Warrant Officer Rowan’s Adventure at the Regional Winter Expedition in Goose Bay, Labrador - Issue 29

As the month of March came to a close, Rowan ’27 travelled north to Goose Bay to take part in the Advanced Regional Winter Expedition.

 

Cadets selected for this opportunity have completed their Silver Star and Gold Star Expeditions, demonstrate a high level of physical fitness, and serve as leaders within the 254. Warrant Officer Rowan ’27 was one of 18 cadets from across the Maritimes selected to participate in this advanced expedition, which took place from March 21 to 29 at CFB Goose Bay.

 

Rowan shared his experiences from the expedition:

 

Capt. Skafte: Could you tell us how you felt before heading to Goose Bay?

 

Rowan: I was pretty excited to go, as it’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while. I like going to cold places. It was an honour to represent the 254 and take part in a long, challenging expedition in Labrador.

 

Capt. Skafte: How did you prepare for the expedition?

 

Rowan: I’ve been to Tanzania before, so I had experience preparing for an expedition. The first thing I focused on was the packing list. I packed thermal clothing, lots of extra layers, as it was expected to be -30 Celsius, and I packed a week in advance. Knowing that we would be hiking, I kept up my cardio and connected with team members on a call before leaving.

 

Capt. Skafte: Tell us about your trip to Goose Bay.

 

Rowan: At the airport, we met officers and other cadets from Nova Scotia. After checking our luggage, the flight departed shortly after. I made friends on the flight, which was great.

 

Capt. Skafte: What happened when you arrived?

 

Rowan: We arrived late in the evening. The airport is next to CFB Goose Bay, where we stayed in barracks on the base, so we didn’t have far to travel. We did some light preparation that night for the next day.

 

Capt. Skafte: How did you prepare for the expedition itself?

 

Rowan: We were issued winter clothing, including fleece layers, heavy winter coats, balaclavas, snowshoes, and rucksacks. We went on a few short hikes using different types of snowshoes and trained with sleds that we towed with straps around our waists. We packed the sleds with our kit, stoves, firewood, and water. We also practiced setting up both Arctic tents and civilian tents. The Arctic tents were more complicated, but we learned quickly.

 

Capt. Skafte: Where did your expedition take you?

 

Rowan: We snowshoed more than 12 kilometres on the first day. We had MREs (military rations) for lunch. I cooked meals using a Coleman stove, which I had learned to use during my Silver and Gold Star Expeditions at King’s-Edgehill School. We had freeze-dried food for breakfast, MREs for lunch, and warm meals from hayboxes brought in from the base. We were very well fed. The expedition lasted three nights and four days in the woods.

 

Capt. Skafte: What kind of training did you do in the field?

 

Rowan: The snow in Labrador is very deep, so we learned the importance of packing it down while wearing snowshoes before setting up tents. We practiced cooking on stoves, packing and unpacking sleds, and travelling as a team. We also hiked across a frozen lake.

 

Capt. Skafte: What was the biggest challenge you faced?

 

Rowan: Honestly, it was the mental side. After hiking more than 12 kilometres each day, you’re told it’s time to set up your tent, prepare supper, and get ready for the night when you’re already exhausted. It’s freezing—between -20 and -30 Celsius—and your fingers are cold. In the morning, I even woke up with snow on me inside my sleeping bag. What helped me get through it was my team. We had high morale, we sang songs, told jokes, and supported each other the whole way. You didn’t think too much about being cold.

 

Capt. Skafte: What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?

 

Rowan: The biggest takeaway was the importance of teamwork and staying positive. No matter how challenging things got, working together made everything manageable. It showed me how much you can push yourself when you stay focused and rely on the people around you.

 

This incredible experience highlights the resilience, leadership, and determination of our cadets. We are very proud of Warrant Officer Rowan ’27 for representing the 254 and King’s-Edgehill School so well.