EDUCATION
THROUGH
ADVENTURE
Arctic Expedition,
norway
10th-17th March 2025
£2,500
Early Spring is the perfect time to experience the Arctic tundra. The sun is shining, the snow is thick and the lakes are frozen. This trip combines both expedition skills and wilderness medicine skills side-by-side. Instead of sitting in a classroom learning about cold shock and hypothermia you'll be immersed in this incredible environment, even going for a polar plunge yourself!
Together we explore the vast frozen North, deep inside the Arctic Circle we journey where few others go, over frozen lakes and jagged coastlines. Nestled next to the Russian border, this impressive and beautiful landscape is the last frontier before the Polar ice shelf.
We’ll take you to our remote wilderness lodge deep in the mountains, where our training team guide you through the wilderness skills vital to your survival. Learn to light fires at -30c, make snow shelters and navigate this epic wilderness. You’ll drive Snowmachine’s down to the Pasvik river (the border between Norway and Russia), walk on snowshoes through the last swathes of Russian tundra and ice fish for Char and Trout.
Working in an area used by polar explorers to train for the most difficult conditions; this trip is truly remarkable! As we dig down a fire pit and some snow seats, cross your fingers for The Northern Lights or ‘Aurora Borealis’ to come out and play (they usually do).
7
days
a captivating and remote untouched wilderness
Difficulty Hard: This is one of the more difficult trips we run due to the cold, however it does make a great entry into the world of expedition and survival skills. With all but one of your meals prepared you’ll have a little more time to practice the things you’ve learned, relax and explore this amazing wilderness. On completion you'll receive an Advanced Expedition Medicine Certificate.
See here for information on who can apply to join the expedition, if it's suitable for medical elective students and whether it's valid for CDP.
Take a look at the Polar Kit List here.
Topics covered:
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Snowmobile Driving and Safety
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Polar Navigation Practice
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Radio Communication
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Cold Shock and Hypothermia
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Snow blindness
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Frost Bite
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Soft Tissue Injuries
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Major Trauma Scenarios
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Polar Bear Safety and Perimeter Fencing
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Expedition Medical Preparation and Planning
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Hydration and Hygiene
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Medical Kit and Supplies
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Teamwork and Leadership
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Ice Fishing
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And much, much more...
What's Included
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners including the finest fresh seafood and a celebratory meal at the end.
When not sleeping under the stars we'll be in canvas walled tents with wood-burning stoves. Our wilderness cabin also has a sauna and fire pit.
Experienced wilderness guides, UK registered doctor, snowmobile travel and transfers included.
And of course there's all the fantastic learning you'd expect from a world class expedition.
Example Itinerary
* will be tailored based on the skills and experience of the cohort. International flights not included. Take a full look at our kit list here.
Day 1 - We’ll meet you at Kirkenes Thon hotel where we’ll dish out snow shoes and kit and begin our journey. Time for a hearty meal, warm showers and a briefing on what we have in store.
Day 2 - We travel onwards to wilderness cabin deep in the forest on the shores of a frozen lake. With no driveable road access at this time of year this will be your first practice at the art of snow shoeing (it’s not as easy as it looks). On arrival we’ll get comfy in our broad-sided tents, light the wood burning stoves and sit down to some tutorials on campcraft. On the first night we share a traditional meal of reindeer stew (vegan/vegi option available) and prepare for the week ahead.
Day 3 - From our basecamp we have 5 days to learn the skills necessary for polar survival whilst treating casualties in this harsh environment. We start our winter skills training with fire lighting, shelter building and camp craft before cutting a hole through the ice for our tutorial on cold water immersion and hypothermia. Are you brave enough to go for a dip?
Day 4 – Arctic Travel - Today we strap on our snowshoes and trek along the old partisan trail. By lunch time we’re quite comfortable with this method of travel and gather together to learn about snow shelters, tents and winter hammocks. Later we’ll overnight in the forest for stargazing and ice-fishing (with a little luck) under the Northern Lights.
Day 5 – Arctic Travel - Snowmachine trip – learn how to handle a snowmachine as we journey along the Russian border, through amazing forest, across frozen lakes and rivers.
Day 6 – Arctic Travel - We’re on the return leg of our journey and somehow we always come across interesting casualties along the way. Everyone will have a go at leading an emergency scenario before we make it out of the mountains and back to our cabin. There's just enough light left to dig your snow shelter where you will have the chance to spend the night after a hot meal and a sauna.
Day 7 - A morning of relaxation back at the ranch we practice all the skills we’ve learnt throughout the week. Early afternoon we re-group and snowshoe out to the snowmobiles and drive back to civilisation. On the route back to town we stop off at Lanabukt, a remote fishing village famous for its King Crab. In the evening we treat ourselves to an amazing celebration dinner at a local restaurant in town and reminisce about the adventure we've just shared.
Day 8 - Breakfast is served in your hotel and you're free to catch your returning flights. N.B. from our experience most people opt to spend another night to experience the famous Snow Hotel, Ice Bar or Husky Sledding. We’ll happily arrange free transfer if that suits you.
For more information and photos check out Jack's independent review at The Adventure Medic Magazine independent course review here.
Meet our Course Director - Dr James Facer-Childs
Dr James Facer-Childs is an emergency care doctor with extensive expedition and polar experience. Having undergone arctic training in Sweden, Norway and Iceland, James has been the doctor on two prolonged expeditions across Antarctica. Understanding the types of risks and injuries faced in the wilderness, how to assess and manage when resources are limited, and planning and decision making under stress, are all integral to delivering medical care in Polar regions.
James will teach skills, impart knowledge and discuss equipment needed to be an effective medic and team player on Polar expeditions.
