Answering the call of the wild

The temperature is minus 35C and dropping, you have no electricity, no gas and no mobile phone and you're in the middle of Lapland's icy wilderness.

It may not sound like everyone's idea of the trip of a lifetime but for 21 Luxembourg youngsters taking part in a polar expedition this is to be a reality for five days.

The nice twist in the “tail” is that the youngsters from youth clubs in Redange sur Attert and Grevenmacher will get to spend their stay with 16 cuddly Malamute dogs.

“These are places which have hardly been explored by humans. There won't be any electricity or running water or gas,” explained Franck Chabriac, founder of LA TRACE asbl.

The not-for-profit was set up in 2006 by the Malamute dog breeder offering zootherapie, a working method which uses the bond between humans and animals to serve therapeutic, preventative and recreational ends.

During their stay, the young people will feed and care for the dogs while cooking and keeping the traditional Finnish chalet where they will stay clean and tidy. But, it won't all be hard work. As well as witnessing the dazzling Northern Lights, they will visit a reindeer park, an ice hotel, build igloos, go trekking in the snow and camp out overnight.

“I suppose that the cold and the snow are frightening me a bit. In Luxembourg it's minus 10°C but in Lapland it's even colder,” admitted Eric, one of the young people taking part.

Franck explained the cold is “the most fierce animal” the group is likely to encounter and as such participants must wear several layers of thermal clothing when outside, meanwhile the team will take out a good supply of materials and equipment to support the mission.

“We talk about the cold and bears and elks,” said Franck. “I believe that these are risks which you can manage. Right now, I'm thinking about the 3,000 kilometres of driving required to reach the camp with all the dogs and equipment. I face more risks driving on the motorway than I will when we get there.”

For the rest of the team, each has their own expectations and apprehensions.

“I'm more frightened of the flight than the cold,” said Chris. Meanwhile, most of the young people agreed that seeing the untouched wilderness and watching the Northern Lights were among the things they most looked forward to. Julie, 16, concluded: “It's very pretty. It really is my dream to go there.”