FAQ's
LEVELS AND TRAINING
The Challenges are designed to vary in difficulty from Level 1 to Level 5. Level 1 ranges from needing a basic level of fitness, and minimal experience, up to Level 5 which requires a very high level of fitness, stamina and experience in extreme conditions.
Generally, we state that for Challenges Level 1 and 2, expect steady ski-touring or walking over undulating terrain for several hours, with a light backpack or pulk in cold temperatures. The expeditions will include at least one night of camping in the wilderness, eating expedition rations and experiencing conditions well below freezing. Participants should have a basic level of fitness and be able to conduct moderate outdoor activities in a cold-weather environment for several consecutive days. Minimal experience is required as all of the specialist skills will be taught and practised during the Challenge.
For Level 3,- 4 you should expect multi-day remote field expeditions carrying or dragging medium load backpacks of pulks over challenging terrain in cold-weather environments. A good level of fitness is required – you will be on the move for up to eight hours a day, camping in the elements most nights and eating expedition rations. You will need a reasonable level of experience of ski-touring and cold-weather camping, or will need to have attended a Shackleton Level 1 or 2 Challenge before.
Level 5 is a very strenuous expedition, which may include up to 10 hour days hauling heavy loads over challenging terrain in extreme conditions with remote field camps. A very high level of fitness, stamina, personal discipline and mental resilience is required. Participants should be exercising regularly with long endurance sessions and able to carry a heavy pack over mountainous terrain for multiple consecutive days. Previous cold-weather expedition experience of multi day trips with travel on skis and camping on snow/ice in a polar environment. A previous Shackleton Tier 4 trip is essential.
For our Level 1 and 2 Challenges, minimal experience is required as all of the specialist skills will be taught and practised during the Challenge. For a Level 3-4 Challenge, you will need a reasonable level of experience of ski-touring and cold-weather camping, or having attended a Shackleton Level 1 or 2 Challenge before. For Level 5, you will require previous cold-weather expedition experience of multi day trips with travel on skis and camping on snow/ice in a polar environment. Ideally a previous Shackleton Tier 4 trip.
Shackleton Challenges have been developed to suit accomplished explorers and novices alike. For all, a basic level of fitness is required; for Challenges Level 1-2, you will need to be able to conduct moderate outdoor activities in a cold-weather environment for several consecutive days. For Levels 3-4, a good level of fitness is required – you will be on the move for up to eight hours a day, camping in the elements most nights and eating expedition rations. For Level 5, a very high level of fitness, stamina, personal discipline and mental resilience is required.
After confirming your place on a Challenge, you will be provided with a bespoke training plan by our Expedition Team that takes into account your current level of fitness and the Challenge you are undertaking.
Each Challenge has suitability guidelines, however if you’re unsure please do feel free to email us at challenges@shackleton.com and we will schedule a call with our Expedition Manager, Wendy Searle who will help you decide.
The Shackleton guiding staff have decades of experience in working in extreme cold-weather environments with groups of varying capabilities. Your safety and well-being will be their top priority – if you need to rest, stop or return to the hotel in the event of an emergency, they will be on hand to make the best call given the situation.
Shackleton Challenges have been developed to suit accomplished explorers and novices alike. Each Challenge varies in difficulty, from Level 1 to Level 5.
Guests with unstable medical/health issues may not be appropriate for this type of expedition and are advised to exercise appropriate caution. Children under 18 and pregnant women are not eligible to attend.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION
To secure your place on a Challenge, we require a 15% deposit to be paid. For the Antartic Peninsula Challenge, a portion of this ($1,500) is paid directly to Polar Latitude for the time spent on their expedition charter.
Reservations cancelled 180 days or more before departure are subject to a £500/pp cancellation fee. If you cancel within 180-30 days of departure, you are subject to a £1,000 cancellation fee and if you cancel within 30 days of departure, the cost of the Challenge is non-refundable.
In the event that an expedition is cancelled by Shackleton prior to commencement, guests will be offered preferential booking on alternative Challenges of similar itinerary based on availability. Should re-booking not be possible, Shackleton will provide a full refund of funds paid to Shackleton. Please note that Shackleton will not be responsible for travel arrangements or other expenses outside the cost of the Challenge.
All passengers must carry a Travel Insurance Plan. This plan must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, and pre-existing medical conditions. Additionally, participants are strongly advised to carry a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Plan which should also include coverage for cancellation, curtailment, trip interruption, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to or otherwise involving a guest.
We are happy to offer a 5% discount on the second person’s booking.
Prices are dependent on the cabin you choose to stay in while on the expedition charter.
LEADERS
On the Finse Polar Skills and Finse Expedition Challenges, there is one guide to three clients and there will be a guide sleeping in the tent with you. On the Antarctic Peninsula Challenge the group size will never exceed 10 people to ensure that the guide-to-guest ratio never goes beyond 5:1. This allows participants to get great exposure to the guides and make the most of the training.
All Challenges are conducted in English as the principal language.
Yes, all Shackleton guides are first-aid trained and will be carrying first aid kits.
All participants are subject to instructions or regulations given by the Expedition Team.
SAFETY & MEDICAL
Yes, all Shackleton guides are first-aid trained and will be carrying first aid kits.
There is always a risk of avalanches in mountainous terrain, but our route selection will avoid any high-risk areas. As a precaution we will be carrying avalanche rescue equipment.
The Shackleton guides are all fully trained and equipped for emergency situations.
There are three tiers of emergency. Stage 1 is to treat the issue on expedition. Stage two is for a guide to return the guest to the hotel or main camp. Stage three is to call on the local emergency services.
Generally speaking there is phone signal unless otherwise stated. The guides will be carrying satellite phones for emergency use.
We require all participants to submit basic medical information prior to departure. Upon receipt of that basic medical information, significant disabilities or unstable medical conditions may necessitate additional documentation from a guest’s physician certifying fitness to travel and participate. If additional medical confirmation is requested, participation will not be allowed absent receipt of that confirmation.
NOTE: Please review our medical form at time of booking, and if there is any question regarding your eligibility contact us immediately. While we cannot dispense medical advice, we reserve the right to deny participation to anyone whose individual situation is deemed to be a safety risk, or who has not disclosed accurate information as to their physical or mental condition. In such a case Shackleton cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred. This includes non-refundable fees, airfares or any other miscellaneous expenses. If you have any questions, please contact us for further clarification.
FOOD
Your day will consist of two main meals at breakfast and supper. During the day you will 'graze' on a personal choice of energy rich foods. There are two main meals because these must be prepared in a tent.
Nutrition is an incredibly important part of the build up and Challenge so you will have detailed plans in place to ensure you are taking in enough energy to see you through the Challenge.
The Shackleton guides are all fully trained and equipped for emergency situations.
Yes. Dietary requirements will all be catered for and organised in the lead up to the trip.
KIT
When you book onto a Challenge, you will be sent a comprehensive kit list shortly after booking that is specific to your expedition. You will also receive a Shackleton Challenges Jacket, an expedition grade level jacket that has been widely tested by Louis Rudd which we recommend you use. Much of the other necessary equipment will be loaned by Shackleton, including boots, skis, pulks, and all camping equipment. For your personal kit, we will provide a discount for you to use at Shackleton and at selected partners. Louis Rudd will also check all your kit prior to departure to ensure it is the right standard for the harsh environment you will be entering.
Yes, as long as it fits the performance levels set by Louis Rudd.
CAMPING
You will sleep in a 4 person tent, with 1 guide per tent. You will be provided with expedition grade closed cell foam sleep mats, sleeping bags and liners to sleep in.
Generally speaking you'll get from 6-8 hours a night.
Training will be provided but generally speaking there will be snow latrines dug at campsites and on the move it's a case of digging a small hole in the snow and turning your back to the wind.
ACTIVITIES
All activities on land or water conducted during a Shackleton Challenge are permitted by local authorities and must comply with strict guidelines and regulations. As such, no one may conduct unauthorised activities during a Shackleton Challenge. The use of personal recreation equipment or technologies without clear prior consent is not allowed.
Shackleton reserves the right to use photographs and/or videos taken during the operation of the voyage for promotional purposes for the company and/or its sales agents. Guests who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to Shackleton prior to travel.
WEATHER
Temperatures will vary but the range will be from -5C to -30C
Shackleton guiding staff will assess the weather in the lead up to the Challenge and every day while on expedition. They will be able to alter the route or schedule to make the best of the conditions. If it is unsafe to go out, they will make the call to stay in the camp or hotel.
In Norway you may see arctic foxes and bird-life. On the Antarctic Peninsula there is a chance of seeing several species of whale, penguin, seal and bird-life.
No. Not until the Challenges in recce locations such as Svalbard become available where there is a risk from polar bears.
DON'T SEE YOUR QUESTION?
Our Expedition Team will be more than happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Send us an email at
challenges@shackleton.com and our team will be in touch.
