Arctic Survival Skills Training

On Thursday 24th January, I fly out to snowy Sweden to help deliver an Arctic survival skills course for a week.  This is with a great company called Intrepid Expeditions based in Devon.  I will be helping to deliver some of the training, but this will also prove to be a very useful refresher for my own skills in preparation for the Arctic Circle Trail in August.  

Welcome

Welcome to my Arctic Circle Trail blog.

Trekking 180 km from the foot of a glacier, across rugged crags, around countless lakes negotiating bogs and quicksand whilst following the route of the Arctic Circle as it slices through Greenland to the ocean. Sounds like a great adventure doesn't it?  It is.  What makes this trek a challenge is the sheer remoteness, isolation and the need to be very accurate with navigation.  Once on the trail, there are no roads, no settlements, no shops and no mobile phone signal. If something goes wrong then rescue is a long and cold wait away.  

Let's cut to the chase.  Having a high sense of adventure is one thing, but using it to raise money for a good cause makes the effort even more worth while. That's why I am going to complete the Arctic Circle Trail for Help the Hospices.
  
Young or old, Help the Hospices provides care to those with terminal illnesses to ensure people get the most from the life they have left. They also ensure that those nearing the end of their lives are provided with support,comfort and dignity. Much needed support and advice is also provided to the families and loved ones who are coming to terms with having to say goodbye.  Palliative care is incredibly important, but it's also expensive.  It costs almost £1 million per day to keep one hospice running.  This is why I have chosen to use this adventure to raise money and awareness for Help the Hospices.  
It would be great of you could help by making a donation.  using our Just Giving page:
  https://www.justgiving.com/ArcticTrailChallenge

In addition to donations, I are interested in hearing from individuals or businesses who would like to help fund the expedition itself.  The main costs we need to cover are for flights and food.
Approximate costs:    
Flight from UK to Copenhagen (return)  £225.00  
Flight from Copenhagen to Greenland (return) £650.00
Internal flight (if required)  £120.00
Food £150.00

If you think you can help with some or all of these costs in order to make this expedition happen, then please get in touch.

You can follow progress on twitter: adventure_jon 

Thank you.