In August, 14 personnel from 37 Signal Regiment and two from 2 Signal Regiment embarked on a two-week adventure training exercise in the Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory.
Read Sergeant Shaw’s account of their summer expedition – Exercise DRAGON FIREWEED – below:
“The Yukon is in the North-Western corner of Canada and is bordered by Alaska and the Northwest Territories.
The sparsely populated territory encompasses natural scenic beauty, with snowmelt lakes and snow-capped mountains, including many of Canada’s highest mountains. Lying around 400 miles South of the Arctic Circle and with high elevation, the weather is extremely varied, dropping down to freezing at night but warming up to up to 26 degrees in the day.
“As well as stunning scenery, The Yukon has interesting wildlife such as gophers and red squirrels, but most notable is the fact that the Yukon is bear country, with the Parks Canada bear guidance stating that: “If a bear attacks, you must fight back and not give up” – which raised a few eyebrows during the initial safety brief.
“After making the long journey to the Yukon, tents were pitched on the edge of Kluane Lake and our preparations started. The expedition was split into two parts, with a canoeing expedition on Kluane Lake and a summer mountain foundation course in the surrounding terrain.
“The original plan for the summer mountain foundation course had been to complete the Slims river trail and climb Observation Mountain. This would have involved a number of creek crossings. However, as they say, no plan survives contact and with temperatures at night hitting freezing, this meant snow on Observation Mountain. When combined with high temperatures in the day, this resulted in higher-than-normal creek levels that Parks Canada staff advised were unsafe to cross, as well as putting Observation mountain above the snowline, out of the remit for summer mountaineering. So, for the summer mountain foundation course a new plan had to be put in place.
“After climbing Sheep Creek on the first day, a long steady climb to an elevation of 1930m offering panoramic views of Kluane Lake, Slims River Valley and 360° views of the countless glaciers which blanket the surrounding mountain peaks.
“From Sheep Creek, the group moved to Kathleen Lake, allowing for a stop off at the Alpine Bakery in Haines Junction and a recovery walk along the shores of the lake that gave the legs a chance to recharge. The initial plan had been to tackle the Kings Throne, a steep ascent of 1400m, however the area was hit by strong winds, with gusts of around 70mph making the route unviable, so a 20km walk along the Cottonwood trail was completed instead. On the map the route looked relatively flat, but Canadian map contours were every 50m, not every 10m used on UK maps, and the reality was that it was in fact not very flat at all!
“The weather also turned to torrential rain for the walk, which gave the group the chance to test out their waterproofs! On return to the lake, the group used the communal shelter/picnic area to dry the kit and Warrant Officer 2 Gurung treated the group to a camp stove Gurkha curry.
“The final big walk for the group was the Aurial Trail, another 15km walk through a mix of forest and meadows with an excellent viewpoint looking down to Haines Junction below.
“Meanwhile the canoe group on Exercise DRAGON FIREWEED had their own battles with the wind and weather on Kluane Lake, canoeing long distances during the day and setting up camp at night, a real test of personal admin and character! This group also got to see a black bear from a safe distance on the shore whilst they were canoeing.
“Both groups returned to Kluane Lake Research Station for change over day, an opportunity to resupply rations. It was during this period where the group had a close encounter with a bear, with SSgt McDonald as casual as you like warning the group: ‘There is a bear, and a baby bear, and I do not think she is pleased to see me!’ and sure enough, 20 metres away was a black bear and cub. Fortunately, they were not aggressive and after checking us out momentarily, they continued on their way.
“Once the groups had swapped over, each followed similar activities to the first week. The canoe group had a sandstorm strike on one of their camps, with no tents surviving the ultra-fine sand! Meanwhile, and with better weather, the walking group managed to tick of the Kings Throne which turned out to be a relentless slog up steep scree, which was even worse coming down. The view at the top was absolutely stunning though and worth the effort, as we were rewarded with views across the Kluane National Park Icefield; the largest non-polar icefield in the world.
“Both groups returned to Kluane Lake Research Centre for the final night and after an evening around the campfire by the lake, most of the group had retired to their tents when Corporal Parr conducted a stand-to of the campsite. The Northern Lights appeared in the sky above, providing us with spectacular views and an amazing way to end the adventure!
“An outstanding expedition, and thanks must go to the now retired Staff Sergeant Phillips who initially planned the trip, and to Warrant Officer 2 Gurung who (at very short notice) took on the role of expedition leader and self-appointed chef; cooking some amazing tasting food on the camp stoves!
“Both instructors, Paul Lilygreen and Staff Sergeant (SQMS) Leatherbarrow offered a wealth of experience and guidance to their respective activities, ensuring that it was certainly an expedition that clearly met the aims of Adventure Training – living out of a rucksack and sleeping in a tent for 14 days, whilst completing arduous activities in changeable weather meant that all of the group were working out of their comfort zone, with teamwork, leadership, decision making, robustness and personal administration all being tested on a daily basis.
“When the scenery, Northern Lights and close encounter with a bear are added to the mix, Exercise DRAGON FIREWEED will last for a very long time in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to take part.”
37th Signal Regiment are an Army Reserve unit who specialise in communications. Based in Redditch, they also have squadrons in Sparkbrook, Coventry and other location areas. Visit their Facebook page to stay up to date with their latest news.
Alternatively visit our Reserve Forces webpage to find out more about life as Reservist.
Published 05/10/23