Snow, snow and more snow

Posted by Mertz via text.

Two amazing days. It's -39C and so I am verycoldclaire, and shall be for a while, although last night we got the sauna going and that was a wonderful contrast.
I have an incredible team of dogs and wonderful team of humans to work with. Rune my lead dog is a real character and wants a hug every time we stop, Uno is on wheel and never wants to stop, he is in love with his wheel mate, Sara, who he keeps clean. Rune and his brother, Refat, throw themselves on their backs whenever we stop.
It is a challenge there's no doubt about it, but I am having the best time. This is not a first and last for me.

Greetings from Kiruna

A quick post to say that we are here safe and sound. We are about to fall into our bunks and will be lulled to sleep by the baying huskies outside our window. I've really lucked out with this team, great bunch of people, and our team leader is a star. She has just set off for a quick moonlit drive before turning in and I am slowly turning green with envy.
We are staying at the 'Musher's lodge' tonight and it is compatative luxury - we even get food cooked for us and don't have to wash up. In the morning we will be allocated our dogs and as we met most of them this evening I will be happy with whoever I get, they are all beautiful and full of spirit.
The route has been changed to give us an easy day tomorrow and a hard last day. A great decision. We need to be broken in gently after a couple of Aquavit and Jaegermeisters to steady the nerves and break the ice (metaphorically) this evening.
It feels as if we've fitted a lot in already today as we've had so much information to take in. Our local guide, Milos, has been very patient, as has Gaynor, with all our questions and I hope we are prepared. Only time will tell...


- Posted from my iPhone

And we're off!!

Met up with the team at 4.45 and we are through security without too many dramas. Gaynor is in charge and there are only 9 of us as poor Pru has dropped out due to a hip injury. Very excited!


- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Heathrow

Brilliant card from Nom

Thank you all for your good wishes and support - especially this brilliant card! I do hope the reality does not include such pee stops...

Missing head torch!

I've been going through my check list and got the spare batteries for the head torch, but now I can't find it - this is a disaster! I had it the other day when I walked over the bridge to the pub....
Almost everything else is there, just some final sorting of clothes, which I am wearing as it is very cold here today. This is the non-clothing section, pre packaging removal:

There's a little extra in there, the Lovely Sarah came for supper and brought me a pack of mini Green and Black chocolate bars, I hope none of my team mates read this, or they could be gone on the first night! Also arnica lotion, tablets and massage balm, who cares if it's cool to knock homeopathy, my surgeon believes in arnica, and I believe in him.

The clothing section is getting there:

My old duvet boots should come in handy, as will my Fathers old balaclavas and neck warmers. I haven't put the hats out yet as they are also in use, and today star hairdresser Kayley gave me a hat-friendly cut - i.e. very short and spiky. I might spray this blue too.

More news from the front

I'm following Carolyn's blog avidly, and whilst it is not exactly encouraging, it does give me a chance to prepare for the worst - I'm really grateful to her for posting and am not sure that I'll be quite as active on that front when my time comes. 


They have had a number of problems, not helped by the team being "the most emotional team to have done the challenge", in the words of their leader. The heavy snow fall has meant that the going is tough and they are finding it hard to get to the lodges on time as a result. Last night they reached the Sami homestead, which I am really looking forward to, but got there too late and exhausted to make use of the sauna. There have been tears and tantrums, which I am sure must influence the dogs' behaviour, and one team member was threatened with being sent home for not eating, we have to take on at least 3500 calories a day to keep our strength up, so that could be a serious problem.


I hate to say it but I think that we can learn from their experience, so thanks Carolyn!


Today is my big preparation day and my to do list is long:


Charge camera batteries
Buy spare batteries for head-torch
Buy juice booster for iphone
Buy heavy duty moisturiser and deodorant (not sure my gentle eco-friendly Weleda stuff is up to the job)
Check weight of kit and remove all packaging
Put everything into zip-lock bags
Collect krone from Post Office
Get hair cut into manageable, under-hat shape
Find swimming costume for sauna
Send off sponsorship money collected this weekend
Run
Strength exercises


Also need to buy the following for the building project: loo, bidet, 3 sets of taps, 2 showers, 2 shower door units, wok burner, and check sizes of washing machines.


Better get on with it.

Not exactly encouraging...

I've just read a blog from a fellow nutter, who left last week to undertake the Arctic Challenge for the Dogs Trust. Can't say that she's filled me with joy...  falls, wrong turnings, losing the leader, frayed tempers, panic attacks and cooking burns so far, although they did see the aurora borealis last night, so I think she'll feel better in the morning. Eeek.