 Winter
Arctic Survival Expedition - Sweden
Learn survival skills in one of the world's most extreme environments
- the Arctic. In winter this region is transformed by thick ice and
snow, the polar night is long and temperatures can plummet to -50°C.
The region may be challenging but it is also extremely beautiful with
incredible landscapes frequently illuminated by the 'northern lights'.
It is the home of impressive large mammals such as reindeer, moose,
wolverine, wolves and hibernating bears as well as numerous small mammals
and fascinating birds. As with many environments the secret to thriving
here is working with the conditions rather than against them.
Our expedition will be in the Laponia area of northern Sweden, well
within the Arctic Circle. This area is officially designated "the world's
largest unmodified nature area which is cultured by natives...the reindeer
herding Sami people".
We will conduct our initial survival training close to a well equipped
wilderness cabin and using heated tents. We then set off on a 3 day
adventurous expedition into a nearby National Park to apply what you
have learnt and also track wildlife under the expert tuition of a local
guide.
Dates
21 - 29 March 2009
Cost and inclusions
£1400 (You may reserve a place by paying a deposit of £400, with the
balance due two calendar months before the course).
This includes internal transfers to and from Kiruna Airport, all accommodation,
main meals, all training, equipment used on the course, trapping qualification
and Certificate of attendance. It does not include personal kit such
as outdoor clothing and sleeping bags, though there will be some hire
options for this available. Flights not included.
Course content
You will learn some key survival skills for the winter Arctic environment
with the focus being on hands on experience:
 
- Correct dress
- Avoidance and management of cold injuries
- Ice breaking - an optional exercise to learn how to cope if you
fall through ice!
- Cross country skiing
- Polar navigation
- Management and use of heated tents
- Emergency Snow shelters
- Axe use
- Fire lighting in the cold
- Water acquisition,
- Trapping course with qualification (optional)
- Game preparation
- Ice fishing
- Flora and fauna identification and plant uses
- Making snow shoes
- Craft work with local materials
- Hygiene routines
- Tracking
These represent a unique range of essential skills that make this course
both comprehensive and excellent value.
N.B. All activities will run at the instructor's discretion
and based on local weather conditions at the time.
Instructors
The Survival training will be led by Toby Cowern, our guest instructor
with over 15 years of Arctic experience. The tracking expedition into
the National Park will be led by local Swedish wilderness and wildlife
guide Leif Wallerstrom, a veteran hunter and experienced tracker. Our
chief instructor, ecologist, Leon Durbin will also be instructing in
some survival techniques and tracking on the course.
  Requirements:
The course does not require any survival or Arctic experience, though
this is a definite advantage.
You must:
- be over 18 years old;
- have some outdoor experience (e.g. hill walking, camping, adventure
sports, bushcraft etc.)
- have a reasonable level of physical fitness
- have a sense of humour!
For bookings or further information contact
us or phone 01444 482619
All photos © Patricia Cowern
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