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Episode 2

Episode 2 of 4

The team members arrive in Greenland and make their final preparations for the expedition before they head off over the sea ice on the first real test of their fitness.

The teenagers say goodbye to their families and set off for Greenland.
It’s the starting point for expeditions across the Arctic and a world away from the teenagers’ homes in Bathgate.

Emma is one of the youngsters on the team. Bullied at school, she suffers from low self-esteem and anxiety, but her inclusion on the expedition has given her a new confidence.

As the team gets used to their Arctic surroundings, their first task is to master cross-country skiing, before they dig out their supplies from beneath months of Arctic snowfall. While on the ice they will drag everything they need for the expedition on sledges.

On their last night before setting off, team leader Craig Mathieson describes the scale of their expedition: they are planning 10 days camping in the wild, covering hundreds of kilometres deep into the Arctic wilderness.

Team member Adam looks a natural for the physical challenge ahead. Like all the team he has had to struggle with a lack of confidence. But now he feels ready for the task.

On their first night on the ice, they pitch their tents before the temperature plummets to minus seven degrees. But before they can relax they need to protect themselves against the real and deadly threat of polar bears.

29 minutes

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