At 550 km long (equivalent distance of London to Gretna Green, or 13 back-to-back marathons) the team’s route will be a significant endurance challenge in the depth of the Siberian winter. Ash and Phil will carry a GPS beacon that will allow followers to track their progress in real time (via www.followmychallenge.com and twitter: ashrouten).
Ash Routen said: “This will be the most significant and exciting adventure I’ve taken on to date. Whilst relatively fit, Phil and I will have to use all our resilience and determination to complete it. It’s not located in the polar regions, however Lake Baikal is known for it’s high wind speed and low temperatures, so we’re extremely grateful for the support of Sub Zero and SIGG to help equip us for these conditions. We can’t wait to get out there, it’s the trip of a lifetime!”.
Stuart Theobald, SIGG UK said: “At SIGG we're always pleased to hear from adventurous people looking for expedition support; none more so than Ash Routen. Walking across Lake Baikal is no mean feat and with the extremely low temperatures expected, we immediately realised that these guys were going to really need a hot brew. That's where our Hot & Cold products excel, so that's what we felt compelled to provide. As the start of this expedition draws closer we're getting more excited to hear the epic tales that Ash and Phil will have on their return”.
Expedition patron Geoff Somers MBE said: “The area is remote and challenging, and small independent trips such as this are important to raise the aspirations of young people today, and keep alive a sense of adventure”.
Departing from the southern shores of Lake Baikal at Listvyanka, they will traverse the eastern coast of the lake, before negotiating Olkhon island, and finishing in
Severobaikalsk at the top of the lake. From here it’s a two day train journey back to the city of Irkutsk and their departure point.
Walking for 8-10 hours per day, Ash and Phil will experience temperatures down to
-40 and below with wind chill. They will consume nearly 6,000 calories per day to maintain the necessary strength to pull the two sledges each, which will contain up to 100 kg of supplies to complete the journey unsupported.
They will walk across large areas of uncovered ice (no snow cover), and will have to negotiate sections of open water, as well as ice rubble up to 10m in height formed by colliding sheets of ice.
Expedition facts:
Distance: 550 km or 342 miles
Duration: +/- 22 days in remote Siberia
Ambient temperature range: zero to -40 degrees centigrade
Sledge weight: up to 100kg at start of expedition
Max depth of lake: 1.6 km or 1.0 mile
Thickness of lake ice: 0.4 to 1.5 metres
Calories consumed: 6,000 per day
Changes of underwear: two
# ENDS #
For further information and interviews please contact Ash Routen, E: a.routen@gmail.com . Supporting photos can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5m00d2c6fkf01yt/AAA4xL0tUgnb6HuaL2SB3rLPa?dl=0
Notes to editors
- Ash Routen (31) lives in Leicester and is an academic at Loughborough University with a PhD in Physical Activity and Public Health. Ash has been on two previous ‘polar’ expeditions to Arctic Norway, as well as cycling the length of France, and is a regular hill walker. www.ashrouten.com
- Phil Sturgeon (50) lives in Southwell near Nottingham and is a self-employed plumber. Phil has been on a previous expedition to Arctic Norway with Ash, and has completed one of the world’s toughest endurance races – the Spine race. Phil is also a regular hill walker and rock climber.
- The expedition is supported by co-presenting partners Sub Zero and SIGG; supporting partners, Follow my Challenge and Fuelling your Adventures; and supplier partners Expedition Foods and Nordisk Outdoor; and Baikal based logistics partner Eugene Kapluneko of A-B tours.
- Sub Zero Technology Ltd is an award winning independent technical outdoor clothing and kit store. Sub Zero have been designing and manufacturing technical outdoor clothing in their Leicestershire factory since 1969. A pioneer in outdoor clothing development, Sub Zero have won multiple industry awards as well as being chosen for the Design Councils 'Millennium Product'. They are proud to say their garments are Made in Great Britain – www.subzero.co.uk.
- Born in Switzerland over 100 years ago, SIGG today refreshes the world with stunning design and excellent quality. Its Swiss Made, reusable aluminium bottles are much more than drinking vessels. They are artists’ canvases with some masterpieces earning a place in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. SIGG bottles are innovative, functional, go-anywhere and totally suited for leisure and sporting activities. SIGG is the world market leader and usual winner in consumer tests and sets the competitive pace. Their lightweight and practicality qualify SIGG bottles as vital equipment for adrenalin-hungry adventurers and mountaineers. At lower altitudes, film stars and super models confirm their status as a ‘must-have’ lifestyle accessory. And with 100% recyclability designs, continual innovation and products for all ages and tastes, SIGG proves it has a real thirst for tomorrow – www.uk.sigg.com.