ITACE 2014 Antarctic training

 Testing Terra Nova's new Polar Storm tent

I've just run five days of Scottish based training for the Imperial Trans Antarctic Centenary Expedition which aims to make a complete crossing of the continent later in the year. They'll also be attempting a crossing of the Greenland icecap in May as part of their training. www.south2014.com

The week focused on the technical as well as the physical and mental skills required to operate safely in these enviroments.

We were joined by photographer John Pickles who took these stunning black and white images. More of his work can be seen on his website at www.johnpicklesphotography.com.

 Summit of Cairngorm

 Big loads and long days on the Cairngorm plateau

 A spot of snow holing to work on the personal admin

 Testing the expeditions Jottnar kit

Antarctic training...

  Jo & Stew working hard on the first climb

The ITACE 2014 team have just spent a week in the Lake District training, planning and developing their systems and skills. With less than a year to go until we depart for Antarctica physical training is becoming critical and we kicked off the week with a 19.5 hour hill walk. Our 42km route was loosely based on the start of the Bob Graham and led from Keswick up over Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable and Great Gable. From here we diverted to the Central Fells climbing Lingmell and Scafell pike via Corridor Route and a long descent in the snow via Esk Hause and Langstrath finishing at daybreak in Grange.
After a few hours sleep it was back to work finalising our plans, kit lists, food lists, partnership agreements and the hundred and one things that make up an expedition of this magnitude. Our ropework will be critical for a safe descent of the Beardmore Glacier and crevasse rescue was practiced from the top of Shepherds Crag making it feel very real.
Note: All the photos are screen grabs from video

 Stew staying focused for a long night in the hills

 Snow showers building as we depart the summit of Robinson

 Snow on the Central Fells

 Crevasse rescue on Shepherds Crag

 Jo pulling hard to rescue Stew from a particularly nasty looking hole!

 Being rescued using an assisted hoist