Abi hopes Arctic adventure will inspire young women

AN outdoor enthusiast from the upper dale is hoping to inspire more female adventurers to follow in her footsteps after returning from a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Abi Atkinson, 26, who runs the Kingsway Adventure Centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale with her husband Rob, was selected for the Fjällräven Polar expedition as one of 26 lucky explorers from 15 countries.
Having been on a week-long journey across almost 200 miles of Arctic tundra led by sled dogs, Ms Atkinson returned to her home in Mickleton last week.
She said: “It exceeded my expectations in every way. It was a lot more physical than I thought it would be. We had some really full-on intense days. We learned so much there.
“It was a dog sledding expedition and a survival course.
“You just had to get on with it. You had no other option and I think that is a good situation to be in. It really tested your resilience and your capabilities. I came home buzzing.”
Ms Atkinson’s love for the outdoors inspired her to apply for a place on the trip.
She also wanted to prove to other young women that the outdoors and adventurous activities are not just for males. She is now keen to share her experience to help inspire others.
The team met in Sigtuna, north of Stockholm, and Ms Atkinson was paired with TV wildlife presenter Kate Humble for the duration of the trip.
As part of a team of five, the pair had to look after themselves and their dogs throughout their unique journey from Sweden to Norway, high above the Arctic Circle.
Ms Atkinson said: “We were on the sled for eight hours a day.
“When we got to camp we had four hours of jobs to do before we could rest.
“Everything was about the dogs first even if you were hungry and tired.”
She added: “Before you did your own food, you had to boil snow to get water to cook the dogs’ food.
“You don’t realise how much water you need until you have to melt snow to get it. We would spend most of the evening boiling water and then we had the tent to put up.”
Although the group of explorers saw little more than vast wilderness during their trip, Ms Atkinson and her team did pass through two Sami villages and were acknowledged by native Sami people.
She said: “The last night before we got to the finish line, we slept under the stars and we got to see the Northern Lights. We did not want to shut our eyes. You could not have made it up. It was perfect.”
That same night, the group also experienced a temperature of -24C – a polar record for the Fjällräven Polar expedition.
Having returned to life in the dale, Ms Atkinson has already lined up a number of talks with local schools as well as Barnard Castle Rotary Club and local WI groups.
She said: “I have made friends for life and it has made me realise I am capable and it has given me confidence in myself.
“Stereotypically, the people who go to these harsh environments are portrayed by the media as being a certain type of person.
“I’m not. I’m still girly and I like make up and looking good. That does not mean you are not capable of doing something like this.”
She added: “Being female can be beneficial. We have a different mindset to men.
“My plan is to inspire them and show them that the world does not end at Teesdale. Girls can have big ambitions.
“There is so much beyond and they can seek to do incredible things. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”