Not all Arctic adventurers start their journey by donning shorts and a t-shirt year-round in the UK but that’s exactly how one determined fundraiser, Lee Clark, prepared for what would become the experience of a lifetime. The goal? To prepare for the Husky Challenge in the Arctic Circle to fundraise for Against Breast Cancer.
In a bid to condition himself for the cold, this amazing challenger took to wearing shorts and a t-shirt through every season, including the freezing depths of winter. Some days were, by his own admission, “freezing, but I wanted to toughen up my skin to help me deal with the cold.”
Training wasn’t limited to enduring cold winds and frostbitten fingers. His two loyal companions, Frank the sausage dog and Olive the Jack Russell-looking dog, played a surprising role. These small but mighty dogs would pull him across the grass during runs. They might not have looked the part, but Frank and Olive helped lay the groundwork for what lay ahead.
Lee also attempted paddleboarding. ‘Balance training’ often ended in the sea rather than on the board, but again, it was all part of building resilience. Add a few nights sleeping on the balcony in a sleeping bag (until the rain forced a retreat inside), and daily cold-weather walks, and the prep for the Arctic was well underway.
Touchdown in a Snowy Wonderland
When the day finally came to head for the Arctic, excitement mingled with nerves. Flying isn’t Lee’s favourite pastime but upon landing in Kiruna, Lee said “I kept waiting to see Santa and his elf’s pop out from the workshop, Kiruna really was a truly magical place and I felt like a little kid in a sweetshop when in reality we were waiting in the carpark at the world’s smallest airport (unofficial).”
The group was welcomed by their guides and whisked away on snowmobiles through a forest blanketed in powdery snow. The ten-minute ride felt like something out of a fairytale, with snow-covered trees and sparkling trails and Lee “genuinely thought he was going to see elves playing around.”
Welcome to the Husky Lodge
Welcome to the Husky LodgeLee said that “after 10 minutes whizzing through the forest through magical snow, we arrived at the husky Lodge, and it was a big, wooden Lodge with a log burner inside to keep you warm. I just thought wow and my excitement just went crazy.” The magic reached new heights on the second night when the Northern Lights made their first appearance.
The group stood on a frozen lake for 90 unforgettable minutes, watching the green and purple waves dance across the sky. “My life was complete,” Lee said. “They were amazing and magical.”
Meet the Dogs (and the Poop)
The next morning, the group met the rest of their real teammates – the huskies. Their first task? Cleaning up poop, feeding the dogs, and of course, lots of cuddles. It was clear from the beginning; these dogs were full of energy and loyalty. Lee said that “one unforgettable moment came later in the week, when me and his partner forgot one important rule that the dogs carry on running without us”. Lesson learned – always be ready!
Adventure on the Trails
Each day brought fresh adventures. Sledding through vast white landscapes, spotting reindeer and red squirrels, and staying in remote lodges (including adorable hobbit-like huts), making the journey feel like something out of a fantasy novel. Even the meals added to the uniqueness with “mouse stew” on the menu, but Lee said, “it was surprisingly tasty”.
There were falls off the sleigh moments and the occasional crash into a tree, and plenty of tumbles into deep snow, but Lee said that “it was all good fun and made the adventure.”
And the dogs? They ran without pause, doing their business on the move (a true skill). Lee said that “if you were at the front, you quickly learned to ‘keep your goggles down’”.
Nights of Ice and Light
The group saw the Northern Lights on three separate nights. They went ice fishing, cooked meals together, and always made sure the dogs were cared for first. Lee said that “one particularly surreal moment was having a BBQ in the middle of a frozen lake, sipping hot coffee in the Arctic silence”.
The final night was an unforgettable stay at the world-famous Ice Hotel. The perfect end to an extraordinary journey.
Husky Challenge with a Purpose
Lee said that “while the adventure itself was unforgettable, the most important part about this event was raising money for Against Breast Cancer, which I love fundraising for and do one big challenge every year for them now.”
“I’ve done Kilimanjaro, Mount Toubkal, and next year I’ll be trekking across the Sahara Desert, but I must add, I don’t think any challenge I do will ever beat this husky challenge.”
Against Breast Cancer want to say a massive thank you to Lee for all he has achieved and continues to achieve for the Charity.
Fancy signing up to the Husky Trails challenge in support of breast cancer research yourself? Find more information here.