Unique Expedition Skills Course Launches

Polar bear wrestling is the new essential travel skill, or something like that, judging from a new Expedition Skills course scheduled for July.

The North Face-sponsored athlete Baz Roberts (right) encountered the polar bear in Greenland and lived to tell the tale; now he wants to pass on some of his essential expedition survival skills via a 'uniquely comprehensive' Expedition Skills course.

The week-long event is being held in the Lake District and combines instruction in expedition first aid with 4x4 driving and bushcraft skills with instruction from top experts in each field.

Based near Windermere in the grounds of a private estate, the syllabus includes skills like vehicle winching, steep driving techniques, treating malaria, using antibiotics, jungle living and managing wildlife hazards.

The annual course is aimed at amateur and professional travellers who want to beef up their skill set and CV although no prior experience is required.

Dates are 22-28 July and, deep breath, cost is a cool £795 all inclusive. That might sound a lot now, but you'll no doubt consider it money well spent if you find yourself surrounded by hungry polar bears after parking your Land Rover in a large geyser...

More information at www.wildernessmedicaltraining.co.uk or by e-mail wmt@wildernessmedicaltraining.co.uk