Induction Weekends

OVERVIEW

Whether it’s to reach a north pole or immerse yourself in a serious Arctic journey, many people dream of embarking on a physically and mentally demanding polar expedition. But you need three things:

To know what you are letting yourself in for
To be realistic about your capabilities and learn where your shortfalls lie
To have the right sort of training up to the required level of competence

To embark on such a fantastic journey also requires a very large level of commitment in terms of financial investment and time. It’s not cheap otherwise many more people would be doing it and if you are to succeed it will dominate your life for many months. You have to be as certain as you can that you want to do a polar expedition. The Ice Warrior Induction Weekend aims to help you decide whether to take the dream any further.

The aim of the weekend is to take you out of your comfort zone, just a little and give you a chance to sample what you may have to go through on an Arctic Expedition. It’s all about teamwork under pressure, ingenuity, innovation, camaraderie, concentration, interpretation, resolve, determination, empathy, communications and - of course - fun.

As well as our opportunity to get to know you and assess if you are suitable to undertake training for a polar expedition it is also your opportunity to learn about us and how we operate. Polar expeditions demand a positive and flexible approach as no matter how well they are planned the nature of travelling is dictated by the prevailing weather conditions.

You will be in a wild environment. BUT:

We don’t inform you about where you’re going or what you’ll need (clothing and equipment) until three days before the event.

We don’t inform you about what you’ll be doing until the event itself.

We don’t set any expectations.

This is what people have said:

Impressive how in such a short time you can absorb so much new information, learn so much about yourself and bond so well as a team. A highly recommended introduction to what you can expect from this world class expedition organisation.' Sim

A great and thoroughly enjoyable weekend all round, which is quite a lot to say of a weekend spent wet, cold and a little hungry. The emphasis is on teamwork, problem solving, and finding out a little bit about how far you can push yourself. All of this is made fun and rewarding thanks to the super, like minded people that make up the team and the amazing way in which the Ice Warrior team guide you through the weekend journey. I learnt a lot about myself and of the wider world around me. One of the most fulfilling and gratifying weekends one can wish to undertake. Michael

The IW induction weekend was engaging and exciting from start to finish. The anticipation of not knowing what was going to happen next added to the excitement as we worked in the team to complete challenges, solve problems and navigate our way around the moors. Over the weekend I learnt many new skills from both the Ice Warrior team and our induction weekend team mates. It was a brilliant weekend all round, and I can safely say that none of us were ready to go home again on Sunday night! Can't wait for the next instalment of IW training. Cara

What I particularly enjoyed about the weekend was the uncertainty. We had a simple list of instructions and kit to bring and no more. Each activity or task after that was unknown and I found this very exciting and outside my normal comfort zone. I also enjoyed the social aspect of the weekend. Being thrown in at the deep end really speeds up the time to get to know people and I have made a selection of new good friends from the weekend. Oliver C.

Looking for a challenge and found the Ice Warrior web. I was intrigued about the concept of ordinary people being trained to go on a scientifically useful expedition emulating the golden age of British exploration. The induction weekend was a great combination of physical and mental challenges. It was a great opportunity to learn and put in to practice navigational skills. It also gave a great chance to learn first-hand about polar exploration. I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in polar travel. Tim

Thanks very much for a fantastic weekend! The relaxed and unpressurised environment of the weekend meant you were only having to meet your own expectations and gave novices like me a comfortable learning platform upon which to build and a great initiation into Ice Warrior. Fergus

Hello everyone! My name is Davide, I come from the north east of Italy and I leave in a small village called Buttrio. I’m 26 years old and I’ve just graduated from my Master degree in Cinema. I leave close to the mountains and I love to hike and try new and exciting things. I grow up with my father telling me stories about explorers like Amundsen or Hillary. I came across Ice-Warrior on the internet and I decided to give it a try! I really enjoyed the introducing weekend, I learnt a lot of new and interesting things, met a lot of amazing people, and put myself to the test!

I have just finished a degree in philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford. I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life and came on the induction on the off chance I could find someone I could go to the pole with, and because I was looking for a challenge. The weekend did not disappoint. We were pushed hard consistently (at least for a day!), the people were remarkable, friendly and often inspiring. I feel like I have made friends I will keep for life, and like I want to stay a part of this organisation. Not bad for two days! Tom

I didn't know what to expect from the induction training, turning up at the location with mist around my ankles I quickly began to get the idea. Everything is developed into a challenge that forces you and your team mates to think and work with a real focus on achieving your goals. At the end I was tired, hungry and very happy. Graeme

The location didn't disappoint and kept true to form with either thick white fog or rods of rain blowing at us from every direction, but that still didn't detract from an absolutely fantastic weekend From when we first all met in a remote car park through a range of tasks and challenges the whole team gelled brilliantly. The whole weekend was a total success. Justin

"THANK YOU for an amazing weekend - truly the most amazing thing I have ever done and with amazing people". Pauline S.

"I have spent many a weekend in the hills but none like this. You will definitely be better prepared for anything after this weekend and it was an enjoyable experience that I will long remember." Denis

"The weekend is as much a mental test as a physical one. It's hugely enjoyable finding out how you function when you are cold, tired and hungry. So often we curse our sat nav for making us drive effortlessly down the wrong road in complete warm and safe comfort. When you have a map and compass in your hand there is no one else to blame if it goes wrong. It's a weekend of making new friends, teamwork, personal growth, exploring your own limits - it's tough fun. I most enjoyed the dynamic of the team, everyone had different roles, strengths and even these changed over the time we spent together. A couple of times I asked myself why had I come on the weekend but I'd do it again at the drop of a hat! "Craig

"The weekend was hard work but superb fun. It was fantastic to be in the company of like-minded people with whom I shared mutual goals and who didn't think I was a barking mad eccentric (as people generally do!!) Ice Warrior is the most difficult, arduous mission I have ever set myself, and the fund-raising aspect is every bit as daunting as the physical task ahead. There's nowhere to hide from your weaknesses and the only solution is to face them head-on and steam-roll straight over them!
I am more determined than ever to rise to the many challenges involved and I have no doubt whatsoever that I will do so, but I just know it's going to be really, really painful!" Heidi

“I have really enjoyed the weekend. Thank you for letting me take-part.” Jo

“Good range of skills and personalities which meant everyone learnt a lot.” Oliver N.

“I really enjoyed the weekend and have been glad of the experience even if I don’t make it…I’ll apply again for the next one. It’s been great.” Andrew G

“Even if I don’t get on the squad, then I will have thoroughly enjoyed this experience anyway” Liz R

.“I’ve had a fantastic time on the weekend. The people have been so friendly and I’ve made some great memories.” Neil S

“This weekend without doubt awakened a huge appetite within me” Seb. K

"I am writing to thank you for a most wonderful weekend. It was an absolutely amazing experience". Olga

We look forward to seeing you there – wherever there is!

Please contact us to find out more

Read about previous expeditions