Further Information Dog Sled Challenge
Lapland
The Husky Trail
This document has been compiled by our challenge leaders. Please do take into account your own
personal preferences and common sense! We welcome feedback on how this document can be improved
upon your return from your challenge.
Lapland is not a country in itself, but is in fact made up of regions in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
Lapland is traditionally the home of nomadic reindeer herders and of course Lapland's most famous resident -
Santa Claus!
Lapland among other Arctic areas has something unique and world known The Arctic Circle. In other words
a border, where north of it the sun does not set in mid summer and does not rise in mid winter. The Arctic
Circle is perpetually moving and its geographical position is not static, in fact it can move almost 2 metres in a
day and more than 100 metres per year.
During our challenge, the sun rises approximately 7-8am and sets about 5-6pm and you can expect clear blue
skies with the most amazing colours. Outside of these times it will be as night-time in the United Kingdom, with
the exception that as the area is covered in snow from November to May, there is a good level of reflection
making it possible to see where you are walking. There are many hills sheltering a rich fauna and flora. If you
are particularly lucky, you may see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) which appears in the sky as white,
red or green lights dancing through the atmosphere.
As you are in the Arctic Circle expect a challenging climate with snow and ice as far as the eye can see, which
lasts from November to May. Our challenge takes place in spring when the daytime temperature is just above
freezing and relatively pleasant. However, it can still be very cold at night and temperatures can drop to below
-20°C. It is essential that sleeping bags are graded to a minimum of -20. Due to the changing weather
patterns in the Arctic Circle, the itinerary (as published) may be subject to change to incorporate amendments
to the route due to excessive snow, etc.
GMT + 1 hour
The main source of food is fish, with meat, cheese and bread in plentiful supply. Breakfast consists of
porridge (full of energy to set you on your way), followed by a cold lunch and hot dinner (usually meat and
potatoes). The watchword here is high energy . Each tent (two mushers per tent) will be supplied with a Food
Box this will have all you need to make your own breakfast, lunch and dinners. The dinners are boil-in-the-
bag foods which are very tasty and nutritional. Camp stoves will be provided.
The celebratory meal in Tromso on Day 7 is not included Norway is a very expensive country so please
budget approximately £50 for food and drinks.
Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
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Further Information...
Lapland
The Husky Trail
Some of the sledding will be fairly demanding as we travel through mountains and hills, dismounting to help
push the sled when the gradient becomes too steep for the huskies to pull alone. Full training will be given on
how to steer and brake the sled.
It is essential that you work on your general fitness before the challenge. The fitter you are, the more you will
enjoy this challenge. Any form of endurance exercise would be good training. You should particularly work on
your cardio-vascular fitness and stamina levels. Global Adventure Challenges can offer training days and
weekends to help you prepare - please contact Jason Day at jason@globaladventurechallenges.com.
Expect a long, but extremely rewarding day at least 14 hours. You will participate in all aspects of the
challenge, including feeding, bedding and preparing the dogs, putting up and taking down tents, making hot
drinks and generally helping around camp. Your typical day begins at around 8.30am when you will prepare
the dogs (feeding, harnessing and clearing up after them) and your sled for the day. You will then depart for
the first leg of the day s sledding at about 10.30am. The day ends with you again feeding and preparing the
dogs for the evening, setting up camp and any other campsite duties as required.
Water in Norway is extremely clean and you can fill your drinking water bottles at camp every day from the
rivers and water holes you are camping next to. This is perfectly safe and no sterilisation tablets (or their
equivalent) are required. If desired, you can carry a hot drink (eg. tea/coffee) in your thermos flask during the
day.
Essential items are shown on the kit list. Snow-boots will be provided by the Villmarkssenter for sledding
and are worn throughout the day. Participants may wish to take extra shoes to change into, although
these are not necessary.
Nightwear due to the very cold temperatures, participants usually wear their thermal clothes rather than
normal nightwear. Tracksuit bottoms may be useful to sleep in for extra comfort.
As purchasing some of the kit mentioned on the kit list can prove to be expensive, the following kit will be
provided to you on arrival and is included in the cost of your challenge:
Parka
Trousers NB: This section applies to 2012
Snow-boots
Hat (windproof) departures ONLY for equipment
Gloves (mittens x1 pair) information for 2011 challenges,
Sleeping bag
Double sleeping pad please contact us 01244 676454
Neck-gaiter
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Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
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Further Information...
Lapland
The Husky Trail
Whilst we are sledding, your main piece of luggage with any items that you don t need on trail will stay at the
Dog Sled Centre and be transferred to our Hotel in Tromso, ready for when you return from your challenge.
All other items and baggage will go in your sled.
Leave valuables at home if possible. One main important rule if you don t need it, don t bring it! It is advised
that you take anything of value (passport, money, etc) on trail with you in your sled remember to wrap them
in plastic bags/bin liners though to stop them from getting wet!
It is highly recommended you consult your Doctor about what immunisations are required for Norway
The vaccinations below are given as a guideline only always consult your own Doctor:
Immunisations Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain
including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for
health care workers).
Vaccines sometimes advised tick-borne encephalitis.
You must discuss your own particular needs and contra-indications to vaccines or tablets with your
doctor or practice nurse.
In the event of severe injury, you would be transported by sled to the next available reception area where a
phone call would be made for medical assistance.
There will be an advanced First Aid Kit carried with the group at all times, along with Satellite Telephone.
All Global Adventure Challenges leaders are 16 hour Outdoor First Aid qualified.
As well as the Global Adventure Challenges leader, there will also be at least one local English speaking guide
in attendance throughout the trip. The ratio of guides to participants is 1:5 ensuring everyone is well looked
after.
Our first night will be spent at the Dog Sled Centre in a traditional lavvo (a large static tent) with a roaring fire in
the middle to keep us warm. Reindeer skins will be used as matting for extra comfort, in addition to our own
sleeping mats. Whilst on trail, we will be camping with two people per tent. Upon return to Tromso after the
challenge, we ll stay in a comfortable hotel, twin-share, with en-suite washing facilities the hotel is right in the
middle of the city centre and also just a stone s throw away from the bar where we hold our celebratory dinner!
Obviously, there is no electricity available on this challenge until we get to our hotel AFTER the expedition.
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Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
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Further Information...
Lapland
The Husky Trail
There is only ONE shower available at the Dog Sled Centre and none during the trip.
There are no toilet facilities on the expedition itself. Participants are issued with their own roll of toilet paper
(which must be burnt properly after use) and the nearest tree. Remember this is a CHALLENGE!
Hygiene is very important to avoid stomach upsets wash hands wherever possible, especially before eating.
If washing facilities aren t available use antibacterial hand gel or wipes.
Use high factor sunscreen!
Global Positioning Systems are used by the ground operator so that current location is known at all times and
Satellite Telephone is also carried throughout the duration of the challenge.
British passport holders do not require a Visa.
Currency used is the Norwegian Kroner (NOK) and this is readily available from your local high street. The
current exchange rate is 9 NOK to £1GBP. You can use Norwegian Kroner at The Ice Hotel and in Sweden so
there is no need to take 2 different sets of currency. There will be NOT be an opportunity to visit a bank until
we are back in Tromso AFTER the expedition, so please ensure you take all necessary currency with you.
Norway is a very expensive country so please budget approximately £50 for your food and drinks at the
celebratory meal.
We suggest taking approximately £150-£200 spending money but this depends on how many presents you
wish to bring home and how many beers you may have at the celebratory meal (see below)!
Norway is a very expensive country, for example the average cost of a pint of lager is 75NOK (£8)!
Every participant must be covered for the activities throughout the itinerary. A comprehensive travel insurance
policy is available through Global Adventure Challenges at a cost of £31.70. A travel insurance application
form will be sent to you approximately 14-16 weeks before departure. If you are opting to use your own
personal travel insurance then details of your policy should be sent to Global Adventure Challenges.
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Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
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Further Information...
Lapland
The Husky Trail
There is no departure tax due on leaving Norway.
Tipping your guides is appropriate, customary and always appreciated. Your guides work in teams and evenly
split all gratuities they receive. Your gratuity should reflect the quality of service you received and anything
special your guides did to enhance your trip it also depends on your budget, and what you feel is
appropriate. Ask your Global Adventure Challenges leader for guidelines.
At the end of the expedition you will visit the Ice Hotel (yes, it is a hotel made entirely out of ice!). There is a
small entrance fee of approximately £30.00 (as at April 2010) but is well worth the visit.
· To say hello to someone in Norway use hallo or hei
· Anything that you don t want to freeze overnight eg. spare batteries, contact lens solution - pop it in
your sleeping bag and have it as a sleeping partner!
· Don t treat your dogs as pets, they re working dogs and only respond to specific commands given by
the dog sled leaders they are however, very friendly and you will develop a special bond as the week
progresses!
Mobile phone signals are available in Tromso and you will be able to get some reception at the beginning and
end of the challenge, but whilst on trail signal is non-existent. Please don t rely on being able to use your
mobile phone.
If you would like to stay in Norway after the challenge we can arrange an extension for you. Please submit
your request for an extension with the relevant dates by email to enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com
as soon as possible. There is a £60 + VAT charge for having your return airline ticket extended. Please note
all extensions are strictly limited, subject to availability, given on a first come first served basis , and the final
decision always rests with the airline. Your request will be placed on a list in order of receipt and we will
contact you approximately four months before the date of travel to confirm whether the extension is possible.
In our overseas destinations we work with small local ground handlers that employ local guides, using as
much infrastructure as we can locally, to boost economy and income. We aim to ensure that all local guides
involved with our events are given a fair wage in accordance with appropriate local standards and each of our
challenges is designed using the knowledge of local people. We need to preserve and respect the locations in
which our challenges take place in order for future generations to experience the fantastic times and views we
also are going to experience. We want you to have the best experience from this challenge. More information
regarding our Responsible Tourism policy can be found on our website.
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Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
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Further Information...
Lapland
The Husky Trail
· Full country name: Kingdom of Norway
· Area: 385,252 sq km
· Population: 4.9 million
· Capital City: Oslo
· Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NOK)
· People: 97% Nordic, Alpine and Baltic, with a Sami minority
· Language: Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmal, Northern Sami
· Religion: Christian (86.3% Evangelical Lutheran)
· Government: Constitutional Monarchy
· Major Industries: Oil, natural gas, computers, high technology, fishing, fish farming, forestry,
shipping, shipbuilding, paper production
· Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. UK, Germany & Sweden)
· Climate/Temperature: In spring the weather is mild and in the summer, there is the amazing midnight
sun. Winter of course is much colder with plenty of snow.
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Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4 8BU
Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com