| Polar Training
- Kiting
This course emphasizes the use of power kites for polar travel. Kiting has opened a new means of travel that is very exciting or frustrating/dangerous depending on your skills.
Dates: April 27 - May 9, 2009
Cost: $3,000.00 plus GST
Canadian dollars, from Iqaluit, Nunavut
Maximum Group Size: 6
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Course
Description
The focus during the first 5 days is on skill & technique development. Inside workshops include understanding wind, kite design, theory of flying traction kites, clothing systems, cold weather injuries, etc. The afternoons are more experiential with outside workshops on basic kiting techniques, introduction to kites & skis, downwind turns, kiting upwind, kiting with pulks, etc. The last 5 days comprise of an expedition on Frobisher Bay. The emphasis is on "putting it all together"; efficient & safe polar travel with kites, keeping a group together while kiting, camping procedures, navigation, etc. During the entire course, participants sleep out in expedition tents to gain valuable "sleeping in the cold" experience.
Course Content
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Kite Skiing
The Right Kite for the Right Wind
Launch & Recovery Techniques
Turns & Leans
Kiting Downwind & Upwind
Pulling Pulks
Perfecting Kite-Ski Technique
Flying Bigger Kites
Longer Kite Lines
Flying with One Hand
Upwind Turns
Advance Kite-Ski Technique
Racing
Jumps
Ski Buggy
Cross Country Skiing
Skis, Boots & Binding Systems
Wax & No Wax Skis, Skins
Develop Efficient Ski Technique
Pulk Designs & Pulling
Modifications & Expedition Repairs
Clothing Systems
Traditional Inuit & Polar Clothing
Layering Systems
Pros & Cons of Various Fabrics
Vapor Barrier Systems (VBL)
Modifications for Extreme Cold
Building a Clothing System that Works
Sleeping Systems
Down Vs Synthetic, 1 or 2 Bags, VBL
Sleeping Pads
Food & Menus
Calories Vs Grams
Food Selection, Menu, Taste, Packing
Emergency Rations
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Cold Weather Injuries
Frostbite, Hypothermia, Chill Blains
Navigation
Sun, Watch, GPS, Compass
Travel Log
Sextants
Travel Styles
Expedition Schedule, Daily Schedule
Mileage Vs Time
Leading
Camping Styles
Equipment Selection
Warm Vs Cold Tent
Repairs While on Expedition
Travel on Glaciers & Ice Caps
Traveling Roped-Up
Crevasse Rescues
Communication Systems
Satellite Phones
Argos, PLB
Batteries, Solar Power
Call Schedules, Comms Forms
Public Relations
Selling Your Soul to the Media
Expedition CV, Fundraising
Responsibility to Sponsors
Web page & Contact 2.0 Software
Base Support Team
Roles & Responsibilities
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| Difficulty: |
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| You need to have basic cross country or downhill ski technique and experience. The more comfortable you feel on skis, the faster you will learn to kite ski. You need to be in good physical condition without any back or knee injuries. On the 5-day expedition, you will be kite skiing pulling a pulk for 4 - 6 hours per day. When there is no wind, we will ski and pull our pulks.
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