Troops and Skills

Mountain Troop:

Mountain Troop is responsible for all aspects of mountaineering and skiing. New members with no previous experience will be taught the basics of climbing and arctic tactics. Many SAS individuals attend courses in Europe, among the best of which is the German Alpine Guides course. Normally one of the squadrons will be committed to the NATO winter exercise in Norway.

The SAS poduces men of outstanding talent. This picture is of Andy Baxter, climbing during a training exercise in Southern Germany. Like Brummie Stokes and Bronco Lane before him, Andy went on to tackle the Mount Everest. Unfortunately, he was badly injured during an avalanche, and died some months later. His skill and dedication to mountaineering were second to none. As a young SAS soldier, Andy excelled at almost everything he did. His love of climbing came after attending the German Alpine Guides course in Bavaria. The Regiment anually selects two Mountain Troop soldiers to attend the year-long course.       Six months is spent on skiing and six on mountaineering.    In many ways, Andy Baxter epitomised the daring spirit of the SAS - always first to rise to a challenge, and meet that challenge with skill and daring

Mountain Troop during a NATO exercise in Norway

Andy Baxter