RAOC Gazette - page 167
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
The briefing of Lance Corporal Private Murray, (Expedition expedition members prior to tneir departure: Goodeve, Private Lee, Lance Corporal Jones, Captain Robinson, Captain Nigel de Foubert Leader), Privates Brothwell and Bowtray. our misfortunes but were less inclined to do so having fixed our position as ' somewhere West of Cornwall/ Several hours later, stiff and physically all very tired, we camped in Lonetree Canyon and set to cooking our evening meal. Shortly afterwards, the most fantastic thunderstorm broke over the Canyon. We watched, mesmerised from our plastic bodybags as lightning flashed creating the weirdest shadows and thunder- claps echoed around, rumbling in and out of hundreds of creeks. At least while it rained the mosquitoes and their relations stayed away. The thunderstorm was so bad that two of the Canyon's inhabitants, namely lizards, actually occupied Privates Lee and Brothwells' sleeping bags—whilst they were in them! The lizards slept comfortably that night whilst the brave two took shelter under a rock. Again we had an early reveille at 0430 and set off once more, after breakfast. Ahead was a boring, flat plateau called Pattie Butte about six miles long with no shade, which we wanted to cover before the sun reached us, After the Butte we climbed down into Cremation Creek, down sheer rock cliffs, the bottom of which was singularly bare of vegetation, even cactus, and the ascent out proved even more difficult than the entry. Because of the topographical position of the creek the sun seems to shine directly into it all day long and the rocky sides and sandy bottom retain and reflect the heat to an almost unbearable extent. We didn't stop here but con- tinued up out of the Creek, the temperature was now around 110 C F, our next objective was O'Neill Butte. This is a very large feature which has to be climbed, the original track around the peak had been washed away in a landslide, it was a very exposed feature, offering no shade. We'd been on the ' go * at this stage for over six hours and ahead lay a further two and a half to three hours of hard work, it was a miserable feeling made worse by the prospect of the sun having still to reach its highest point] It was one hell of a method to employ to silence Lance Corporals Goodeve and Jones but we succeeded, they couldn't even raise a bad word about this Butte. At 1430 we were eventually over the Butte and heading for Natural Arch. This arch is a memorial to two prospectors who died of thirst and consists of two upright cairns side by side, as if they had both been buried standing-up. Our next objective was Burrow Springs where, due to the thunderstorm the previous evening, we hoped there would be some water; our own supplies running quite low by now. At 1830 we reached the spring and much to our joy found a magnificent little trickle of water sufficient for our needs. Morale was high and we decided to push on to Indian Gardens where we intended to camp for the night. Two hours later, tired and foot sore we reached Indian Gardens where for the first time for three days we met other human beings. That evening we chatted with other campers for many hours, they were amazed that a British Army expedition should come so far, especially when there were so many wonder- ful places to visit in the ' Old Country.' A National Park Ranger was amazed that we'd ' done' the Grandview Trail and openly admitted that he'd never do it in July and even if he did it in Spring or Autumn he'd carry a maximum of ten pounds—all water! (A large reduction on our forty pounds), Next morning after breakfast the group set off for the Northern Rim, at 0600 hours. The going was very much easier having left all the kit behind at Indian Gardens to be collected on the way back. By 10.00 it was very hot indeed but heartened by the down- hill route and the Colorado River becoming nearer and nearer, the group pressed on, until at last the river was reached. The Colorado river itself was quite breathtaking to look at, the recent rains had ensured it was in full spate, running at a good ten knots and as muddy as depicted in most of the photographs and cards sold commercially. To cross the 'raging torrent' the group used the suspension bridge and continued climbing the Northern Rim to the Phantom Ranch. The aim of the expedition had been achieved, and much relieved, the party set off back to Indian Gardens, collected their kit and at 1915 hours the last member of the group was back on top of the Southern Rim. The journey from Indian Gardens to the top of the Southern Rim is about eight miles, initially the going is easy along a gently rising slope, however the last three miles involve a very hard climb which on average takes about three hours. How- ever, Captain Robinson and Privates Lee, Bowhay and Murray, having been goaded to the utmost by several American Marines accepted their challenge and so began the last final race to the top; which all credit due, we won! In order of merit Privates Lee, Bowhay and Murray and as runner up representing the Officer Corps, Captain Colin Robinson! The journey back to Washington, apart from several tyre blowouts and one engine blowup, was uneventful. We returned to the Capital via Oklahoma City, Little Rock (of race riot fame), Memphis (of Elvis Presley fame) and Nashville in Tennessee. We spent a night and a day exploring the tourist attractions of Washington including the White House, Washington Memorial, Pennsylvania Avenue and the Grapevine. The latter is not universally well known but they do serve excellent ice- cold beer. We left Dulles airport regrettably; yet again the RAF had * come up trumps' and eight seats were available at 1600 hours, and at 0700 touched down at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Much to our delight our administration was still working, our Mini- bus and Land Rover were waiting to return us to Aldershot. The expedition had covered five thousand five hundred and eighty four miles by car and over seventy miles on our feet through what is openly described by the various authorised agencies as wilderness and to quote from ' The Wilderness World of the Grand Canyon * * even experienced and acclimatised treckers reckon on covering only one mile per hour for eight hours a d a y ' unquote. We did very much better than that. Finally we are all very much better soldiers for our experience and the following thoughts, in no order of priority, will remain with us for a very long time indeed, a. The large administrative effort required for an expedition of this type, not only by those participating but also those who assisted at the home base. b. The awesome sight looking into the Canyon for the first time. a The sheer hard physical effort required on the trek and the enormous satisfaction achieved on a successful con- clusion. d. The loneliness felt whilst in the Canyon. (We met or saw no one throughout the trail trek). e. The ruggedness of the terrain and lack of water and wild life. f. The great heat not only from the direct rays of the sun but those reflected from the rock. g. The enormous size of the topographical features all around compared with the * minute' human being. h. The great friendliness and hospitality of the American people. j . The extent of each individual's endurance. We are all far more aware of our capabilities and feel more confident that we could survive under extremely severe conditions. The Participants: Captain N, O, H. de Foubert (Leader), Captain C. Robinson BEM, Lance Corporals P. A. Goodeve and D. J. Jones, Privates J. M. Lee, C. R. Brothwell, D. W. Bowhay and J, R, Murray. PLEASE REMEMBER THE DEADLINE DATE FOR COPY 373 — |
| Book number | R0246a |