Fancy going to the Arctic?

Temperatures at around 27 below zero, solid cold, arctic conditions, miles from anywhere, with no shops, electricity, showers or running water.... could you cope?, 89.7Bay and the SPCA are running a nine-day expedition to the Arctic Circle in March 2011, in aid of the SPCA.

Bay is looking for 16 challengers, men and women, to take part in this once in a life time opportunity, set in the pristine wilderness of Northern Sweden, surrounded by snow, mountains, starry skies, pine forests, frozen lakes and arctic wildlife.

"You don't have to be super fit," said Sue Simons, Fundraising Manager at the SPCA, "but you need a good level of fitness to be able to cope with extreme conditions. You need to have a sense of adventure, be prepared to work as a team, cope without home comforts and most importantly have a good sense of humour!"

The expedition will include snow mobiling across the frozen lakes and up the windy snowy mountain paths to 2,500 feet, through the forests amongst the herds of reindeer and arctic wildlife.

Those taking part will learn how to drive a pack of six huskies on a sled and lunch on a bowl of reindeer stew. (Vegetarians are catered for).

They will also learn how to ice fish, follow the tracks of wild animals, learn to build fires, shelters and snow holes as well as cross country ski-ing.

Challengers will be based in a traditional wooden cabin in a remote part of the Arctic Circle with only the basics of beds, a wood burner, sink (but no running water) and hob, dining table and chairs.

Once acclimatisation is over, the ‘Survival' part of the expedition starts where participants will be building and living in a shelter and snow hole in extreme temperatures.

The experience is by no means new for Sue Simons, who took part in an expedition in 2008.

, "Sleeping under the arctic sky with its millions of stars and seeing the Northern Lights was magical."

"I learnt so many new skills I thought I would never be capable of doing. I chopped 30 foot trees down, built and cooked on an open fire in -27 conditions; I learnt to build an igloo/snow hole, mastered cross country skiing and coped with the extremes. Best of all we all lost lots of weight. I lost over 4.5 kgs in 9 days!"

If you would like to become an explorer and join this unique challenge which is being run by Intrepid Expeditions in conjunction with 89.7 Bay and the SPCA then you need to apply as soon as possible as numbers are limited.

Full training days and safety briefs will take place in Malta.

www.bay.com.mt.