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At the parking lot tent site closest to civilization, roundings. Others further into the woods weren't so the army trucks and this litis (the vehicle now replac- lucky, with only their tents and some gear to remind ing the old-fashioned jeep) helped lend the appear- them of the world outside, ance of a military base to the otherwise natural sur- some of the sleighs they would soon be pulling with a rope. Trucks were quickly unloaded so that the journey to the campsite could be made without haste Saturday Saturday morning. Here, the troops are seen unloading , t. The lighting of the Coleman stove was one of the forward to the cup of coffee which will soon be lire initial tasks of the regiment as they prepared to set wing, up camp. Major Dan Matthews said the soldiers look pearing to have been haphazardly placed. Hut order would soon reign as the weekend winter lessons were learned. And this would be home until Sunday morning. The scene looked a little chaotic when this picture was taken, with some items surrounding the lent ap- M. SECTION TWO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987 Last weekend's snow meant different things to different people. For several skiers, it was the true coming of winter. For many drivers, it was an increased headache. And for the members of the Ontario Regiment in Oshawa, it only added realism to their weekend winter training at the Long Sault Conservation area. The purpose of the expedition, expedition, which began Saturday morning and ended the following following Sunday, was to prepare prepare the troops for defence conditions in such areas as the Arctic. In fact, Major Dan Matthews Matthews said the Arctic is one area they would likely be called upon to defend in the event of an emergency. This meant troops had to know how to use their winter gear. And up until last weekend, their understanding understanding of some of the equipment had only been theoretical. The winter gear included wind pants which go over the issue uniforms, muk- luks, anti-contact cotton gloves which don't stick to things in the cold, and snow shoes. "It won't take long before guys will have snow-shoes falling off," Major Matthews predicted at the beginning of the expedition Saturday morning. He said that the experience would force them to learn how to properly properly tie the shoes. It's a lesson which was quickly learned by many regiment regiment members. After the trucks were unpacked, the regiment donned the shoes for the one-mile hike to the campsite, carrying all their equipment on their backs or on sleds which they pulled by rope. Upon arriving at the designated designated site, the next order of the day was to create a home. Tents were pitched and Coleman stoves started as the troop prepared to make the winter woods their home. Major Matthews pointed out that the Coleman stoves are usually lit almost immediately immediately upon arrival, since most men are looking forward to a cup of hot coffee. coffee. The organization of the campground takes a little longer, but Major Matthews predicted that order would soon reign over the site. "It doesn't take too long once you get established and get a camp going," he said. "It'll be quite comfortable comfortable once we're established The winter snow didn't stop some of the traditional camping rituals for the | Ontario Regiment during their winter expedition last weekend to the Long Sault Conservation Area northeast of Enniskillen. One member is seen here driving a tent peg into the ground. Photos and Story by RobSavage and settled for the night." And he said one of the main lessons is to establish an orderly campground. Major Matthews said most -soldiers learn that when you leave your tent at night, you have to know exactly where your gear is placed. And wandering the woods at night was definitely part of the weekend agenda. Major Matthews had prepared prepared specific afternoon and evening scenarios for the commanders of each of the two groups into which the troops were divided. The evening scenarios pitted both troops against each other in an effort to gather information and the strength of location of the other side's chosen site. Food throughout the weekend included individual individual meal packages where the entrees are wrapped wrapped in aluminum and actually actually cooked within those packages. The weekend's eating also included hot soup at about 10 p.m. Eventually, the men were left to sleep in multi-lined five-men tents designed to endure the most bitter Arctic Arctic cold. There were about 35 men and officers divided into six different tent groups. Major Matthews said there are usually more on such an expedition expedition but several men were involved in various other training courses running running that same weekend. For those that did attend the outing, the winter cold was seen and conquered. "By the end of the weekend, there were some techniques perfected," Major Matthews said. "Some of these guys had never drawn winter gear before." The trek into the woods was no easy hike, as work- was about one mile to the campsite and an additional ers had to haul gear on their .backs and pull the ten miles of walking was done throughout the after- additional gear loaded onto sleighs. The initial trek noon and evening. ,, •,% v k -J W xé'