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Climbing
the hill in the heat complete with jerry can.
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By
LCDR Pat Davitt
It’s
always hot and steamy on Christmas Island and the day of the Army-Navy
Challenge was no exception.
Members of HMAS Canberra’s embarked Army detachment organised
a physically and mentally challenging team-building exercise for
themselves and members of the ship’s company.
The challengers, divided into two evenly matched Army and Navy
teams, took part in a number of trials.
The initial run from Flying Fish Cove seemed easy enough but after
covering about a kilometre along a relatively level road the contenders
reached the base of an intimidating hill.
Challengers were required to climb the hill at a trot while sharing
responsibility for carrying two 20-litre water jerries.
The challenge then moved into an assortment of intellectual tests
designed to test general mental alertness after physically demanding
activities.
Further tests included battlefield first aid, a timed stretcher
carry, an obstacle course and a scramble down a rocky pipeline
trail back to Flying Fish Cove.
After about two hours of highly demanding physical exertion, participants
were happy to see the end but gratified to have been part of a
beneficial exercise.
