British Marines hit Crested Butte for “adventure training” and bonding

Short shorts, sunburns and summits

Sixteen of the British Royal Marines, the unbelievably pale/white, big buff soldiers in short shorts and no shirts that talked funny, just left town after a week of Adventure Training in the Gunnison Valley.

Their Adventure Training program comes on the heels of their basic training boot camp and is something unique to the British military. Units of commandos are encouraged to have “vacation time” in which they take part in challenging, fun and somewhat stressful activities together to increase personal reliance as well as group and teamwork skills in a setting outside normal military operations.
“Essentially, it’s bonding between soldiers through adventure sports, all paid for by the British military,” explains Crested Butte Mountain Guides (CBMG) owner/guide Jayson Simons-Jones.
According to Simons-Jones, the Royal Marines contacted CBMG back in March looking for an operation, and a town, that could provide what they needed: excitement and relaxation in a beautiful setting.
“The 16 commandos decided to come here based on a package of activities and amenities that CBMG and town has to offer,” says Simons-Jones.
After flying across the pond, they piled into four Mustang convertibles, some garnering a healthy seatbelt “tan” on the drive, and arrived in Crested Butte and settled in at the Hostel for four days of activities, and a day on their own to explore town.
They divided and conquered the Gunnison Valley, splitting into two teams of eight commandos for a variety of “training” exercises with CBMG.
They went mountain biking and rock climbing in Taylor Canyon and they climbed the “Guides Ridge” route on Crested Butte Mountain, winding it all up by rafting with 3 Rivers in Taylor Canyon.
“They’re pretty fit for being at altitude,” says Simons-Jones. “Their skill levels varied. Some had climbing experience. One guy, I’m pretty sure, had never ridden a mountain bike before.”
Their relaxation exercises included an Alpenglow concert, nocturnal “tours of duty” on the front lines of the Barmuda Triangle and a trip to the rodeo in Gunnison.
They left town, grudgingly, bound for Quantico, Virginia to take part in a joint training with the U.S. Marines. Many plan to return for ski or bike holidays with family and friends in the future and are very jazzed to sell this Adventure Training experience to the next class of commando grads.
“They loved Crested Butte, the small town vibe, and continuously commented how everyone here, both in town and on the trails, was so friendly and welcoming, ‘nothing like the French Alps,’” says Jones. “Be forewarned—stock up on sunscreen and lock up your women. They’ll likely be back.”