One of the main reasons for putting together such a team is to show that women can do exactly the same things as men.
We've been very lucky in this respect, as many companies have been willing to sponsor us.
Clearly, you need to be physically prepared for such a trip, as the Arctic puts a lot of demands on the body.
. We need to pull heavy loads and have to be good skiers too. As a rower, I'm used to working in a team, which is another important aspect of the expedition. In such extreme conditions team work guards your life.
We need to be fit to be able to stand up to the severe polar environment.
. First of all, there are the freezing temperatures. When we're there, it'll be around minus forty degrees Celsius most of the time. But it's not just the cold. Storms and blizzards with fierce winds are not uncommon. We also have to remember that the Arctic is not a landmass. The ocean below is constantly moving and can cause the ice to break up.
The Arctic cold is extreme. When pulling heavy loads, you might start to sweat. And if you think this is going to happen, it's important you undo your snowsuit a bit as soon as possible to let some air in, because if you sweat, it might freeze.
. There's the risk of frostbite, particularly on your fingers and toes, not to mention hypothermia. This is when your body temperature falls below a safe level.
It's vital that we take the right supplies with us. Due to the weather conditions and all the physical effort, we'll be burning up a lot of calories so we need to make sure we have enough of the right kind of food.
We get over this by dehydrating it. Then we just add water, which we get from ice, when we need to prepare it. We'll be eating high-fat foods like pork, chocolate and cheese. Normally, such a diet might seem unhealthy, but the Arctic's a special case.
Going to the North pole is extremely dangerous. Consequently, it's crucial that we are in contact with the outside world all the time in case a problem arises.
. One call and we can be airlifted out. Nevertheless, don't think for one minute that such technology gives you an advantage over the Arctic. It is vital to respect Mother Nature at all times. If you don't, it may show you its dark side in a matter of seconds.
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