1/10 winter training

SF_BHT · 02-14-2009, 07:12

Just ran into an interesting article on 1/10 SFG ref their current Winter training on Monarch Mtn. Listen to the Radio report it was a nice report on the BN training.

Quote:

Spending a week skiing might sound like recreation to some, but for the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group, it’s a critical part of their work. Based out of Fort Carson, they’re high altitude-cold weather specialists. Like the legendary 10th Mountain Division troops who pioneered winter warfare during World War II, the 10th Special Forces Group has to be ready to conduct military operations in heavy snow or on a steep mountainside.

So recently, a few hundred Special Forces soldiers headed up to train at Monarch Mountain near Salida. It’s the first battalion level cold weather training they’ve had in years and the soldiers only have five days on the slopes to get competent, regardless of their ski experience. Reporter Shanna Lewis grabbed her skis and headed out to the slopes to file this report.

Stras · 02-14-2009, 20:33

This is either 3/10 or 2/10 that got to go skiing.. it's probably 3/10 since they usually hang out at Monarch. 2/10 has more expensive taste and hangs out at Keystone.

mffjm8509 · 02-14-2009, 21:59

Not this year Bill......WET on the CHEAP. No condos, no mountain money, no Parrot Eyes......

We stayed in tents at the fairgrounds in Salida and bussed up the hill to Monarch every day.

Good thing I spent Christmas at Keystone!

longrange1947 · 02-15-2009, 12:25

Shades of Cannon Mountain, NH and living in tents in the park at the base.

**Razor** · 02-15-2009, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by mffjm8509

We stayed in tents at the fairgrounds in Salida and bussed up the hill to Monarch every day.

You guys should have driven a bit further west and hung out at Crested Butte instead. At least they have a few nice, warm bars downtown (and free shuttle busses to and from the slopes) to use as warming huts.

mffjm8509 · 02-15-2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

You guys should have driven a bit further west and hung out at Crested Butte instead. At least they have a few nice, warm bars downtown (and free shuttle busses to and from the slopes) to use as warming huts.

Out of the question with the budget we were given this year.

Tents and transportation were provided by a local unit, fairgrounds were free as long as we took the boys into town every night, blue bird busses took us up the hill every morning. An MKT cooked breakfast and dinner and LRRPs were issued for lunch. The 1SG came at lunch with hot soup and coffee. At first glance, most of you would think that this isnt too bad of a set up but those of you with time in 10th Group can relate to how this was compared to how we normally conduct our down hill training.

The excess cash saved went into buying new sleds, stoves, and miscellaneous cold weather team gear that hasn't been replenished since around 2003.

By the way.....at the same time we were living in tents in Salida, 3rd Group was staying in condos and skiing Keystone AND the 10th Group CED was at Keystone assisting in 3rd Groups training.....go figure.

Richard · 02-15-2009, 20:50

Hmmm...1/10th WET in my time started with a parachute jump into mountain pastures near Bad Reichenhall with all of our equipment (including skis, poles, and bear paws), followed by a tactical mountain movement back to Bad Tolz. A fun-filled two weeks. And lodges? What lodges?

Richard's $.02

Bechorg · 03-03-2009, 11:10

Just did a weeklong stint down at the Frasdorf. 4 days of downhill at Reit Im Winkle (painful for the newbs like myself) and a few days of cross country- with a night out in the tents.

Took the sleds along and rucks...great weather with fresh powder a few nights.

Considering the stories I have read, ours was mild

Ret10Echo · 03-03-2009, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bechorg

Just did a weeklong stint down at the Frasdorf. 4 days of downhill at Reit Im Winkle (painful for the newbs like myself) and a few days of cross country- with a night out in the tents.

Took the sleds along and rucks...great weather with fresh powder a few nights.

Considering the stories I have read, ours was mild

As long as you are getting onto der Berg.....

Dragbag036 · 03-03-2009, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Hmmm...1/10th WET in my time started with a parachute jump into mountain pastures near Bad Reichenhall with all of our equipment (including skis, poles, and bear paws), followed by a tactical mountain movement back to Bad Tolz. A fun-filled two weeks. And lodges? What lodges?

Richard's $.02

Spent a little time in that area myself. Had to do a Mountain school that they wanted to start for Internationals based out of Mittenwald. The week of patrolling was done in the Bad Reichenhall area. Viele Klettersteige und Langlaufloipen.

alfromcolorado · 03-03-2009, 18:45

The Frasdorf House... Man, that name brings back some memories.

Have they fixed it up any?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bechorg

Just did a weeklong stint down at the Frasdorf. 4 days of downhill at Reit Im Winkle (painful for the newbs like myself) and a few days of cross country- with a night out in the tents.

Took the sleds along and rucks...great weather with fresh powder a few nights.

Considering the stories I have read, ours was mild

Bechorg · 03-04-2009, 10:28

The building is still definetly a product of the 70's-80's updating...but as far as new renovations I would say no. The bathrooms have been maintained, the basement is still our of the movie Saw. Bedrooms are still double bunks airborne school style, but still, its a place to put your head down and drink some beers after a long day of skiing. Just the right fit.

alfromcolorado · 03-04-2009, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bechorg

The building is still definetly a product of the 70's-80's updating...but as far as new renovations I would say no. The bathrooms have been maintained, the basement is still our of the movie Saw. Bedrooms are still double bunks airborne school style, but still, its a place to put your head down and drink some beers after a long day of skiing. Just the right fit.

I had some good times there and the price was right for training and Spass.

RichL025 · 03-04-2009, 20:35

1-10 was my first SF unit. WHen I found out the story behind the Frasdorf house, I thought to myself "THESE guys know how to do it!"

And then when I found out you could sign out the keys from S3 for recreation!

Viel Spass!!!

Conrad Y · 03-04-2009, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfromcolorado

I had some good times there and the price was right for training and Spass.

Amen Al.