Finally I have some time to inform you about our training in Alaska.

Since our return from Alaska at the end of March I had to make several visits to Europe to meet with ALE and the underwriters. Therefore time just was not available to write an update. Unfortunately it was only possible for Brian, Linda, John and I to participate. Lucie, John, Gerlinde & Ralf had other commitments. All of them are experienced in trekking through the ice in the Antarctic. We will all catch up at a later training session.

This trip, trekking through the wilderness of Alaska was just fantastic. To be able to manage your daily routine and trekking in such a cold climate is definitely a challenge.

It was a huge lesson for us and having Brian with us, showing us the ropes and how to survive in such a cold climate, was a great help. All things started to make sense and fall into place very quickly and it became very enjoyable.

Trip 1.

For the first trip we had planned to travel by plane to Prudhoe Bay, which is located at the most northern part of Alaska. Unfortunately due to the second coldest winter ever recorded in the history of Alaska, it was decided not to undertake this trip. I think someone mentioned that the temperatures in Prudhoe Bay were around -60°C to -80°C and that was just too cold to learn how to survive, especially for the first time.

Our first (Brian, John & Bernd) trip was to Eklutna Lake where we skied and camped for 3 days. The weather was just so kind to us with lots of sunshine. The scenery was a dream, the air was so clean but the nights were extremely cold. Skiing in fresh new powder snow across a frozen lake with no cars, phones and any other office noise was just divine.

On the trip we had only one tent. 3 rugged up shivering expeditioners sleeping in one tent was not easy especially with John in between Brian & myself. Brian pushed John away at night so I got suffocated. I pushed John away so Brian got squashed. Suddenly, at 2 am in the morning a burst of excitement as everyone was gasping for air, as the tent inside slowly froze up and was covered by a thick layer of ice crystals. To cut a long story short, Brian & John slept outside and finally I had some room in my little fridge but not for long as it was warmer to sleep outside than in the tent. This was a short first night but being out there was just fantastic.

We always asked Brian, how cold was it at night? But there was always something wrong with his gadgets!. Brian knew that there was nothing wrong but he just did not want to tell us how cold it was. Our guess was that the temperature at night was about -25°C to - 35°C but it was probably colder. We felt it anyhow.

Distance travelled? Maybe 8-10 miles per day but this gave us the opportunity to test our gear, learn how to handle skis again and how to cook and camp at night. To be honest going to the gym every day to get fit is nothing in comparison to pulling a sled with all your gear.

The third morning John and I thought Brian had loaded our sleds with rocks at night as our bodies did not feel strong enough but after a while we got into a rhythm and the world looked great again.

The sleds we used were great and just fitted everything in for a short haul. But these sleds also had a mind of their own. It either wiped you out from behind without giving any notice or started to overtake you that you had the feeling that it just wanted to get away from you. The only option then was to hop on and take a ride in whatever direction it would take you.

These first training days in such a cold climate where nature and the gear dictate the rules gave us a great insight into what our journey will be like. The Antarctic will be the toughest assignment we will have to manage and we need a lot more training. But we were still looking forward to our second trip after Linda arrived in Anchorage


Trip 2:

Now with Linda on board it gave us extra comfort as we had another shoulder to lean on if things went wrong. Linda was a great support but still we had to master our own mishaps and there were thankfully not too many of them.

The second trip was to another lake called Skilak Lake south of Anchorage. Again we had magnificent weather and clear and sunny days but still cold but not as cold as on the first trip. Unfortunately our excitement

was quickly diminished when we, on our way to Skilak Lake, arrived at a very serious accident, which had just occurred. We all immediately provided first aid until such time as the rescue people arrived. Anyone reading this may say that it should not have been mentioned but I only can say to you, whoever is reading this "Go and learn First Aid'. It is very important to be able to help, as it may be a person very close to you who needs help!!!

 

After 3 hours we finally made our way to the lake. We started unpacking to get ready for another few days out in the wild of Alaska.

Our second trip was not as cold as on our first one but a lot windier at the end. This time we pushed ourselves a bit harder as everyone realised that such training is needed and of course there is more to come in the future.


Skiing, camping, testing gear and packing everything up again for the day became somehow easier. Being in such a cold climate the do's and don'ts are accepted and the right action required is implemented much quicker.

Our last day, especially on the home run, was very windy and cold. Is this a sign, even so it was only a small hint, what to expect in the Antarctic? Yes it was but as told by Linda that it can get even more uncomfortable, the excitement to get ready to go to the Antarctic started to set in again.

Our drive home, after the second trip, was somehow disappointing even so we stopped at McDonalds to eat a McKinley Burger (Imagine 3 Big Macs™ in one). Being out here in the wilderness, in a part of the world, which is a scenic paradise, we were not looking forward to be locked up in an office again. Reality came back quickly but then one thing is for sure, in 2009 our Antarctic Expedition will go ahead with the best team ever put together.

Thank you to Brian, Marla & their friends in Alaska, Linda & John D. for being great sports. We had a lot of fun together and we will meet again soon.

Special Comments:

All of the readers out there following our expedition, with or without the experience, may I say on behalf of all the team members a big "Thank You" for your support. I know people think we are all mad doing it but let me remind you that what ever this team has to do to follow it through, to take 10 young people with us to be part of this exciting venture, we will have proven to all of you that our motto "Dream Big & Dare to Fail" does work, and it will work for you as well.

We will show to the world, in film and print, that anyone, wherever they come from can achieve their dream. Try and fulfill your dream as many times as necessary until you succeed. If you give up you will have failed.

Please support this event and the production of the Cinema Movie. The net financial benefit generated by the Antarctic Expedition 2009 will be going to a nominated charity. We will give every charity interested to be associated with and to support this event the opportunity to apply. Just contact us using the details supplied on this website.

"Dream Big & Dare to Fail"