Polar Explorers | Polar Training

Our Polar shakedown trip is the best Polar training opportunity on the market. We cover everything from clothing and equipment systems, to cooking, packing a dogsled or pulk, safety systems, and traveling over the ice by dogsled or ski. More...

Expedition Dates

2011 Tentative Dates: January 26-January 30, 2011

2012 Tentative Dates: January 25-January 29, 2012

Expedition Pricing

2011 Pricing: $2,000 (In Ely MN, USA. Includes 2 nights at lodge and 2 nights in tents, all meals)

2012 Pricing: TBA

Can't make these dates? Contact us about our Expedition Essentials training program in Longyearbyen, Norway just prior to the North Pole expeditions in April, 2011.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive in Ely, shuttle to our first night's lodge. Over a hearty dinner you'll have an opportunity to meet the other members of the Shakedown training and discuss with your PolarExplorers' guide the upcoming days. After dinner your PolarExplorers' guide will perform an in depth review of Polar equipment and closely review each participants clothing and equipment.
Day 2-4:	After breakfast we'll have a few classes and then it's time to hit the trail! For two days & nights you'll experience what its like to survive (and thrive!) in extremely cold temperatures. We'll cover all sorts of important information (see a sampling of the class list below), and help you gain invaluable experience prior to your expedition. On our final night we'll make our way back to our lodge for hot showers. On most trips, our final night includes the opportunity to ski into a hole cut into the ice. This exercise gives you critical experience in dealing with cold water submerging (an unlikely, but possible occurrence on a North Pole expedition).
Day 5:	Before individuals depart for their respective homes, they will have an individual review with their PolarExplorers' guide. This review is designed to help individuals focus on certain aspects of personal preparations. Our guides will help you create a solid plan so that you arrive for your expedition as prepared as possible.

This itinerary is highly dependent on a number of factors and is subject to change. Contact us for a more detailed itinerary!

Qualifications
This training is for people who are in good shape, and who are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to either pull a loaded sled or work with a dogteam for several hours at a time, with only a short break in between sessions .Towards the end of the day you'll need to have the energy reserves to set up camp, melt snow for hot tea or cocoa, and help make dinner. This trip can encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging. You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this trip, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the trip more enjoyable and safer. Please contact us with further questions!

Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide including an instructional DVD that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants.

1 pair skis and ski poles (supplied by PolarExplorers)
1 pair skins covering the full length of your skis (supplied by PolarExplorers)
1 pair snow pack ski boots (bring your own or let PolarExplorers supply this item)
1 pair extra boot liners (bring your own or let PolarExplorers supply this item)
Sleeping bag rated to at least -35° Celsius (bring your own or let PolarExplorers supply this item)
Bivy sack (bring your own or let PolarExplorers supply this item)
2 sleeping pads (PolarExplorers will provide one pad)
1 wind anorak with hood
1 wind pants
1 insulated parka with hood
1 warm fleece jacket and pants
2 sets synthetic underwear, medium weight top and bottom- 2nd set optional
3 sets mitts: 1 regular, 1 overmitts, 1 spare regular mitts or gloves
2 pair liner gloves
2 hats: 1 lightweight balaclava, 1 ski type
2 neck gaiters
3 pair socks and sock liners
1 face mask
Sun glasses and/ or mountain ski glasses
2 pr. anti-fog goggles
1 sturdy small backpack with waist belt and sternum strap
2 Thermos bottles or insulated water bottles
1 set eating utensils with bowl
Pocket knife / multi-tool
Personal toiletries
1 pee bottle (small plastic bottle)
Face cream, lip protection
4 carabiners

What's Included:

All lodging and food as outlined in itinerary
All group equipment and some personal gear (skis system, sled system)
Permits
Communication and safety gear.

What's Not Included:

Round trip airfare to Ely, Minnesota
Personal clothing and equipment (see list below)
Trip cancellation and baggage insurance.

Full Expedition Description
Our Polar shakedown trip is the best Polar training opportunity on the market. We cover everything from clothing and equipment systems, to cooking, packing a dogsled or pulk, safety systems, and traveling over the ice by dogsled or ski. Days are spent skiing and/or dogsledding in conditions similar to those you will find at the North or South Poles. Classes are scheduled throughout the day to maximize your learning, and to give you opportunities to ask questions. Evenings are spent making camp and learning how to survive comfortably in the extreme cold. Nighttime readings from the journals of Polar explorers add to the magic of the experience.

Once you arrive in the Polar region, there is no time to learn the essentials of surviving in the cold. People who have attended the shakedown trip are able to handle the stresses in a systematized manner allowing them the freedom to enjoy their expedition to the fullest. Those who don't have the necessary skills often feel cold, uncomfortable and overwhelmed for the duration of their expedition. In extreme cases, we have seen people on other expeditions drop out before they even left base camp!

If you are going to make the financial, mental and physical commitment to join a polar expedition, why not ensure that you have the best possible experience? Join our Polar Shakedown and make the most of your time on the ice!

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