This is not a course… it’s a Polar Expedition
March 9th to 17th 2024
£2995
If you’ve done all the expedition medicine courses, have a sense of adventure and are ready to take the next step in your expedition career then this trip for you.
Famous for its epic polar scenery, its indigenous Sami people and the unique arctic tundra. If we are lucky, we will encounter huge reindeer herds and see the spectacular northern lights.
Your expedition will be lead by Dr Paddy Mitton who has worked as a polar expedition medic in Antarctica for six seasons, a mountain guide for over 20 years and has been involved in multiple mountain and polar expeditions including to Norway and recently a 2000km snow-kite expedition across Greenland.
Taking everything we need for our 7-day journey you will take turns leading the expedition. Learn how to navigate, set up camp, plan and make the decisions that are all part of a successful expedition. To hone your medical skills there will be medical scenarios woven in during the expedition. Paddy and your Norwegian guide will help you develop the polar and medical skills you need to become an independent expedition medic in this exciting setting.
Polar Expedition Course outline
Depart London to Alta via Oslo
Dinner in Alta with course introductions.
Drive with late arrival to Engholm Husky Lodge in Karasjok ready to wake up in an arctic wilderness.
Breakfast in the lodge.
A full day of preparation including equipment, nutrition, navigation and medical kit ready to depart on expedition.
The expedition commences:
Set out across polar plateau lead by your nominated expedition leader for the day.
Overnight in self made camp.
Full days of expedition execution – skiing, navigation, camp set up and pack down, and possibly a medical situation to deal with.
A rough outline of your day will follow this routine:
Wake up, eat breakfast, melt snow, pack up camp, ski for 60-90 minute intervals, 5-10 minute breaks put on down overcoats and, depending on temperature may stop for a slightly longer lunch break, 6-8 hours of skiing in total not including stops, set up camp, melt snow, eat dinner, drink tea, sleep.
Ski from last camp to Jotka
Overnight in Cabin with sauna, hot showers and well earned Norwegian dinner
Breakfast in the cabin before our last 4km ski to the road.
Picked up at the road and driven to the airport in Alta
Option to fly to London via Tromso that evening or overnight in Alta (own expense) to organise any onward independent activities.
LOGISTICS
DATES
9 – 17 March 2024
COST
£2995
Guides
All food from arrival on Day 1 to lunch on day 9
Equipment – see kit list below
Flights
Travel and personal insurance.
Optional last night in Alta
Expedition sleeping bag (if needed you can rent one at £38 / week)
Personal kit: Please see required kit list below.
It is possible to rent some equipment if you do not have kit items.
Polar Expedition Kit List
Skis, Poles, Boots, Skins, Pulks, Harness, Tent, Stoves, Fuel, Cooking pans and cooking equipment, Navigational equipment, Shovels
Equipment Not Included
Passport
Credit card
Phone with charger and adapter
Small amount of cash
Print out of insurance document with emergency contact number
Ski shell jacket – windproof, waterproof, breathable
Ski shell trousers, vented, waterproof
Wooly hat
Balaclava
Fleece buff
Face guard (optional)
Ski Goggles
Sun Glasses cat 4
Synthetic or down jacket with hood
Synthetic or down Gillet (optional)
Fleece
Base layers (top and leggings) from merino wool or breathable, wicking material. X 2 sets
Warm insulated gloves (ideally also waterproof)
Waterproof overmittens
Silk inner gloves
Liner socks x 2 pairs
Outer wool or synthetic socks
Synthetic insulated booties for tent
Warm, waterproof winter boots
4 season sleeping mat
4 season sleeping bag (to -30 degrees)
Sleeping bag liner
Toilet paper
Hand get
Personal toiletries
Personal medical kit including blister kit
Personal snacks
Pen knife
Head Torch
Toilet paper
Matches and lighter
Sun and lip cream spf 50
Battery pack
Carabiners for hanging things up, alcohol, camera, drone, GPS, compass, Hand warmers.
Kindle / book
Music player with headphones
Pee bottle
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Endeavour courses deliver high-quality teaching in expedition and remote medicine. Teaching is led by experienced professionals in the field. It is immersive, holistic and flexible to help all attendees meet their personal development goals.
All courses are directly aligned to the Professional Capabilities set out by the UK Foundation Training, and postgraduate specialty training curricula. Specifically, all courses cover clinical assessment and prioritization, addresses complexity and uncertainty, communication skills, holistic planning, fitness for practice (wellbeing), ethical and legal principles, health promotion and illness prevention and leadership.
Endeavour course trainers are all familiar with principles of good supervision and training and can complete any work-based assessments undertaken during the course (including CEXs and CBDs). Reflective practice is also encouraged. Courses offer 30 hours (Expedition medicine and leadership) or 20 hours (Altitude medicine course) of CPD.
