Connecting the Expedition & Adventure community

Greenland Icecap Challenge – 5th June – Free Race Preview Day

In May 2011 the first ever Greenland Icecap Challenge will take place. This unique event is a 540km race where competitors will complete a full traverse of the icecap, a feat that is highly acclaimed among the world of polar explorers. Competitors will survive for between 18 – 27 days in one of the most inhospitable places in the world. Surviving in temperatures of -35°C, pulling pulks up to 75kg

If the Greenland Icecap Challenge has grabbed your attention, but your unsure if you are capable, don’t know how to raise the funds, you want to know exactly what is involved and included, then please come along to our free event preview day, designed to answer any questions you may have.

Even for those you who have already decided that this is a once in a life time opportunity not to be missed, our event preview will provide you with a wealth of crucial information as well as an opportunity to meet your fellow racers.

The event preview will take place on the 5th of June at the Marriott Royal Hotel in Bristol. We will start at 9.30am and cover all of the below and more, and will have plenty of time for Q&A as we go.

• Greenland – General information about the icecap, weather patterns and landscape features, full race details, route, solo and team classes, supported and unsupported class options.

• Timeline – The commitment involved over the following 12 months.

• Training Schedules – Fitness levels, UK training weekends, compulsory training week in Norway.

• Equipment – A full equipment demonstration, expedition food, kit lists and clothing explanations.

• Race Routines – Recommended tent and travel routines including how to pace yourself.

• Navigation Training – Navigating using GPS as well as compass back up.

• Safety and Rescue Procedures – The dangers; crevasses, Polar Bears and the cold temperatures will all be discussed (detailed protocol will be taught in the compulsory training sessions once entered).

• Race Fees – What’s included, payment schedule options, sponsorship and charity fundraising tips.

During the day tea, coffee, and cakes will be served, as well as a hot buffet lunch. We will finish the session by 4.30pm hopefully with your mind made up that the race IS for you.

In the evening we are offering an un-missable opportunity to meet back in the bar at 7.30pm for a truly inspirational evening from a selection of record breaking polar explorers!

After a short address from the race organiser Charlie Paton, a veteran Polar Guide who has spent an enormous amount of time on the Arctic Ocean/ Polar regions, Alan Chambers, Ann Daniels and Ed Coates will hope to entertain and inspire you with their tales of polar travel.

Alan Chambers MBE – Leader of the first British team to walk unsupported from Canada to the Geographic North Pole.

Ann Daniels – The first woman in history, along with expedition team mate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams.

Ed Coates – Team member, along with James Cracknell and Ben Fogle, who raced to the South Pole last year as part of the BBC documentary On Thin Ice.

There will then be the opportunity to ask any further questions and have a chat with Charlie, Alan, Ann and Ed, as well as some of your potential competitors over a pint or two.

We can’t wait to meet you and share with you our fascination and wonderment for the Arctic.

Please email us with your full name to reserve a place for the event preview day on the 5th of June info {at} greenlandicecapchallenge(.)com

By Belinda Kirk | Published in: News