Polar Training Plus
Polar Training Plus
Whether you are training for the toughest polar expedition or simply looking to learn some new cold weather camping skills our Polar Shakedown Training and Polar Training Plus Seminar offer the best way to build your confidence and skill set. Our expert guides have organized and guided over 100 combined polar expeditions making them among the most experienced guides in the industry.
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Polar Training Plus
Building upon what is covered in our Polar Shakedown Training, our Polar Training Plus Seminar dives deep into the essentials of polar expedition travel and prepares you for expeditions that are longer, harder and often unguided. Preparation is emphasized with lessons in route planning, equipment modification, menu planning, nutrition and emergency preparedness. Everyday skills such as navigation, cooking, personal maintenance, field repairs, and communication are also covered. This training culminates with a mini self-guided expedition where you'll put your newly practiced skills to the test followed by an in depth one-on-one review with your guide to create an individualized plan for further skill development.
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Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Ely or Longyearbyen. A PolarExplorers guide will check your kit to ensure you have everything you need. Over a hearty dinner you'll have an opportunity to meet the other members of the training and discuss the upcoming days. After dinner your PolarExplorers guide will review his or her own personal kit and explain the use, maintenance and typical modifications for each item.
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DAY 2
Outdoor and indoor training sessions including packing a sled; skiing techniques; skis, bindings and skins; campsite selection; tents, and more. It's a full day and we'll top it off with a couple of indoor sessions at night along with a big dinner. Sleep will come easy :)
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DAYS 3-5
After breakfast we'll hit the trail! For three days and two nights you'll experience what its like to survive (and thrive!) in extremely cold temperatures. We'll have a combination of formal and impromptu classes that introduce you to the skills you'll need for a polar expedition or any cold weather adventure. Then you'll have a few days to practice. After 3 days / 2 nights of camping we'll head back to the lodge.
DAY 6-9
This is phase two of your Polar Training Plus instruction. It starts with an in-depth review of essential expedition topics which may include GPS settings, waypoints, other tracking and communication devices; developing a travel and emergency plan; navigation; weather, storm-proofing your camp; menu planning, nutrition, and preparing your various kits (first aid, repair, crevasse, etc.) Night 6 is spent in the lodge, allowing our instruction to continue well into the evening. In the afternoon of day 7 you will embark on a mini self guided expedition to test your skills and explore this remote wilderness. For three days / two nights you'll travel by ski and pulk following a rigorous route that is designed to put your skills to use and also build your confidence. You'll follow GPS waypoints that you have entered in your GPS and a travel plan that you have created. The distance will ultimately be determined by conditions but will likely be in the ballpark of 10 miles per day. Towing a second sled will simulate the heavier loads / multiple sleds that are often required on longer expeditions. Daily check-ins with your support team (PE guides) will mimic real expedition communications so you get used to the practice. On the afternoon of the 9th day you'll return to the lodge for a final review including an evaluation of your skills that will help you self assess your preparedness for future expeditions.
DAY 10
Breakfast & final wrap up of the training. Plan some extra time to shop in Ely's outdoor stores that specialize in cold weather kit before your afternoon return to Duluth, Minneapolis or other airport destinations. This itinerary is highly dependent on a number of factors and it is subject to change.
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Qualifications
This training is for people who are in good shape, and who are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a heavy sled for several hours at a time, with only a short break in between "marches".
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Towards the end of the day you'll need to have the energy reserves to set up camp, melt snow for hot tea or cocoa and help make dinner.
This trip can encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging.
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You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this adventure, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the trip more enjoyable and safer.
Please contact us with further questions!
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants. Please contact us for more information about your personal gear and group gear for this expedition.
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Several items on our equipment checklist are available from our store.
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