Icequeen isinpole position forbrutal 800-mile trekinto theArctic
NELA JOINS TEAM AIMING FOR WORLD-FIRST Adventurous adopted Scot starts intensive training ahead of a major global mission to one of the most inaccessible places on the planet
operations for The Kiltwalk, was so inspired by one of the many children’s charities the organisation raise money for that she completed a fundraising challenge of her own in February – a 100km walk into the Arctic Circle in north Finland. It was here she re-discovered her childhood passion for freezing conditions. She said: “At points, I felt tired but then I just thought, ‘I’ve come out here to finish this, a lot of people are supporting me and donations are in. There’s nowhere else to go – I just need to finish.’ “I thought that would be the most difficult thing I’d ever do but when I heard about the expedition to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility, I had to take part.” During the mission with Arctic explorer Jim, the team of 100 ordinary ice warriors will have to cope with freezing conditions over treacherous terrain. Jim said: “This is the last world-first in polar expedition – no one has been to this part. “It’s one of the four north poles. There’s the Geographic North Pole, where the lines meet; the Geomagnetic North; the Magnetic North, where the compass points, and if you get to it, it points down; and then there’s the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility. “It’s 270-odd miles further than any journey to the North Pole, which is why it remains elusive to adventurers.
“You’re bearing Mother Nature’s worst; it’s something you have to endure. It’s about cunning and knowing how to use the right kit and do the right thing.
“Preparing the body is an intrinsic part of that.
“These guys will be pulling a Qajaq on skis. It’s a hybrid between a sledge and a canoe. You can paddle it and tow it along, and it becomes a survival pod.”
The ice warriors will be split into groups, each committed to a 20-day section of the expedition.
New people are flown in for each new leg – each of which is very different.
Jim explained: “It’s very cold and dark when we start and very bad terrain, so the first people have to be the most competent and the strongest.
“The second team get to the Magnetic Pole and the third leg will move into the break-up zone. “The fourth leg might be swimming. “This is the biggest and boldest endeavour I’ve ever done but it doesn’t daunt me what we have to do.”
Nela will take on at least one of the four 20-day legs and is hoping to raise £25,000 towards the adventure.
She said: “It won’t be easy but that’s part of the fun. I’m looking forward to pushing myself in the most extreme environment.” ● To donate, email nela@ice-warrior.com.