2012 Arctic Courses. <<>> Discussion thread. <<>>

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Wayland

Hárbarðr
You'll have to make some like you learned to then Chris.. :cool:

We're getting close to the point that we could do with a bit more information about logistics for planning.

For example:

Are we sourcing water from a river or lake source, which may need purifying, or are we melting snow for all of it?

What kind of arrangements do we need to make for sanitation? (Is there going to be a latrine area or are we bagging and carrying?)

What sort of ratio is there between activity and stationary tutorials? (Makes a big difference to keeping warm.)

Will there be equipment available for processing firewood or do we need to bring such items between ourselves. (Splitting axe, wedges, bowsaw etc.)

Would it be useful to bring a couple of bars for the fire or will something like this be available on site?

Just a quick bump for these questions.

Is anybody else growing a 'full set' for Norway. I'm 4 weeks in and no longer look anything like my passport photo!

I don't have to grow a set, I've got it already with ear warmers to match.
 

Chris the Cat

Full Member
Jan 29, 2008
2,850
14
Exmoor
Hhmm... Mine weren't the best Wayland ( read, rubbish! ), its a fiddley, gloves off job,
We will need the fire good and blazing!
Chris.
 

Woody

Forager
All,

Apologies for the delay replying to various questions.
If you have any (questions) in future, please email the office rather than post them on here as i do not get chance to come on the forum on a regular basis.
(questions and answers will then be posted on the forum for all to read)

anyway, in answer to those I have now seen:

1. Water: this will be sourced from a water hole that we will cut at the lake and/or river and from snow melt where appropriate.

2. Latrines: these will be dug as far as the conditions will allow. Human waste will be left to break down naturally and all paper etc will be centralized and burned - this will be one of many of the course responsibilities - welcome to Wilderness living, warts and all!!

3. Firewood and the processing of: fire wood will be collected from the surrounding area, those that have axes and saws are asked to bring them along (nothing larger than an SFA) But there will be sufficient available should no one bring any.

4. Fire dogs/irons: where possible we intend to utelise natures resources for all our needs, if however an individual wants to bring such items they are welcome to do so, but be aware, any thing you bring will have to be carried in and more importantly carried out.

I will be posting more information over the coming weeks as well as posting individuals additional information?
If you have any questions, please ask ... There Is no such thing as a dumb question!

Regards

Woody
 

tedw

Settler
Sep 3, 2003
513
3
67
Cambridgeshire, UK
Does anybody want a British military balaclava (not the headover)? I was issued it about 1985 but have never worn it as I found it too itchy for my baby-soft skin. Could be wool, could be something else. Anyway, whoever sends me an A4 SAE can have it - PM me for address details and in case there's more than one taker, in which case the first PM gets it.

Also, I e-mailed a couple of questions to Woody; see below to save him the trouble:

Q. You said somewhere that we&#8217;d be able to drop off travelling clothes etc. for secure storage that we won&#8217;t need on the expedition. Does this mean we&#8217;ll have somewhere to get changed before we set out on the expedition proper, or should we be fully dressed for the bush when we get picked up?
A. There will be a basic facility (fire house) for every one to change on arrival, a small amount of travel clothing can be left in the farm but storage is minimal so we will have to restrict it to this.

Q. The kit list includes trainers for huts/tents &#8211; we don&#8217;t plan to use these so can the trainers be left behind too?
A. Although we will not be using tents/ huts you will need something to put on your feet when administering yourself in your shelters, so these will need to be taken.

Q. Do we need our own maps and compasses &#8211; if so, what map would you recommend?
A. Maps, compass and GPS are not a requirement but if you do want to bring your own please feel free to do so.

Cheers all,

Ted W
 

Imagedude

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 24, 2011
2,004
46
Gwynedd
Finally getting around to the final selection of kit; I'm not taking all of this kit, this is the stuff that made the final cut.

Heavy insulation; Buffalo BAS Parka, Buffalo Shirt, RAB Hoodie, Softie, Norgie wooly pully.

DSC00633.JPG



Mid Layer; Woolpower 600 jacket, Paramo Shirt, Paramo Pullover, Mountain Equipment fleece,

DSC00634.JPG


Thermal Tops; 2 x Merino long sleeve shirts, Merino Hoodie, various synthetic tops

DSC00638.JPG


Trousers; Brenig pile/pertex salopettes, Paramo salopettes, Paramo trousers, Paramo windproofs, Abris insulated 'action slacks'.

DSC00635.JPG


Boots; Chippewa Arctic boots, Army boots, Ice climbing boots, Sorel boots are in the post.

DSC00636.JPG


Gloves and mitts
; Marmot Alpine gloves, ME softshell gloves, 2 x pair Buffalo mitts.

DSC00639.JPG


Sleeping Kit; 4 season PHD bag, 3 season PHD bag, Exped 7DLX, 3/4 length Karrimor mat, Army bivi.

DSC00642.JPG


Down Jacket; RAB smock

DSC00644.JPG


Waterproof top; Paramo Velez.

DSC00645.JPG


Socks; various thick and thin.

DSC00646.JPG


The Kitchen;
various stuff

DSC00648.JPG


Hardware
; bowsaw, knife, washkit etc

DSC00649.JPG


Eye protection; 2 pair glacier glasses, 2 pair goggles.

DSC00650.JPG


Headware; Buff Hood, mountain cap, balaclava

DSC00651.JPG


Mappage; maps, compass and cases

DSC00652.JPG


Spark resistant top
; arctic whites or navy blues

DSC00653.JPG


Sacks; Pod Xpod 80 litre, Lowe Specialist 74 litre, M.E. 80 litre, Pod Alpine 40 litre. Also available 100litre And 60 litre Aiguille Expedition sacks and 120 litre tote sacks.

DSC00654.JPG
 
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Chris the Cat

Full Member
Jan 29, 2008
2,850
14
Exmoor
That should do it mate!!
In a funny kind of way I have your dilema too but mine is a wool/ cotton outer collection!
(I see one wool sweater has made it! )
No worries about you feeling the cold!
Chris.
 

Imagedude

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 24, 2011
2,004
46
Gwynedd
How much travelling will we be doing? I'll be carrying a weeks worth of ski clothing as I'm going skiing for a week before the course.
And is it worth taking a water bottle?
 
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Chris the Cat

Full Member
Jan 29, 2008
2,850
14
Exmoor
The ski clothing you MAY be able to leave somewhere at the site ( if its where I think it is then you will ! ) just leaving you with your kit for the course.
If we are travelling to the lake and other spots, day pack with all our other kit left at the camp we make.
Take a flask for during the day and maybe a pilots flask in an insde pocket to stop it freezing, you will be needing that water mate!
Good work on the mitts by the way!
Chris.
 

Imagedude

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 24, 2011
2,004
46
Gwynedd
How's the packing going? I've got mine down to a 70 litre kit bag (for the first week skiing kit plus week 2's food), a 80 litre rucksack and 30 litres of hand luggage for week 2.

DSC00662.JPG
 

Teepee

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 15, 2010
4,115
5
Northamptonshire
Good work ID, I'm taking similar sized bags. Pics to follow.


Last nights cold temps were a good opp to test my new sleeping bag and downmat 9. It got down to -15 or colder in the early hours-my thermometer cut out at that and just said 'low'. I was just starting to feel some cold through the soles of my -20 baffins.

It highlighted an issue with the downmat; the pump was next to useless at those temps as the foam inside went limp, it took a good while to get it inflated. Anyone else had this? I'm thinking a stuff sack pump or balloon pump might be a good idea?
 

DUCky

Nomad
Aug 17, 2004
309
0
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Exped being a Swiss company, of course they have thought of it before. There is something called a Schnozzle, which is sort of like a tube connecting to your sleeping mat and to an Exped compression bag with a valve. I already have such a compression bag for my sleeping bag, so I will locate and bring a Schnozzle. Should anyone wish to use this 'pump' they are very welcome ;).
 

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