GREENLAND EXPERIENCE
The First successful overseas training trip to Greenland by the South Pole team….
May 5 - The team was joined by Roger Mear at Greenland to begin their 20-day training programme.
Roger has trekked, solo, to the North and South Poles. Being an expert in Nordic skills and expedition techniques, he acts as consultant to the team for this training program.
The main objectives were to assess their Nordic skills and to put 800 kilograms of equipment to the test during their trek to an appointed pick-up point. The focus was not on, but rather the techniques and strategies used.
Greenland’s terrain served well to simulate the Antarctic. The monotony of the landscape tested the team’s mental endurance and the crevasses and icefalls called for negotiation skills which will prove to be useful for their Antarctica expedition.
There were also similarities in terms of weather conditions. The team encountered temperatures as low as minus 40oC and blizzards which buried their tents. At the end of 8th day, they had to dig their way out of the snow.
Unpredictable storms damaged equipment and blew away three tents which left the six-member team with only one tent to share.
The team also had experiences unique to Greenland. For example, they had to take extra care when crossing ice-seas. These are bodies of water surfaced with ice which thins when there is a drop in temperature. The other is having to carry a gun in case of an encounter with a polar bear. They were eventually safe from polar bear attacks but not the cold.
Glad to say, every team member returned safely and more confident of their trek to the South Pole.
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