Canadian Scottish Regiment members go on an ice climbing expedition

CSR Mountaineering Team: Corporal Tem Greenhalgh, Master Corporal Jesse Woods, Master Corporal Jacob Carlow, Sergeant Denis Byrne Admin (Expedition Planner), Sergeant (ret’d) Jason Budd (ACMG Guide). Photo supplied.

Sgt Denis Byrne, Canadian Scottish Regiment Mountaineering Team — On Feb. 10-13, four of eight Canadian Scottish Regiment (CSR) Mountaineering Team members participated in a technical ice climbing training clinic in Lillooet, 200 kilometres north of Vancouver.

The Canadian Scottish Regiment Mountaineering Team is a self-directed effort at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, and Junior Ranks level, dedicated to the pursuit of mountaineering, technical climbing, and adventure training opportunities.

The team of eight well-equipped and trained mountaineers believes mountaineering encapsulates vital parts of war-fighting skills such as endurance, resilience, navigation, planning, communications and teamwork. The Team has set several objectives in the Lower 48 (the states of the U.S., not including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada and Alaska.

The group practised technical climbing skills on steep waterfall ice for two days. In preparation, the Team procured the guide services of Sergeant (Sgt) (ret’d) Jason Budd from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). After ten years in the British Army, Budd joined the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service and became a professional Mountain Guide. He practises his guide craft in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies and is highly sought after for his services.

Following two days of climbing, Budd led a theoretical session on Abalakov threads, ice screw placements, and climbing techniques, followed by a practical session on crevasse rescue gear and techniques on the last day. Crevasse rescue involves using climbing rope, pulleys and carabiners to set up a 3-to-1 or 6-to-1 advantage to haul a fallen climber out of a crevasse. The team’s training was self-financed and self-directed.

The Team would like to acknowledge the Unit’s mentor, Major (ret’d) Richard Eaton, who continues to inspire us with his 1,000 Summit Project, an initiative by a CSR retired Major whose goal is to inspire others to follow their dreams and to push themselves despite personal discomfort.

Anyone in the 39 Brigade is welcome to participate in various levels of Adventure Training.

Highlights of the last Five years:

• Mt Rainier (14310’)
• Mt Baker (10710’)
• Mt Athabasca (11453’)
• Golden Hinde (7201’)
• Kings Peak (6761’)
• Albert Edward (2093’)
• Mt Arrowsmith (5967’)

Lead Climber Summersgill watches Sgt (ret’d) Jason Budd ascend technical waterfall ice in Lilloet, British Columbia. Photo supplied.