Extreme Arctic 2010: the preparations

Alison McLure, the IOP’s National Officer in Scotland is to join the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) Extreme Arctic 2010 in Svalbard this April. During the expedition she will keep us up to date with regular features on her research project and life in the Arctic. Here Alison tells us some more about her training in preparation of the expedition.

Training for the BSES Extreme Arctic Expedition 2010 continued in earnest over the weekend 26 – 28 February, when team members met in Scotland to practice skills before leaving for Svalbard in April. The weather came up trumps with lots of snow and cold temperatures. The team was due to meet near Aviemore in Scotland, but roads were blocked and train services disrupted, so we reconvened in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Remarkably every made it, which bodes well for adapting well to conditions in the arctic.

The weekend involved some science sessions, involving looking at the sort of bird, plant and reindeer surveys we will be undertaking in Svalbard. We also took weather observations, which were a bit more accurate than cold, snowy and windy.  Snow pits were dug to look at the snowpack with intense interest, in case of avalanches.

Mountaineering skills were practiced in deep snow and camping techniques were also tested.  We also practiced setting up bear flares and techniques should we encounter any polar bears. The team thoroughly enjoyed their weekend and are well prepared for the expedition. Next stop Svalbard itself.