Student set to tackle Arctic expedition

A gap year student is set to go to the Arctic as she takes part in an expedition conducting climate change research, writes Sabrina Kernbichler.

Herpreet Bhamra, 18, will leave her home in Kenton, Harrow, on April 2 to embark on a three-month Arctic expedition organised by the British Schools Exploring Society.

Herpreet will join a team of 13 young people and 6 leaders in their quest to explore Svalbard, just 600 miles from the North Pole with a crueling climate of -25C.

The 18-year-old said: "I am excited to see the Arctic with its mountains, polarbears and other wildlife as well as conducting research that matters."

The youngters will sleep in small tents for the whole time and will travel by ski.

Herpreet added: "I am also a little scared as spending three month in a tent can be quite claustrophopic."

Many other challenges will await the team once they reach the Arctic wilderness.

The team will have no supply of water and will need to melt snow to drink and cook army-rationed meals.

They will also spend the quarter of a year without a shower.

Herpreet added: "We have to wear five layers of clothes and pull our own pulks packed with equipment. The morning routine alone will take up to two hours."

Activities will also include ice climbing and mountaineering as the team will measure glaciers in the region.

Herpreet who will start a course in physics at London's Imperial College at the end of this year, said: "I haven't done things like this before but we were given training in Scotland a few weeks ago.

"It was tough and scary but also exciting."

The teenager has taken a part-time job to finance the expedition which will cost 8,000 to £9,000.

She said: "After all, not many people have the opportunity to do this."

The British Schools Exploring Society is a youth development charity which offers young people between 18 and 23 the opportunity to challenge themselves in remote environments while developing more confidence plus teamwork and leadership skills.

The research data from Herpreet's and other expedition will be used by other academic institutions as part of long-term scientific projects to develop a better understanding of climate change.