Training Description

We created our Longyearbyen-based Expedition Essentials training program specifically for people who are interested in doing an expedition to the North or South Poles. This is a condensed version of our full Polar Shakedown training trip which we offer every year in the U.S. We've basically crammed as much of our Polar Shakedown trip as possible into 4 days and we've opened it to everyone.

This training will cover the essential information that any adventurer should know before they embark on a North Pole expedition such as tips for staying warm, the threat of overheating, packing a pulk, accident prevention, open water & thin ice, stove use, cooking tips, equipment maintenance and and practice, practice, practice.

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Includes:

• Welcome reception & dinner
• Pulk
• Ski, poles & skins
• Boots (provide your own or let us provide this item)
• Sleeping systems (provide your own or let us provide this item)
• Guides
• 1 night at hotel
• Dinner and breakfast in Longyearbyen
• All food while on the land
• All group Polar gear, communication and safety gear
• Certificate of completion.

Does not include:

• Round trip airfare to Longyearbyen
• Lunches in Longyearbyen
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal clothing and accessories
• Full medical, baggage, trip cancellation and evacuation insurance.
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• 1 pair skis and ski poles (supplied by PolarExplorers)
• 1 pair skins covering the full length of your skis (supplied by NWP)
• 1 pair snow pack ski boots (bring your own or let NWP supply this item)
• 1 pair extra boot liners (bring your own or let NWP supply this item)
• Sleeping bag (rated to at least -35° Celsius)
• Bivy sack
• 2 sleeping pads (thermarest or ridgerest style)*
• 1 wind jacket with hood (supplied by NWP)
• 1 wind pants (breathable!)
• 1 insulated parka with hood
• 1 warm fleece jacket and pants
• 2 sets synthetic underwear, medium weight top and bottom- 2nd set optional
• 3 sets mitts: 1 regular, 1 overmitts, 1 spare regular mitts or gloves
• 2 pair liner gloves
• 2 hats: 1 lightweight balaclava, 1 ski type
• 2 neck gaiters
• 3 pair socks and sock liners
• 1 face mask
• Sun glasses and/ or mountain ski glasses
• 2 pr. anti-fog goggles
• 1 sturdy small backpack with waist belt and sternum strap
• 2 Thermos bottles or insulated water bottles
• 1 set eating utensils with bowl
• Pocket knife / multi-tool
• Personal toiletries
• 1 pee bottle (small plastic bottle)
• Face cream, lip protection
• 4 carabiners & 5 meters of 6 mm rope

*items available for rent
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Qualifications

This training program is for people who are in good shape, and who are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. Though the skiing is quite demanding, it does not require significant skill (it is very much like walking with skis on). Good balance definately helps! You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a heavy sled (between 30-40 kilos) for several hours at a time. Towards the end of the day when we stop skiing, it is critical that you have the energy reserves to set up camp, melt snow for hot tea or cocoa, and make dinner. Most importantly you need to be able to regulate your body temperature so that you do not get too cold, or too hot while you are on the move. This expedition will encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging. You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this expedition, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the expedition more enjoyable and safer. Please contact us with further questions! Back to top

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