Page 30 - link magazine

30 The Link Magazine • March 2003
Explorers and expeditioners have chilly encounter in Westlea freezer
Thanks to The Link, two youngsters from West Swindon, who will take part in a month long Duke of Edinburgh's expedition to Alaska this
summer, visited Norman Butler from Westlea during his preparations for April's polar challenge race to the Magnetic North Pole.
The meeting took place on 7 Feb- 6 .: extremesteps.com fol lowed their
ruary in the giant freezer at Brake day in the freezer with a team
Brothers at Westmead Industrial building weekend in the Brecon
Estate where Norman, his two Beacons. On 21 February they
team mates and his professional spent 24 hours pulling a tyre to
advisors spent a day in tempera- M simulate hauling a sledge over ice
tures of minus 20'C. and will spend a few days cross
Sabrina Sheikh from Westlea country trekking and practising
and Danny Whiting from Middle- survival skills in Norway.
leaze took time out from their A' Dr Krinhaltz will be using the
level studies at Ridgeway School race to research the effects of the
to experience the cold conditions brain hormone melatonin in the
with Norman, Steven East and Dr field of 'chronobiology' for Uni-
Mike Krinhaltz, both from Lon- versity of Surrey by taking sam-
don, who together call themselves ples from fellow team members.
extremesteps.com Norman said his preparations
Padded up with many layers of for the race were going well. He
warm clothing, they saw the tent still needs financial backing to meet
setup inside the frozen warehouse, the costs of taking part and is look-
had a go at trying to cook at low ing for more business sponsors.
Ei
temperatures and talked to Rich- Sub-zero cooking, Norman with Danny and Sabrina, and rear from left, John What can you achieve?
ard Bull and John Billett who have
Billett, Richard Bull, and team members Steven East and Mike Krinhaltz Norman will be talking about the
visited the arctic several times. Arctic race and his 2001 solo At-
Both were pictured on the front Although mosquitos and not the quite frightening. You have to con-
page of The Link in 1998 when they cold will afflict the youngsters on sider every little thing to make sure lantic row at the University of Bath
raised money for Swindon chil- their trip, the opportunity to meet that you protect yourself." in Swindon on 6 March, 11.30am
dren's cancer charity CALM. Norman and his team was wel- Danny agreed. "It was good to for 12noon with guest speakers:
The 22 Ridgeway students go- comed. get a small idea of how the team is the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sir
ing for their gold award will be Sabrina said, "even with all the preparing for the race. It was an Maurice Johnston and John
hiking the Chilkoot trail in Alaska warm clothing I felt quite vulner- eye opening experience and I ad- Lawson from sponsors Halcrow.
to recreate the arduous journey able in the freezer. Richard told us mire their bravery." For details, contact Norman on
Klondike Gold prospectors under- to make sure the tips of our noses Norman has been invited to talk 882197 or 0771 258 6945 or:
took in the 1890s, and canoeing did not freeze up; the thought of to the Duke of Edinburgh's group [email protected]
down the Yukon in north west being out on the ice in those tem- on his return from the Arctic as part Information on the polar race can
Canada. peratures for a whole month was of their expedition preparations. be found at www.swindonlink.com

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