Course Overview
Run out of the remote mountain village of Finse at the heart of the spectacular Hardangervidda plateau in Norway, the purpose of the course is to prepare individuals for participation in a shorter, guided polar expedition such as skiing the last degree to the South or North Pole.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in the afternoon. Gear checks. Orientation. Welcome dinner.
Days 2-3
Morning classroom sessions, afternoon practical outdoor sessions, learning to cross-country ski, evening lectures.
Days 4, 5, 6
A mini expedition into the national park, camping and learning to manage ourselves and our equipment in the extreme cold.
Day 7
Return to the village. De-mob all our gear. Final summary session. Celebration dinner.
Day 8
Depart Finse
“I never thought I’d learn so much. It’s by far the best outdoor workshop that I ever attended. Totally focused in preparing us to go safe and with all the knowledge to have a enjoyable expedition, instead of just surviving a South Pole trip.”
Course Topics Covered
Clothing
The correct use of layers and how to combine base layers, mid layers and outer layers to best effect in an extreme working environment; a close look at the different types of clothing and materials available; hands and face management; socks; vapor barrier footwear; using your clothing, venting and temperature control; footwear, boots and bindings; skis, skins, fish scales; snowshoes and camp footwear.
Tents
Different styles, type, designs and brands of tents desirable features and preparing tents for polar use.
Camping
Orientation of camp for weather, drifting and cooking; erecting and protecting camp in extreme conditions; bear security in the Arctic; making your tent into a practical working space; preparing toilets; allocating tasks to the team; solar panels; efficient camping; camping etiquette; sleeping bags, brands, features, uses; getting a good night’s sleep, hot water bottles, drying clothing and equipment as you sleep; mats, Thermarests, insulation from the ground, vapor barrier bags; field repairs.
Cooking
Safety for cooking inside a tent; carbon monoxide management; stove types; stove boards; fuel types, usage and management; stove and pump maintenance; using snow for water; pots, kettles and pans; heat exchangers and aluminum wraps; managing steam; washing up; packing a tent kitchen bag
Health, Nutrition and Hygiene
What to eat; what to do with hair and beards; washing options; wash bag essentials; teeth and lip care; foot care – dealing with blisters and pressure sores; finger splits; vitamins and supplements; polar coughing; sun protection; snow blindness; preventing and dealing with frostbite; emotional preparation and management; carbon monoxide poisoning; medical kit contents; pain management; accessing remote medical advice
Training and Physical Preparation
General fitness; tire pulling; building endurance; weight gain; mental preparation
Navigation
Charts, latitude, longitude and the magnetic poles; GPS use; compass use; natural navigation resources, sun, wind, surface features, clouds; navigating in zero visibility; working together.
Weather
Overview of weather systems in the main polar regions, managing difficult conditions.
Comms, Power and Electronics
GPS; satellite phones; InReaches; Starlink; solar charging; batteries; iPhones; laptops; options for blogging and sending data; cameras; sched calls and communication with a base person.