Tuesday 8 February 2011
Sunday 6 February 2011
Training Day - Cannock Chase Forest
On Saturday we travelled up to Cannock Chase forest to be briefed on the upcoming Arctic trip. We met with some of our fellow mushers and the expedition guides that will accompany us in April.
After a presentation on what to expect during the trip we then were introduced to a couple of Huskies to practice setting up the harnesses and finally we were shown what kit we would be expected to take. Rather than detail out everything covered, I thought I would summarise some of the more interesting points covered:
General
It will be a tough challenge both mentally and physically but at the same time extremely rewarding. We are both now quite nervous about the trip but also very excited.
The Cold
It is going to get very cold! The lowest temperatures they have previously experienced is -36 C. We got many tips on what type of clothes to buy and how to dress to keep warm.
Camping will be Tough
By far the toughest part of the trip will be the camping. We will be in the middle of nowhere camping on snow and ice and the tents can get so cold in the night that the condensation from your breath turns to snow! Tips to keep warm include arctic sleeping bags with inner silk liners for extra warmth. We are recommended to sleep in thermals with balaclavas.
Going to the Toilet
Dig a whole and then be quick. You have to burn your toilet paper when you're done. Fabulous.
The Dogs
We will have our own pack of either five or six Husky's depending on the weight of our sled and will be responsible for feeding, harnessing and generally looking after them for the trip. The dogs are extremely powerful and can pull the sled at 20 km/h at pace or cruise at a more leisurely 10 km/h. We practised putting the harness on and the dogs just want to go and run.
Kit
Our kit list has now grown with more essentials including arctic sleeping bags, silk liners, thermos flasks, thermal clothes, balaclavas - I could go on...
After a presentation on what to expect during the trip we then were introduced to a couple of Huskies to practice setting up the harnesses and finally we were shown what kit we would be expected to take. Rather than detail out everything covered, I thought I would summarise some of the more interesting points covered:
General
It will be a tough challenge both mentally and physically but at the same time extremely rewarding. We are both now quite nervous about the trip but also very excited.
The Cold
It is going to get very cold! The lowest temperatures they have previously experienced is -36 C. We got many tips on what type of clothes to buy and how to dress to keep warm.
Camping will be Tough
By far the toughest part of the trip will be the camping. We will be in the middle of nowhere camping on snow and ice and the tents can get so cold in the night that the condensation from your breath turns to snow! Tips to keep warm include arctic sleeping bags with inner silk liners for extra warmth. We are recommended to sleep in thermals with balaclavas.
Going to the Toilet
Dig a whole and then be quick. You have to burn your toilet paper when you're done. Fabulous.
The Dogs
We will have our own pack of either five or six Husky's depending on the weight of our sled and will be responsible for feeding, harnessing and generally looking after them for the trip. The dogs are extremely powerful and can pull the sled at 20 km/h at pace or cruise at a more leisurely 10 km/h. We practised putting the harness on and the dogs just want to go and run.
Kit
Our kit list has now grown with more essentials including arctic sleeping bags, silk liners, thermos flasks, thermal clothes, balaclavas - I could go on...
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