Polar Training - great feedback!

Thanks so much for your kind comments - Justin Miles and Adam Browne:

"I can’t thank you enough for last week. Every day was a pleasure and your teaching style was simply brilliant." Justin Miles.

SEE HIS VIDEO

Adam Browne said, "Thankyou for an amazing week. The accomodation was awesome and extremely friendly, Im glad to have had the opportunity to go to Svalbaard, which means that I now need to go back to see more of it.
I found the training very informative in a casual way and enjoyed undertaking the tasks.
Jim's wealth of knowledge and experience shines through his friendly and approachable teaching style, this and meeting like minded people has made this experience unforgetable"

Tranquil Start

The first thing we saw when we opened our eyes was that snow had landed on the roof of the tent. Silence prevailed apart from the various snorts, wriggles and gaseous exchanges of people stealing themselves to tackle the day.
We had camped further up the valley right at the base of Longyearbreen and the snow was still gently falling as we were breakfasting on scrambled eggs with bacon or hot muesli and mango (sounds better than it is, dehydrated and out of a packet!).
having packed away pretty proficiently the guys embarked on their morning sledge haul route.
Afternoon was spent back in the hut going over daily routines, polar tips and tricks and through a full Safety Strategy form top to tail.
A quick sort of the gear and then down to town for a proper meal.


- Jim

Location:Longyearbreen Glacier - 5th Morning

Day Three - Polar Training

And the third day they rose from their pit and ventured out.
Daily ski in the morning, Matt, Justin and Adam making it to the top of the Longyearbreen glacier.
Session on maps, navigation and GPS followed by walkies to discover what information you can gleam and how from your GPS.
Video and slides to illustrate protecting yourself from polar bear encounters (the only land mammal which will actively hunt man) and then their first pulk pull on skis – which proved shockingly difficult slightly uphill at minus 18.
Didn’t go very far but swirling wind made it slightly tricky putting up the big 8 man Marmot Lair tent but although it took 40 minutes it was secured very well.
Turned in after an good feed thanks to Adam and hot drinks from Matt (Justin in full support of both – me hovering and bothering as usual!) Beginning to really gel now as a team!

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

First Day of Polar Training

Having collected the three chaps Matt, Adam and Justin from the airport at one o'clock in the morning I thought we'd have a bit of a lie in and got stuck into the training after breakfast at a leisurely 10:15hrs.
Bit of getting to know each other and understand each others expectations and aspirations our first session was bringing a polar perspective on clothing and how to get to the stage where you are properly clothed and you can manage that clothing to best effect.
Then we got the skis out, talked through the skis themselves, the bindings and ski poles and got straight out into a calm snow clad valley at minus 8 degrees - perfect learning conditions.
After inputting the few but vital set of techniques which we use to ski efficiently, the session was all about trying to perfect these.
All three of them were downhill skiers so I knew there would be some heavy re-training necessary. Matt was a natural, Adam started slow and unsure but quickly got to grips and Justin was slower but not that far behind.
The session ended down the valley in Longyearbyen with a naughty bun and wonderful, richly deserved cup of hot chocolate.
Quick bit of shopping for a lunches and snacks and then second ski session up the hill to Huset for our supper. This time the wind had got up and was blowing a blizzard right into our faces.
Squeezed in a final bit on risk appreciation to finish the day off.
- Jim

Location:Nybyen, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Calling All Would-Be Explorers

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