Exercise Blue Ice - Mountaineering in Kosciusko National Park

OFFCDT Bryce Martin
03 Aug 2008

The Army Alpine Association (AAA) recently led seven members of the Mountaineering Interest Group, one of the many clubs at ADFA, to complete Ex Blue Ice, a week-long introduction to mountaineering skills held in the Blue Lake area of Kosciusko National Park.

The exercise was designed to put the leadership skills we have learnt at the Academy into practice while testing our individual physical and mental endurance.

During the adventure training our group of 13 were exposed to many challenging situations, including white-out conditions during a navigation exercise and technical ice climbing. We learnt useful snow survival techniques such as how to construct and live in snow caves, how to ‘rope-up’ to a partner for glacier travel and how to use the ice tools to self-arrest (to stop yourself from sliding off a mountain).

Our group quickly learnt how essential it is to work as a team in sub-zero conditions to ensure that the basic needs of survival are met, such as melting snow for water and constructing shelter from the elements. Our group consisted of seven ADFA officer cadets and six members of the AAA from various parts of Australia and of various ranks. This meant that there was a large skill base within the group that led to fantastic group interaction. I met some great people that share my interest in the outdoors and who I hope to catch up with again on a similar type of activity.

During the exercise I was often cold and tired but I enjoyed every second of our time in the field. The sense of achievement gained after climbing a ice ‘chandelier’ coupled with the strange sensation of sleeping under a few meters of snow in an snow cave and the magnificent views left me wanting to gain more experience in all aspects of mountaineering.

Exercise Blue Ice was a great opportunity for everyone involved to gain basic mountaineering skills in a friendly environment that challenged us all. I can’t believe that it is part of my job to be involved in adventure training activities such as this.


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