Exercise ICE MAIDEN

Congratulations to Pte Beth Grey from 80 Sqn, 29 Regt RLC, who has been selected to take part in Exercise ICE MAIDEN.

Exercise ICE MAIDEN is the first ever female only team to attempt to cross Antartica. Beth has been selected from 200 females across the Army who all carried out vigorous physical & mental tests. Taking place in October 2017 the team will be following in the footsteps of Felicity Aston MBE, an inspirational explorer who was the first woman to complete a solo crossing of Antarctica. The route will start at the bottom of the Leverett Glacier on the Ross Ice Shelf and will head up to the South Pole before heading to Hercules Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf; a total of nearly 1700km. With only two re-supply points along the route the team will carry all the supplies and equipment needed to survive for up to 600km at a time.

Beth recently returned from the final selection phase in Norway, Ex ICE BAMBI, where the final 22 females were whittled down to 6. The Expedition will consist of the 6 selected females covering a distance of 1700km across Antartica in temperatures of as low as -80 degrees Celsius facing wind speeds of 60mph, totally self sufficient pulling their own pulks.

Follow the progress of the Expedition on 29 Regiment’s Facebook page.

The Corps wishes Beth all the best for the Expedition!