In February 2026, Erica spent two weeks in Norway on polar survival and expedition training with ALE’s Guinness World Record-holding polar guide Hannah McKeand, ending in a seven-day training expedition.
The first week was based at Finse, sleeping in the comfort of a hut with central heating and two meals a day, learning everything we would need for a polar expedition.
This included how to set up a tent in the snow, how to cook in a tent in the snow, stove repair, polar navigation, navigation in whiteout conditions, kit, what to wear and what not to wear and not to wear too much, what to eat and in what ratios and how many calories we would need, how to prepare food and break it up so we could eat quickly in breaks and on the go if needed, and how to melt water.
We also learnt some skills relevant for anyone planning to go to the Arctic, including setting up a bear fence, swimming in a dry suit, and polar bear habits — including an excellent talk on polar bear behaviour (thankfully we won’t have to worry about bears or swimming in Antarctica) — and some tips on getting up and down hills.
Then seven days on the Hardangervidda putting it into practice, with 37kg sleds, led by Hannah.
I still have Ben and Hannah’s words ringing in my ears — “if you sweat you die” and “be bold, start cold”.
