Harry's Arctic Heroes Walking with the Wounded on the Expedition of a Lifetime

by McCrum, Mark; Cowan, Thomas

• ISBN13: 9780751547054
• ISBN10: 0751547050
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-03
• Publisher: Sphere

Summary

In April 2011, four soldiers - each a hero of recent conflicts who suffered devastating injuries in the line of duty - set out on a challenge that even an able-bodied athlete would balk at. A two-hundred mile trek, unsupported, to the North Pole. It was the culmination of a journey that began long before, when two friends decided to mount an expedition that would demonstrate how remarkable our armed forces are and raise funds for the rehabilitation of injured service men and women. Little did they know that their idea would ultimately gain global attention, and royal endorsement. The year-long selection process was more physically and emotionally draining than anyone had anticipated. But by September 2010 the final team was set: the two founders, four wounded soldiers, a polar guide, and patron Prince Harry. Once they'd ventured inside the arctic circle they had to contend with new challenges. Pulling sleds weighing more then 100kg over vast swathes of ice rubble, pressure ridges and dangerous open water 'leads'; constant daylight; ground that could literally tear itself apart beneath them as they slept; and temperatures as low as -35 degrees. And all the time, they had to be alert for signs of the notoriously aggressive Polar Bears that roam the desolate landscape. With every step fraught with risk, the trek tested its participants'resilience to the limit. Each of these brave men tells their story here, along with that of the extraordinary expedition itself - the rigorous training, the meticulous preparation, and of course, the final, awe-inspiring journey across the ice. They returned as heroes again - proof that strength of mind can be every bit as powerful as strength of body, and an inspiration to us all.

Author Biography

Joined by patron Prince Harry, the charity founders, a polar guide and a film crew, the team achieved their goal despite facing hurdles an able-bodied athlete would baulk at, and having seen their resilience tested to the limit. They returned with a story that proves strength of mind can be every bit as powerful as strength of body, and as an inspiration to us all.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. x
Afghan	p. 1
æThis yellow broken body'	p. 12
A Sportsman's Bet?	p. 24
A Prince at the Pole	p. 33
'Would everyone please stop getting shot!'	p. 48
One Down…	p. 54
Professional Adventurers	p. 68
'A funny old time'	p. 77
A Great Birthday Present	p. 89
Fresh Blood	p. 102
'I can't die like this'	p. 117
Trials on the Snow	p. 130
Dress Rehearsal	p. 143
Send-off	p. 170
One of the Lads	p. 190
On Hold	p. 193
'We haven't trained for this'	p. 210
'Going like a steam train'	p. 238
The Final Push	p. 264
Warm Again	p. 282
Afterword	p. 288
Acknowledgements	p. 289
Expedition Kit List	p. 292
Index	p. 298
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.