Testing BC skis, boots and Rucksack

During the recent snows Fran was able to test some exped equipment in the High Peak area of Derbyshire.

The gear checked out well, especially the Osprey Variant37 rucksack: Light, comfortable and easy to use.

One reason for our trip…

if its bad for you, its good in the Arctic!

 We are now starting to finalise our food. Dinners coming from one of our supporters: The Scout Store. And our day ration packs containing some of the above goodies.

Join us on Facebook or Twitter

You can now join us on Facebook or Twitter and receive all the latest news from the build up to the expedition and the updates from icecap in spring. Help support our expedition by telling all your friends about our expedition.

Testing our new kites.

Rare, but ideal snowkiting conditions in Hinckley, UK meant Fran could test the new 13m Frenzy light wind kite. And the 4m access storm kite.

The frenzy was very impressive, giving plenty of pull in light winds

The kite rig incorporates a de-power system, enabling us to regulate the pull of the kite. And two safety release systems.

2010 - The hard yards!

2010 has officially arrived and the reality of our Greenland expedition grows ever bigger!

It costs approx 30.000 Sfr.- / £15.000 to launch an expedition of this size and this doesn’t include the hours spent emailing, calling, meeeting potential supporters and of course training. Training has been stepped up a level with the approach of the expedition and the boys are spending their time swimming, running, ski touring, kiting and much more.

We are constantly seeking support and a main sponsor, so please tell your friends, family or even your boss about our expedition. Remember you can donate online, buy a t shirt or even receive a postcard from the icecap. Proceeds will go to St Francis Hospice in England and to the expedition costs.  Thanks for supporting NorthStar2010.

43.5 square metres of fun!

The rest of the power kites have arrived from Fly Ozone and currently Mustards house has enough kites to make up 43.5 square metres of flying power! Scary. Lucky for us we won’t be flying them all at once otherwise it might be a quick flight to Qaanaaq. In the box of goodies are our 4 metre Access kites for those super windy days and our 13 m Frenzy kits for when there are only light winds. Scary thing is I used to jump out of planes with a parachute smaller than my Frenzy kite. Many thanks to Ozone for supporting our expedition and we look forward to hauling ass across Greenland with your kites!

Back from the heat and into the cold

Mustard returned home this week from his climbing trip in SE Asia and straight back onto his skis. Currently the alps are absolutely baltic and Mustards home town has been around minus 20 at the worse times these last days. Perfect conditions to get out and train for the upcoming expedition. Although it actually feels colder now than the last time in Greenland.

Flight from Iceland to Kulusuk confirmed

Getting close now, with flight confirmations coming in!

Cant wait!!

2nd iceburg on the left please driver.

NorthSTAR on BBC radio

This Saturday 21st November at 13:20 Fran will be interviewed live on BBC radio Cov and Warks about the expedition as part of their sporting feature “the Relay”. We’ll be chatting about the trip and the good cause we’re supporting for about 10mins. Then I hand the relay baton on to another sportsperson for the next week. Hope you can all listen in. The station is available on-line. And has a listen again feature, if you miss it.

Kandersteg International Scout Centre

Big thanks to Mark and Kandersteg International Scout Centre for supporting our expedition. Ali Rainback worked at Kandersteg many years ago and we are pleased that Kandersteg will help support Ali’s fund. Mustard will be doing a couple of  presentations about the expedition next summer at the scout centre which is open for all.