Day Two - Polar Training

A powerful ski first thing is always good for the soul – and for perfecting the little bits of technique we use for pulling our bodyweight and a half over rough sea-ice!
Then after a good breakfast we dug out all the equipment in the store – pulks, tents, ice axes, shovels, bear protection, ropes and stoves – and got to grips with the MSR XGK multi-fuel stove. Because it is your only means of melting snow and re-hydrating it’s essential that what ever goes wrong and in whatever conditions you can repair it.
After a light lunch we talked through tents, first erecting a Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 followed by an 8 man Marmot Lair.
A dip down into town for a good supper and back up the hill to end the day discussing how to mitigate and manage the risks involved in extreme expeditions. A good time had by all.

The only disappointment has been perfect conditions ): with temperatures hovering around minus 10 degrees, beautifully clear skies and no wind – far too nice for training!
But I’ve ordered some wind for when we’re camping tomorrow night!

- Jim

Location:Nybyen, Svalbard, Norway

Location:Svalbard

Ice Warrior April Polar Training Course

Where - Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Norway
When - 4th to 11th April 2011

With elements of both our basic and advanced courses this week is designed to take people with some skills, enhance them and transfer them into the polar setting. Because of the small ratio of Jim to trainees the entry level of skills need not be high, as there will be time to bring participants up to the same level. It is envisaged that further training and controlled experience will be necessary in order to reach full competency but this will give you a very good grounding.

The course will cover -
• Arctic Survival
• Sea Ice Travel
• Skiing/Hauling
• Technical Equipment
• Expeditioning
• Communications
• Clothing Systems
• Route Planning
• Camp Craft
• Emergencies
• Physical Training
• An appreciation of what it takes to lead an expedition properly
• The psychology behind leadership, team work and expeditioning
• Missing person/kit drill/searching an area
• Sea ice training - recognition of types and what they mean.
• How to cross a lead safely
• How the ocean works
• Traversing rough sea ice without damaging yourself or your kit
• Polar bear drills
• How to orchestrate a casualty evacuation
• Introduction of dynamic risk assessment, managing and controlling the risks
• How to navigate in remote areas using GPS
• Weather - Arctic storm systems and how to ride them out
• The floe edge - appreciation of the dangers, practical use of equipment
• Immersion in cold water, signs and symptoms of hypothermia and associated cold injuries
....and more

The course is part accommodated part camping.
Ground Cost: £2000 inclusive of major items of kit – exclusive of insurance and travel to and from Svalbard (around £500).
Access to discounted clothing and personal kit.

For more information please contact Ian Richardson
EMAIL : ian (at) ice-warrior.com
TEL : +44(0)7976 833337
or the Office on +44(0)1344883861