INTRODUCTION:
The Bushcraft UK, Arctic skills course is a 7 day (fully inclusive) Arctic bushcraft and survival course led by uk guides/instructors. The course is a "no frills" low cost opportunity for members of the Bushcraft UK community to experience top of the range instruction, 400km inside the Arctic Circle.
During the course students will be expected to participate in routine tasks around the camp such as firewood collection, cooking and general camp duties. Accommodation will be in heated tents and shelters (sleeping in shelters is optional).
COURSE DETAILS:
Course provider: Bushcraft Expeditions.
Minimum numbers: 16
Minimum age: 18 (17 if accompanied by an adult)
Date of Exped -
14th - 20th Feb 2010
RV time 15:30hr on the 14th in Bardufoss arrivals hall
Drop off for travel home 13:00hr on the 20th at BDU airport
Accommodation: Tents and shelters.
Cost: £420
7 day itinerary. Arriving day one/departing day seven.
Subjects covered:
1. Outfitting for the cold environment.
2. Dressing for the cold environment.
3. Daily routine and considerations for working in the cold environment.
4. Cold injuries their recognition, prevention and medical procedures in the cold environment.
5. Cutting tools in the cold environment, their selection safe use and maintenance.
6. Shelters. (Quincy, Arctic lean to, emergency shelters) snow holes and igloos - (conditions permitting) 7. Fire lighting and fire husbandry in the extreme cold.
8. Improvised Snow shoe construction and snow shoeing techniques.
9. Arctic Tracking and wild life observation.
10. Ice Fishing.
11. Ice crossing procedures.
12. Trapping in the Arctic.
13. Tent/camp routine in the extreme cold.
14. Signalling.
15. Water procurement, carriage and preparation for consumption in the Arctic.
16. Field cookery in the extreme cold.
Included in the price:
1. Full instruction in Arctic Bushcraft and Survival from UK/English speaking Guides.
2. All internal transfers from the designated meeting point.
3. Heated Tentage/accommodation. (Shared)
4. Camping fees (private land and National park)
5. Fully trained on site medical cover.
6. Full board. (3 meals a day plus hot drinks)
7. Bushcraft UK Arctic Course certificate.
8. Pre course UK briefing and kit/clothing demo.
Not included in the cost:
1. International flights/transport to designated meeting point.
2. Any food and drink outside the full board status (See above)
3. Any additional activities other than those stated.
4. Clothing and equipment hire.
Optional/additional activities and equipment hire available on site:
1. Extreme cold clothing hire.
2. Extreme cold footwear hire.
3. Extreme cold sleeping bag + liner hire.
4. Gortex Bivi bag hire.
5. Dog sledging.
6. Traditional Sauna facilities (minimum number apply/required).
7. Traditional outdoor hot tub facilities. (minimum number apply/required)
Here's a general kit list. The idea is that it won't cost a lot to get it together and may items you'll already have access to. There's going to be a clothing lecture given on the pre-expedition brief that will take place before the expedition, you'll be able to ask any questions there and bring along any kit that you're unsure of or want clarifying or assessed.
Clothing you will need to bring:
Wind/waterproof outer jacket. (ski wear is sufficient for this)
Wind/waterproof outer trousers or saloppettes. (ski wear is sufficient for this)
Warm outdoor/work trousers (2 pairs)
Warm outdoor shirts (2)
Fleece jacket
Large sweater
Cold weather hat preferably with ear protection
Cold weather mitts or gloves
Cold weather boots or walking type boots (large enough to be able to wear two pairs of thick socks with and not be tight /restrictive)
Thermal underwear (1 set)
Thick socks, preferably wool (3 pairs minimum)
Synthetic thin liner socks (2 pairs)
2nd lightweight wool hat or similar
Thin pair of work gloves
Scarf
Towel and swimming costume (for sauna if that is taken as an optional extra)
Slippers or trainers for indoors/tents
Handkerchiefs (2)
Long belt (Preferably leather)
Equipment you will need to bring:
Large (70ltr+) rucksack capable of carrying all your equipment
Sleeping bag (four seasons for use in temperatures down to -10)
Insulated sleeping mat
Bivouac (Bivvi) bag
Head torch and spare batteries
Mug, knife, fork and spoon
Billy can (preferable) or mess tins (for cooking over open fires)
Small pocket knife
Small steel thermos type flask (optional)
10 metres of strong nylon cord
Note book and pencil
Wash bag
Two candles (long life preferably)
Ski goggles or similar eye protection
Sun glasses
Personal medications/Items:
Lip salve
Sun block
Passport
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Cold weather clothing hire costs:
Rental of extreme cold weather boots - £5.00 per day.
Rental of extreme cold weather sleeping bag+Liner - £5.00 per day
Rental of snow suit - £4.00 per day
(All above on a 1st come basis)
The Airport you need to fly into is Bardufoss airport. You can book all the way via www.norwegian.no or go to most airports in Scandinavia via all the big operators and then connect up to Bardufoss with Norwegian (which is a budget airline).
Travel:
For those confirmed on coming on the BCUK Arctic Expedition it may be worth organising yourselves into travel groups now, that way you will have the ability to group book etc and coordinate things between yourselves. A suggestion would be the following groups (You will have to decide amongst yourselves who is going to instigate/organise these groups)
Group 1: Those flying to Oslo with Ryan on the Saturday, stopping in Oslo overnight and then flying onto Bardufoss on the Sunday (Returning the same route but with no overnight in Oslo) This is the suggested and probably the best travel option.
Group 2: Those doing the above but not stopping in Oslo overnight it might be a good idea if this group organise a charter bus/taxi/minibus to get them from one airport to the other in Oslo as there is only 3 hours between flights and it will give you piece of mind having some one meet/drop you off - this should not be necessary on the return flight as you have 6 hours between flights this is probably the cheapest flight option.
Group 3: Those getting the Norwegian flight up to Tromso and then the bus down to Bardufoss.
