Brave personnel reach new peaks

Suspended high above a rock face, LT Isabella Hillyer faced one of the biggest challenges of Rock and Ice 26 – trusting the anchor systems she had built.

The Gallipoli Barracks officer was one of 63 personnel who took part in the Army Alpine Association activity from August 22 to September 6, which combined alpine activities and rock climbing to develop mountaineering and rock climbing skills.

It was LT Hillyer’s first experience of rock climbing.

She said the technical nature of the activity challenged participants to rely on their judgement and build confidence in the systems they created, while ascending multi-pitch routes reaching heights of up to 120m.

"Developing that confidence to know that if I fell it would hold me was hard," LT Hillyer said.

She said stepping beyond her comfort zone and learning to manage uncertainty became one of the most rewarding aspects of the course.

Fellow participant and communications electronics technician from 452SQN LACW Amy Jobson said in the alpine phase, participants traversed the snow-covered backcountry on skis carrying loaded packs.

Moving across remote terrain, participants learnt alpine travel techniques, avalanche response procedures and cold-weather survival skills, including constructing snow caves in adverse conditions.

The skills helped participants move and operate in an environment where weather, terrain and isolation can quickly become hazards.

She said the sports climbing phase allowed participants to develop their movement and confidence on the rock faces before progressing to more advanced rock climbing disciplines.

"The hardest part is just learning what is going to hold you," LACW Jobson said.

She said one of the aspects she enjoyed most about climbing was the problem-solving required to overcome each route.

"The thing I like about real climbing is it's a lot of problem-solving. It's all about working out where to place your hands and move your body to get yourself up the wall," LACW Jobson said.