Defence Online

Ice Maidens prepare for Antarctica

Land December 8, 2016

An all-female team of regular and reserve soldiers are currently training to prepare them for an expedition to Antarctica next year.

Exercise Ice Maiden has seen the team undertaking training in Norway this October, which has exposed them to the harsh environment they will face next year when the team will attempt to walk across the Antarctic landmass, some 1,700km, in temperatures expected to reach -80˚C with wind speeds reaching over 60mph.

Following the gruelling training exercise from home – which has seen the team dragging tractor tyres- training in Norway has involved digging snow holes, putting up tents and pulling sledges with their bodyweight in supplies whilst skiing, all in temperatures reaching -20˚C. The team has also learnt how to pull themselves out of arctic water and practiced crevasse rescuing skills.

The training exercises have created a strong cohesive team, who are raring to go for the final challenge. The team members will fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, in October 2017 and will follow a route across the Antarctic land mass from Leverett Glacier to the South Pole to Hercules Inlet, a journey which will take until February 2018.

https://youtu.be/KT7VBQxRTMM

Images © Crown Copyright: Private Rin Cobb (Reservist) rescues fellow reserve officer Major Sandy Hennis during crevasse training

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Antarctica British Army Exercise Ice maiden Norway

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.