Shackleton Challenge: Finse, Norway Expedition

In March of 2022 I will be breaking away from my usual forms of adventure and fun (I.E. climbing trees, jumping off waterfalls, and walking really far) to step into a whole new world to me: the world of polar exploration.

Though the times of great polar expeditionists such as Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen are gone from us now, there are still many amazing feats of endurance that showcase the raw power of the human spirit in such cold and cruel environments. Whether propelled by the wind on a kite-sled, pulled by dogs, or trekking across the frozen landscapes of the world with nordic skis, the icy corners of this world are quickly becoming the proving grounds for modern adventurers hungry to prove that they still hold the same unwavering persistence of those in the golden age of exploration.

Let me be clear in saying that I am not one of them, at least not yet. While it does play in my favor to have gone on multiple long-distance, often solitary thru-hikes and endurance runs, that doesn’t change the fact that I grew up in the American Southeast. Shackleton, the company that is putting together these polar challenges, has a rating system of 1-5 wherein newcomers and polar novices start at level 1 and work their way up through the system until they can navigate these harsh, subzero landscapes with experience and confidence. Through a means of charismatic enthusiasm for the program or some sort of faith my expedition managers Wendy Searle and Louis Rudd have placed in me, I am skipping levels 1 and 2 and diving straight into a level 3 challenge in Norway this Winter.

The team will be swapping leaders as we break snow on nordic skis through the frozen Norwegian landscape and across Hardangerjokulen; one of Norway’s largest glaciers. Temps are predicted to remain at subzero and we will be practicing navigation in an often featureless and possibly whited-out, blizzard environment. What this means is I have a lot of training to do on my own this Winter to make sure I am ready for the endeavor.

Hardangerjokulen Glacier (Source: Flickr)

My training will take me away from my small town in North Carolina and into Montana for the Winter as I practice dragging my pulk (a sled containing all my gear) across the snowy planes for a handful of multi-day practice trips. To further my understanding of polar travel I have reached out to a very ambitious newcomer in this world, Preet Chandi, for other training tips and pitfalls I should avoid as I prepare for the trip. Preet’s advice comes supplemental to the coaching and guidance of my incredible expedition managers while I prepare to beat the learning curve ahead of me.

This journey is one very large stepping stone on a project I’ve been dreaming up for almost three years now. The skills I will acquire in preparation for this trip will be instrumental in helping me realize one of my ultimate dreams as well as granting me access to other endurance challenges in the future (I’m looking at you, South Pole).

I will be regularly updating my website with my training as well as other endurance challenges along the way which will keep me focused on the goal. Follow my Instagram @YonderingThruLife (also linked in the footer of this page) to see some of my training and preparation videos as well as the other assortment of madness I regularly share.

-Love and Appreciation to You All