Bored, looking for something to do?

Looking for a new adventure? You could sign-up for the 2009 Polar Challenge Race.

It’s simple. All you need is $45,000 dollars and two other friends with the same amount to pay the entry fee. But wait, don't let the price tag scare you just yet. The fee does include all of your travel expenses as well as an intense training program to survive the race. You don’t even need any experience to participate!

The Polar Challenge is a 320-mile cross-country skiing race to the Magnetic North Pole. It commemorates American adventurers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson on their successful first visit to the North Pole. The winning three-person team is awarded the Peary & Henson Cup.

Don’t have two friends with that kind of money to blow? You could still sign up and find, or be assigned to a team in need of another person. Maybe you don't have that kind of money to blow. You could always find a few sponsors willing to help foot the tab in exchange for a little logo space.

To prepare for the extreme Arctic weather, where temperatures can drop to -30 degrees, and wind chills can plunge to more than -85 degrees, the event organizers will take you through an intense series of training. In the weeks and months leading up to the race you’ll be trained by experts in skills such as: proper use of all expedition equipment, navigation, skiing, weapons training to defend yourself from polar bears, ice break drills, and, of course, Arctic survival skills. Training takes place in the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada.

The first training event begins next month for the April, 2009 race.

For me, I’ll be sticking with something slightly less extreme, like a hike up Mount LeConte.

Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com