly more challenging for us as a team.

Throughout, we learnt some navigation techniques such as bearings, using natural features to locate positions on a map and judging time as well as distance across country.

We were then encouraged by the instructors to navigate the route ourselves and put these techniques into practice where possible.

When we reached the trig point everyone felt a great sense of achievement as it was a long and challenging walk for all, some having to use skills they had only picked up that day!

We then navigated our way back down towards Dunsop Bridge and were given a debrief for the weekend.

It was a great weekend all round, everyone showed real enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the weekend.

A big thanks form the LURNU to the RAF ATC instructors and T.O Dave Shaw who made the weekend possible, looking forward to many more!