How jealous am i ?

[pumbaa]

Was talking to a mate the other day and he mentioned that he is off to norway in a couple of weeks to do an 8 week arctic survival course !!!
It might be cold , but that sounds like some perfect R&R to me .
Pumbaa

 

[Abbe Osram]

Was talking to a mate the other day and he mentioned that he is off to norway in a couple of weeks to do an 8 week arctic survival course !!!
It might be cold , but that sounds like some perfect R&R to me .
Pumbaa

8 weeks??? Which group is holding such long courses.
Could you ask him who are these guys, I know of courses going 7 to 10 days but not 8 weeks.

thanks
Abbe

 

[Beer Monster]

8 weeks??? Which group is holding such long courses.
Could you ask him who are these guys, I know of courses going 7 to 10 days but not 8 weeks.

thanks
Abbe

......... military??

 

[pumbaa]

......... military??

Got it in one ! The only bit i wouldnt be sure about is the finding your way out of the water business , you enter through a hole in the ice and have to find your way out again
Pumbaa

 

[torjusg]

Got it in one ! The only bit i wouldnt be sure about is the finding your way out of the water business , you enter through a hole in the ice and have to find your way out again
Pumbaa

I've been a year in the Norwegian infantry and I didn't learn much bushcraft apart from the basics, I think he will be disappointed if that is what he think he is up for.

Don't envy him, if he get the same treatment as the Norwegian soldiers he will freeze and starve alot. I am glad that chapter of my life is over......

Torjus Gaaren

 

[TallMikeM]

......... military??

the best thing about being in the military is all the opportunities for travel adventure and excitement. The only downside is that you have to join in the first place .
I sometimes think they should stop having all these wars and put all the money they save towards giving us taxpayers some fun and excitement.

 

[Tor helge]

Sounds very long, but if he`s in the army it might be the Winter Warfare Course on Dovre. But duration of this course is two weeks not eight. The army also has an Advanced Winter Warfare Course at the same place. Maybe he`s taking this course too.
A lot of foreign military personell are taking these courses.

Torjus.
Sounds like we have similar experiences from the army .

Tor

 

[CraigM9]

Hi Folks,

I was lucky enough as a member of the TA to attend the Norwegian Allied Winter Warfare Course based in Elverum from Jan to Feb last year. The course is 6 weeks long but covers all aspects of operating and living in winter conditions - nothing quite like seeing the Northern lights from the entrance to your snowcave!

I was the only Brit and my section included a dutch and US marine, 2 German mountain troops, a Spanish SF member, a Frenchman and me - a Scotsman who had never skied before!

It was a privelege to attend and work with the Norwegian military - especially the lads from the Jaeger and Telemark Battalions who have a wealth of knowledge and experience of bushcraft also.

The course is available every year for regular/TA members and can you believe they hadn't hosted a Brit for a fair few years and wished more would attend!

There was about a weeks worth of bushcraft type skills taught and practised - shelters, fire-lighting and survival cooking etc. Once I work out how to post pics I'll stick a few up if anyones interested?!

Cheers,

Craig.

 

[Beer Monster]

Once I work out how to post pics I'll stick a few up if anyones interested?!

I'd be very interested to see some pics and any more info you have about the course!! :You_Rock_

I didn't realise it was open to the reserve forces!

 

[elma]

I'd be very interested to see some pics and any more info you have about the course!! :You_Rock_

I didn't realise it was open to the reserve forces!

I'd like to see some too

 

[pumbaa]

I'd like to see some piccys too !
Pumbaa

 

[razors]

Hi,I'm new to the forum but spotted this interesting link and thought I may say a few wordsI did the M&AW (Mountain and Arctic Warfare course) twice in Norway whilst serving with the Royal Marines Commandos.The first at Bessheim the second at Lomm.(Norweigan members feel free to amend my spelling!).In those days (early 80's) the course lasted 12 weeks.The first thing we learned was how to ski (cross country or langlauf ).Then how to ski-or,which is being towed behind a BV (a tracked vehicle able to operate in snow,also used in the Falklands war to cross boggy ground ).Then Heli-bourne operations.Finally, pulling a pulk,which is a sledge pulled behind 1 or 2 persons to transport heavy equipment/weapons ie: mortars,anti tank milan etc.Then we learned basic survival.This involved improvised tented accomodation and snow holes ( excellent fun ).Then the dreaded going through the Ice,to prepare for an accident whilst crossing frozen lakes.After this it was a series of larger and larger exercises culminating in a Commando Brigade exercise with the Norweigan Army playing enemy.There was an excellent programme on BBC2 several years ago,the name of which escapes me (but I have the VHS tapes in the loft) about the selection and training of the Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre.One of the 2 Royal Marines Special Forces units ( the other being the SBS).The second tour was,for myself,more specialised training and trialing of prototype equipment and uniform.Both tours were thoroughly enjoyable with weekends off spent downhill skiing at Beiuleigh (spelling??) one of Norways largest ski resorts.It has to be said survival training in Norway is mainly about keeping your kit dry and preventing hyperthermia,eating and drinking enough.Wildlife and vegetation are scarce and especially as we operated mainly above the tree line and at temperatures below which many other Nationalities Armys stopped there was little chance of finding edible vegetation or catching game.
BTW Norweigan girls are,generally speaking,gorgeous!!....must be all the fresh air.