Specialist Equipment

The following equipment will be carried at all times whilst moving:

Rucksack – expected weight 18kg (40 lbs)

• Rucksack 40 Litre
• Sleeping Mat
• Sleeping Bag
• Tent Quasar (1 between 2)
• Snow Pegs
• Bivi Bag
• Duvet Jacket
• Lightweight mid layer fleece
• Spare base layer
• Spare socks
• Gortex Shell top and bottoms
• Maps
• Spare Warm Hat/Balaclava
• Spare Warm Gloves
• Strobe (1 between 4)
• Goggles
• Head Torch with spare batteries
• Sunscreen
• Candle
• Candle Lamp
• Ski Wax
• Cooker and Fuel Bottle (1 between 2)
• Mess tin and spoon
• Shovel
• Ski Skins
• Avalanche Probe (1 between 2)
• Flask and Fluids container
• Rations
• Toothbrush and paste
• Personal First Aid Kit
• Satellite Phone (1 between team)

Worn and on Person

• Base Layer top and bottoms
• Socks cold weather
• Ski Boots
• Gaiters
• Trousers
• Ski Jacket
• Mid layer (close at hand in rucksack if not worn)
• Gloves Ski Light
• Sunglasses Glacier
• Hat light
• Lipsalve
• GPS (1 between 2)
• Altimeter (1 between 2)
• Compass
• Avalanche Transceiver
• Whistle
• Bag Survival
• Day Map (1 between 4)
• Skies Fischer 200 cm
• Ski Poles 145 cm

Training

UK Training

UK training continues on an individual basis based on advice from Bernie Shrosbree. The veterans are training hard to condition their bodies for the rigours of a 1000km ski. A team training weekend was held in Snowdonia on the 18 – 20 December 2009. The aim of the training weekend was to assess the current fitness levels of the team and to provide advice and guidance on training regimes to be adopted in the lead up to the expedition. Day 1 was a 6 hour ‘yomp’ over snow clad mountains; day 2 was a 25km mountain bike ride mainly uphill over ice and snow.

Winter Deployment 2010 to Norway

The 6 novices are currently deployed to Norway undertaking their cold weather warfare training. They are learning cross country skiing and the skills necessary to operate and survive in extreme cold weather. In their spare time they will be conditioning their bodies for the expedition and honing their ski technique. Fitness alone is not enough to make the distance. They must be able to ski proficiently and have good technique. This will enable the novices to conserve energy whilst skiing, which is paramount if the distance is going to be achieved in the timescale.

Pre Expedition Norway Training

Prior to deploying on the expedition, each member of the team will complete a Joint Services Mountain Training Centre certified course. The novices will complete the Joint Services Ski Proficiency Course whilst the veterans will complete the Joint Services Ski Tour Leader Course. The aim of these courses will be to train and assess the team in the skills required to take part in and lead the ski expedition.