Cadet Mali Hattle from Blaenau Ffestiniog Detachment has been accepted on Exercise Telemark Challenger a 14-day Nordic skiing adventurous training exercise combining a battlefield study, taking place in the Telemark region of Norway.
The exercise over the period 2-15 Apr 2023 will be conducted in 3 phases, a 7-day Nordic ski training package, followed by a 5-day self-sufficient Nordic ski touring journey crossing the Hardangervida following in the footsteps of the Heroes of Telemark and finally completing a battlefield study of Operation Grouse and Gunnerside on the 80th anniversary of the original mission.
Mali had the opportunity to go on a school ski trip last year and learn the basics of downhill skiing. The opportunity to Nordic ski is going to be a whole new challenge and experience
Following the news about gaining a place Mali said “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m excited to meet new people, gain new skiing skills, and visit Norway. The more I learn about the trip the more excited I am getting. Norway looks like an amazing place. It will be really interesting learning more about the Heroes of Telemark and having the opportunity to follow in their ski tracks.”
Mum Sarah said “we’re just so proud of Mali. This is a unique physical and mental challenge that we’re sure she will meet head-on along with the rest of the team. They’ll be creating memories that will last a lifetime.”
Mali’s expedition to Norway is just one of the exciting overseas trips being undertaken by Clwyd and Gwynedd cadets this year. 16 cadets and adults from the Llandudno area are making a commemorative trip to France and Belgium and 28 cadets and adults are taking part in the all-Wales trip to South Africa.
