10 DAY ARCTIC SURVIVAL EXPEDITION

Description

Join Trueways Survival (open to 16+) on a journey into the very heart of Sweden, on our Arctic Survival Expedition. Based within the Arctic Circle, in to the heart of Sami culture, this winter wonderland provides us with every opportunity to learn the essential skills for travel in the northern forest. From the warmth of our comfortable accommodation we will travel out into the frozen landscape to spend nights under the dark, star filled skies and, with luck, sleep beneath the electrifying and profoundly beautiful glow of the Northern lights; an experience that will stay in your heart for a lifetime.

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to learn the fundamental survival skills of the Arctic, allowing you to experience this environment in the deepest way. Erecting and sleeping in a variety of shelters designed to be used in a range of situations, from emergencies to expeditions, you will learn to live in a place that initially seems foreboding. Temperatures can drop as low as -40°C , this is an environment to embrace. Learning these skills with good food, great company and the comfort of knowing that there is safety and hospitality at the heart of the camp, you can push your boundaries and experience this marvellous environment in all its awe inspiring beauty.
We will travel through forest, crossing rivers and lakes on snow shoes and snow mobiles, learning how to move through deep snow. We will fish through the ice and in turn learn to call this vast area ‘home’.

The Trueways Survival Arctic course, in keeping with our philosophy of real skills for real situations, seeks to deliver sensible and appropriate survival training for the extreme cold weather and environment settings. Situated well inside the Arctic circle, our course location is ideally situated to deliver upon our aim. There will be a home base of cabins for use during the theoretical lessons and then its into the frozen lands to put it into practice in scenario based training situations.

Course Syllabus

Course Format - 10 Days and 9 Nights.

Day 1
Collect from Lulea Airport transport to the training area. Safety Brief. Arctic Circle Crossing. XC Skis Fitting and Kit Check. Issue Students with all required equipment. Evening Meal. Lecture and Slide Show on Northern Lights (and viewing if available). Sleep in Cabin.

Day 2
Dressing for the cold. Introduction to XC Skiing. Priorities of Survival. Cold weather injuries. Identifying Resources. Authentic Sauna. Evening Meal. Sleep in Cabin.

Day 3
Introduction to Ice (Hazards & Safety). Snowmobile Tour. Cold Weather fire lighting. Open fire cooking. Water Gathering. Packing Pulks. Prepare Ice Fishing Lines. Sleep Outside but near cabins. Equipment confidence test.

Day 4
Construct Ptarmigan snares. Pack Kit & Ski out to training area. Set Up Camp. Introduction to Tracking. Heated tent Routines. Set Fishing Lines. Evening Meal. Sleep in Heated Tent (Sami Kata).

Day 5
Check fishing lines. Snow Pack. Interpretation and Assessment. Survival Equipment Selection. Shelter Principles and Priorities. Construct Shelters. Fire Lighting. Check Fishing Lines. Celestial Navigation. Evening Meal.

Day 6
Issue Cold Weather Ration Packs. Check Ptarmigan Snares and Fishing Lines. Advanced XC Ski Technique (Including Sami Skiing technique). Signaling Techniques. Casualty Simulation Scenario. Emergency Snow Shoe Construction. Shelter Construction. Evening Meal. Check Snares and Fishing Lines. Sleep in Individual Shelters.

Day 7 + 8
Having slept out individually in your own shelters, by this stage of the course students should have a firm grasp of the necessities of Survival in this extreme environment. From here on in, the course becomes even more challenging as we run a realistic, intensive, 2 day survival scenario. Students will have to continue to survive and surmount the increasing number of challenges that await them as they escape the wilderness and try to negotiate their way 'back to safety'... Naturally the 'element of surprise' forms a big part of this scenario so no further details will be provided in advance...

Day 9
Survival Scenario ends. Dog Sled Tour inc Lunch (You will drive your own dog sled). Snow Shoeing Tour. Return to Cabin. Issue Certificates. End of Course Party.

Day 10
Breakfast. Pack Equipment. Leave Training Area and Travel to Lulea Airport.

Equipment List

Equipment You Will Be Required To Bring:
Wool socks.
Winter Mountaineering Boots with Gaiters (preferably Yeti Gaiters).
Base layers (preferably Merino wool, all good quality base layers will be acceptable, No Cotton).
Thermal layers fleeces and fibrefill jackets and jumpers (Down jackets may be taken in addition but not as a substitute).
Shell layers (Goretex jacket and trousers for mountaineering are best, Salopetes are ideal, Skiwear is acceptable).
Gloves inner thermal.
Gloves outer warm.
Gloves shell waterproof mittens.
Wooly hat.
Balaclava.
Spare Gloves.
Cooking Pot with lid.
Thermos flask 1.5L minimum (unbreakable metal).
Knife, Fork & Spoon.
Survival Knife (Fixed Blade) - Contact us for advice if needed. Daypack minumim 45L capacity.
Paracord (550 cord) 50m minimum.
Foil Blanket.
Cottonwool (tampons, super heavy).
Flint and Steel.
Lighter (Disposable).
Windproof waterproof matches.
Wire saw or Laplander saw.

Skills For Life

Survival in an Arctic environment is a challenge. To be in some of the harshest weather in the world and operate in relative comfort takes inner strength, knowledge, skills and the right equipment - in that order. If you can provide the strength and some of the kit, we'll help you develop the knowledge and skills which you will keep for life.

Our courses are based on a tried and tested methodology which has been refined over many years of real life, hands-on practical experience. Developing and applying skills where necessary through in-situ supervised practice and understanding the basic principles will ensure you are equipped for life, whatever you have in your pack. Places are limited to be sure to secure your place to ensure you have all the Arctic Survival Training and skills to survive in an extreme environment.

Important Information

What to Expect When You Book:
Once we receive your booking and payment, you will then receive a full information pack containing a comprehensive equipment list, specific details of the course location, links to and contact details for travel organisations which we believe can provide the most competitive pricing for flights, and last but not least, a specific, expert Arctic Instructor Contact within Trueways to answer any questions relating to the course which you may have, by phone or by email.

Safety First:
In accordance with UK Health and Safety Executive guidelines for Survival Courses in Sweden, a full risk assessment has been carried out for this course detailing emergency evacuation procedures and procedures for dealing with any nature of emergency, including liaison with local medical facilities. All activities are within easy reach of a heated and well equipped cabin and transport will remain near the group at all times. Instructors will carry communications equipment and are all current first aid trained with years of experience in cold climates.

Arctic Course Prerequisites:
Due to the nature of our Arctic courses, certain prerequisites must be met.
These are:
All necessary kit and equipment as detailed on the equipment list issued when booking.
Any necessary visas or documentation for authorised entry to Sweden during the dates of your course (EU residents do not require visas).
Relevant medical insurance valid for the dates of your course or an EHIC card entitling medical treatment in Sweden.
Winter sports travel insurance valid for the dates of your course.
A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining.
A reasonable level of fitness.

Environment & Location:
For our 2019 Arctic course we have chosen a secluded area in Northern Sweden. The location offers a mixture of Arctic forest, open snow pack and frozen lakes and rivers. The course will begin from a fully equipped training area before moving on to forest shelters and then to a variety of snow and ice shelters.

What's included and what's not:
Course costs cover training during your time in Sweden for your course dates. All food and accommodation in Sweden during your course is also included. Course costs do not include travel to and from any pre-course briefings nor travel to and from Sweden. The closest airport is Luleå connections are recommended from Stockholm.
Within Sweden, transfers to and from the airport from the course location on the start and end date of your course is included. Transport to and from the airport in your country of origin is not included.