First week of polar training done! (AKA learning to ski in the Arctic cold whilst dragging a heavy sled) ⛷️🧊

In the Polar Night. So, 20-21 hours of pitch black and 3-4 hours of blue-ish dark. Except on the days it blizzarded and we couldn’t see anything at all.

But in the hours we could see. The most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen in my life. Everything is worth it for that. Northern Lapland. Indescribable.

And we got to ski to the Finland – Norway – Sweden tri-nations border. V cool.

Between -15°C and -40°C.

On the plus side: Antarctica will be always light. That’ll be so much easier physically and mentally.

On the “still a lot of training to do” side:

Our pulks (sleds) in Antarctica will be a LOT heavier. This was ~25/30kg. Antarctica will be around 80kg.

And longer. 120 days. In a tent.

My main worries: anything steeper than the gentlest downhill, especially when dragging a pulk. Dragging the pulks up steep uphills. Getting up when I fall (hard when attached to skis and sled). And my hands. They were (mostly) fine when skiing but got SO cold sometimes. One night, after a long day at -40 and not enough food, I lost function in my hands for a couple of hours.

But.

But. I have 1 year and 9 months to get stronger, fitter and better at skiing and perfect the kit. And last week gave me so much confidence. I can do this.

I’ve come back more excited than ever for Antarctica.

Next up: 2-week polar survival course in Feb. Then crevasse rescue training, a polar expedition medicine course, hopefully a Greenland crossing in Sept. Plus a lot more time on skis and general strength training. And we need to do another ‘mini’ (4 week ish) expedition before we go.

(And raise a lot of sponsorship to cover the logistics). A GREAT chance to get your brand in some unbeatable locations and the world’s harshest conditions. Get in touch 🙂