Age and Experience versus the Challenge

The average age of the more experienced skiers (veterans) is 49 whilst the average age of the novices is 20. The mix of these 2 age groups, skiing 1000km across Norway, will prove to be a very interesting contrast, particularly in terms of fitness, durability and skiing ability. The novices are young and fit with bodies that will easily be able to cope with the rigours of skiing 50 km a day for 20 consecutive days – they are, however, inexperienced on skis and may therefore struggle with the technical challenge of skiing the distance and traversing both up and down significant mountain peaks. The veterans on the other hand have a considerable amount of individual and collective experience operating in the arctic, but they will have to be more careful not to pick up injuries along the way, particularly early into the expedition. They will be conditioned for the ski, but it is difficult to determine what affect skiing 50km a day over 20 consecutive days will have on their bodies – time will tell. Ski technique will of course be fundamental, but maintaining that technique over the full distance will be a challenge, especially during the mountain phase in the Jotunheimen.

Linking Veterans with Young Marines

It is not often that the opportunity comes along to pair up a group of older Royal Marines veterans, most from the Falklands era, with a group of younger Royal Marines from the Afghanistan era. One of the main reasons for undertaking the expedition is to offer these young Royal Marines the opportunity to undertake a challenging adventurous training activity, and it doesn’t get much more challenging than to ask 5 novices to ski 1000km in just 20 days! The veterans will each buddy up with the young Royal Marines and mentor them throughout the expedition teaching ski technique, navigation and operating in arctic conditions. Commando spirit will shine through and cheerfulness in the face of adversity and determination (core values) will be much in demand.

Distance and Climb

The planned distance is 1000km to be skied in just 20 days. The distance skied each day will vary depending on the terrain and prevailing weather conditions. In general, the expedition team will try to get as much distance under their belts as possible before traversing the Jotunheimen mountain park – here the terrain will be very difficult and the going slow. During the first 8 days the team will therefore average 55km per day – this will be a tough start, but important if the overall distance is to be achieved in the timeframe; the worst case scenario is to try to make the distance up on the mountains. During the ski through the Jotunheimen, the distance will be shorter, circa 45km per day, but the height gain will be significant and the weather conditions potentially at their worst. In the final 7 days the team will traverse the Hardangervidda. Once on top of this ‘ice cap’ the terrain will be more favourable and depending on the weather, the plan will be to cover circa 55km a day. The overall climb has been roughly calculated at 32 thousand feet, a little over the height of Mt. Everest, again this is significant and another factor contributing to the teams decision to ski light but fast. Skiing cross country at night in bad weather may be necessary, but will hopefully be avoided or at least reduced to the absolute minimum necessary to achieve the aim.

Royal Marines and Norway

The Arctic North is widely regarded by Royal Marines as the ultimate training environment and it has regularly been said that if you can survive and operate in the Norwegian Arctic, then you can survive and operate just about anywhere in the world. Royal Marines generally deploy to Norway between January and March in order to take full advantage of the most extreme and challenging weather conditions. It is an excellent training ground for Mountain and Cold Weather Warfare and it is still used today to hone individual and collective skills – 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines deployed on the 4 January 2010. The skills Royal Marines learn in Norway make them fit to fight anywhere in the world. The conditions on the Hardangervidda or Jotunheimen are perfect for any location the Royal Marines may find themselves in. Training in the Arctic teaches you to be disciplined. You must be able to overcome the climatic conditions and operate with ease in such extremes so that all your energy can be focused on defeating the enemy. You cannot use the climate as an excuse not to be able to fight. The Royal Marines deploying to Norway this year will be using the skills learned on future deployments to Afghanistan.  In the past, Royal Marines have died operating in this environment and it is the aim of the expedition team to ski to areas where some have lost their lives and remember them.

Telemark Heroes

In February 1943 Norwegian members of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) carried out what is widely regarded amongst Royal Marines today as one of the most audacious commando operations of the Second World War; the raid on the German heavy water plant in the Norwegian province of Telemark. Initially termed Operation Freshman, the raid involved sending 30 British commandoes by glider to Norway in order to destroy the Heavy Water Plant. The intention was for the commandos to team up with a four-man Norwegian SOE team that had previously parachuted onto the Hardangervidda. The harsh winter conditions however caused both gliders to crash. This cost the lives of all the British commandos, some of whom died when the gliders crashed, whilst the survivors were captured, tortured by the Gestapo and then shot. Freshman was superseded by Operation Gunnerside whereby a further six Norwegian SOE saboteurs were parachuted into the North of the Hardangervidda. They subsequently skied 200km south, met up with the original Norwegian team, reached the heavy water plant near Rjukan, blew it up and then escaped on skis. The majority then trekked some 300 miles to neutral Sweden. This outstanding commando raid dealt a serious blow to Nazi attempts to build an atomic bomb and the whole episode was the subject of a Hollywood film, ‘The Heroes of Telemark’, starring Kirk Douglas. The expedition team will pick up the Gunnerside route in the Harangervidda and follow in the saboteurs footsteps to Rjukan.

The Baton

The Baton has been crafted with care and respect from the handle of a stretcher used in Afghanistan to carry the wounded and those in need. It contains a message from the British people to the Armed Forces offering their support and best wishes. It has now returned home from Helmand Province to a new role in recognition of those who have paid and those who are ready to pay the ultimate price with their lives. The Baton will be carried by the expedition team for the whole 1000km and we will spread the message. For more information about the Baton and the objectives please visit