Finse Expedition Challenge (old)
FINSE EXPEDITION CHALLENGE
MISSION: TO HAUL A PULK 80KM OVER A 5-DAY EXPEDITION, CAMPING IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
"It is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown."
This level-3 challenge contains all the elements of a true polar expedition: 5 days of extreme cold weather, complete isolation, extended pulk-pulling, navigation, crevasse and safety drills, freeze-dried rations and camping out in snow and ice. The 80km route from Ustaoset to Finse weaves its way over arduous terrain and includes a crossing of Hardangerjokulen, one of the country’s largest glaciers - a remarkable landscape that bears a striking resemblance to Antarctica. Develop advanced expedition skills and self reliance, increase your resilience and strive towards your goal - the roaring fire and hospitality of the Finse 1222 hotel.
60°36.066’ N
07°30.250’ E
06
TEAM SIZE
DAYS
07
L3
LEVEL
ITINERARY
DAY 1
DAY 1
Upon arriving in Oslo, you’ll board the Oslo-to-Bergen snowtrain, famed as one of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe. You will disembark at Finse, the highest point on the line (1222m). You will be met by your guides Louis Rudd and Wendy Searle on the platform. In the evening, you’ll have a three-course dinner, followed by a fireside brief outlining the plan for the week and a weather update.
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
PROPOSED ROUTE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
CONDITIONS DEPENDANT
FINSE
FINSE EXPEDITION CHALLENGE
MISSION: to haul a pulk 80km over a 5 day expedition, camping in sub-zero temperatures
This level-3 challenge contains all the elements of a true polar expedition: 5 days of extreme cold weather, complete isolation, extended pulk-pulling, navigation, crevasse and safety drills, freeze-dried rations and camping out in snow and ice. The 80km route from Ustaoset to Finse weaves its way over arduous terrain and includes a crossing of Hardangerjokulen, one of the country’s largest glaciers - a remarkable landscape that bears a striking resemblance to Antarctica. Develop advanced expedition skills and self reliance, increase your resilience and strive towards your goal - the roaring fire and hospitality of the Finse 1222 hotel.
60°36.066’ N
07°30.250’ E
SC.L3.FIN.23
NORWAY
ROUTE
1 PLACE LEFT
£6,9955
12.03.23
—18.03.23
1 SPACE LEFT
£5,995
2022 ALMOST SOLD OUT
6 SPACES LEFT
£6,995
09.04.23
—15.04.23
1 PLACE LEFT
12.03.23
—18.03.23
£6,995
Hotel Finse 1222, which will be the base of your stay in Norway, is located at the highest point along the Bergen Railway. Accessible only by train, foot and bike, the hotel is the epitome of seclusion, with views to the west across Lake Finsevann and of the mighty Hardangerjøkulen glacier and Hallingskarvet National Park to the east.
Originally opened in 1909, the hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment which brings a touch of luxury to your stay without spoiling the historic grandeur.
Hotel Finse 1222, which will be the base of your stay in Norway, is located at the highest point along the Bergen Railway. Accessible only by train, foot and bike, the hotel is the epitome of seclusion, with views to the west across Lake Finsevann and of the mighty Hardangerjøkulen glacier and Hallingskarvet National Park to the east.
Originally opened in 1909, the hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment which brings a touch of luxury to your stay without spoiling the historic grandeur.
HOTEL
FINSE 1222
LOUIS RUDD MBE
DIRECTOR OF EXPEDITIONS
Louis Rudd MBE is a record-breaking polar adventurer, former Royal Marine Commando and SAS soldier. He is the first and only person to have traversed Antarctica twice using human power alone and has reached the South Pole three times from different coastal starting points. Louis has covered more than 3000 polar miles on skis, with multiple extreme cold-weather tours in Northern Norway with the special forces. He has guided expeditions on a 1100-mile crossing of Antarctica and a 350-mile crossing of Greenland. He is also a military Arctic warfare instructor, a military ski instructor, a qualified army patrol medic, and a military snowmobile instructor, with additional training in crevasse and avalanche rescue. A member of the Explorers Club and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Louis has written of his journeys to date in his autobiography ‘Endurance’.
WENDY SEARLE
EXPEDITION MANAGER
Wendy is a polar explorer with experience in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica. In 2020, Wendy became only the seventh woman in history to complete a solo, unsupported journey from Hercules Inlet to the geographic South Pole. She has also completed a full traverse of Greenland and trained extensively in Finse. In addition to her own trips, Wendy has extensive experience in planning and managing other major expeditions – she was the expedition manager for Louis’ record-breaking Spirit of Endurance Expedition in 2018. Wendy also has a wealth of knowledge about the history of polar exploration and scientific research at high latitudes.
LEADERS
We work with some of the very best polar guides, ensuring the highest possible safety, tuition and expertise on every expedition. Every Shackleton Challenge has at least two highly-qualified guides, led by Director of Expeditions Louis Rudd, and managed by Expedition Manager, Wendy Searle – between them they have accumulated thousands of miles on foot in polar regions. You will have several interactions with Wendy and Louis prior to departure, they will advise on pre-expedition training, kit recommendation and what to expect when on a Shackleton Challenge.
DEPART
120 days prior to departure you will be required to settle the remaining balance. One final kit check and your Shackleton Challenge starts here.
PREPARE
In the months leading up to your departure you will receive your kit list, training programme and detailed itinerary. You will also have scheduled catch ups with your Expedition Manager and Director of Expeditions, Louis Rudd to ensure you are ready for the Challenge.
CONFIRM
To confirm your booking, you will be required to pay a deposit of 15% of the cost of the Challenge
GET IN TOUCH
Fill out an enquiry form below and our Expedition Team will be in touch to organise a suitable time for an initial call. You will then be passed onto the Expedition Manager, Wendy Searle, once you have decided which challenge is the one for you or your team.
HOW TO BOOK
FAQS
We hope to answer any questions you might have on our frequently asked questions page, however if you cannot find something in particular, please do not hesitate to get in contact with our Expedition Team.
NOT INCLUDED
International flights to and from Oslo
Extra beverages and snacks in Finse 1222 Hotel
Personal clothing
Personal travel insurance
Personal medical kit
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INCLUDED
Personal Shackleton Challenges Jacket
Return train from Oslo to Finse
Two nights at Finse 1222 Hotel
All meals in the hotel and on expedition
Expedition safety, medical, communication and navigation equipment
Expedition sleeping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, liners and mats) during expedition
Expedition gear (boots, skis, poles, pulk, pulk harness)
Discount on Shackleton clothing and at selected partners
Tailored training plan
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FIND OUT
MORE ↓
Sign up to our Shackleton Challenges Newsletter.
CONTACT OUR EXPEDITION TEAM ->
DOWNLOAD THE PDF ↓
Submit your email to be sent a PDF on our Finse Expedition Challenge.
Book a call with our Expedition Manager, Wendy Searle by clicking the link in the bottom right hand corner.
