So, back in May 2018 I joyfully signed up for the #ArcticWishTrek2019 on behalf of the charity ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ (WYWUAS). It was billed as 70km of hiking within the Arctic Circle in Northern Finland, battling the elements, pulling your gear on a pulk (a kind of sled), and camping in freezing temperatures. Of course it sounded difficult, but given WYWUAS is such fantastic charity who do so such amazing things for children and their families, the challenge was worthy. Plus we had kit information nights and training treks with the outstandingly patient Lee from ‘Breaking Strain Events’ (BSE), so by the time we reached the Arctic we would be fully prepared up for all that lay ahead, right? No.
The next 8 months were consumed with either training or fundraising for the trek. There were walks, runs, cycles, race nights, bake sales, raffles, and of course the sensational Snow Ball with it’s incredible auction. How Jude – our leader, and also from WYWUAS – managed to organise that ball as well as all of us I’ll never know! But the success of it all is a huge testament to her relentless effort, without which none of this would have happened. Although all this was aimed at the trek, you can do as much physical training as you like, but there is very little you can do to prepare for the mental assault we would go under. The Arctic is a place that will best anyone’s mettle and resolve; simple tasks become mind boggling, minor physical exertion becomes a workout, the cold will brutally batter you into submission, but all whilst surrounded by incredible natural beauty and wonder which you cannot stop staring into.
However, we survived it, we found our resolve and made it to the ‘Finnish Line’.
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