Support a new adventure

Intrepid Optimist isn't only interested in adventure stories from the past, we're keen to help the next generation of adventure travellers embark on new adventures - and hopefully tell us all about them in our story section.

A couple of months ago we wrote about one of these up and coming adventurers who is about to embark upon an adventure driving a team of huskies across Norway.  We were so impressed with her spirit of adventure that we contacted her for an interview and hope you'll help her raise the money she's hopeing to donate  to WaterAid through her trip.                    

Kiri Crequer will be driving a team of huskies from Norway to Sweden on an aventure that starts on 17th April 2010. The trip is 250km and will take 6 days of mushing through deep forest and rolling highlands across the Arctic. The challenge will take place beneath the beautiful Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), and will finish at the ice hotel in Jukarssarvi.

IO: How did you come up with idea of trekking from Norway to Sweden with a team of husky's?
Kiri: I saw an advert in The Big Issue, and thought 'I'd love to do that.' Then I booked it before I bottled it and changed my mind.

IO: Do you like dogs? How do you know what to look for when you choose your team?
Kiri: I love dogs. I had a border collie for 15 years, but she passed away in 2008 so I've missed having one around. When we get to Villmarkssenter on the first day I will get to meet all 130 dogs - I've no idea how the team gets picked, other than documentaries I've seen. There is definiately a hirarchy about which dog goes in front, but I'll learn all of that on my first day. I'm going in pretty blind.

IO: Have you always been an outdoor type - outdoor sports skiing etc.?
Kiri: No! I'm an indoorsy reading sort of girl. I've only been skiing once, and that was in Holland on a fake hill! I have done some rock climbing and abseiling, and I'm not afraid of extreme conditions.

IO: Why did you choose Water Aid as your charity?
Kiri: I think having access to clean water is one of the three most important needs and rights as a human. You need food and shelter, and you need water. 1 in 8 of the population do not have this basic human right, and I that needs to change. WaterAid are the people changing that statistic.

IO: What do you see as your biggest challenges in the next few months?
Kiri: My biggest challenges are getting my fundraising target and getting my fitness levels up. January will be a final push for fundraising, as I need to get the bulk of my target (80%) by the end of the month. So far I've raised £1660, which means I need to raise another £740 in just a few weeks! As for the fitness, I have joined the gym and committed to a trekking training plan which starts off at 65 hours a week, but grows continually until you're doing 13 hours a week.

IO: What do you see as your biggest challenges when you're underway?
Kiri: Trying not to fall off! I'd say I'm going to need a lot of core strength and balance to stay in control of the sled. You think you just have to hang on, but if it tilts or you hit a dodgy bit of snow, you have to know how to counter balance quickly and at the same time, not so much that you fly off in the other direction. I'd say the main challenge is going to be endurance. We'll be doing 14 hour days in -20 conditions so I know it'll be tough. I have strong will power, which is what will make me hang in there till the end.

IO: Will you have any help/a support team on the journey?
Kiri: We'll have two trained sledders - one at the front and one at the back. There will also be 11 others like me who have no idea what they are doing! And then of course, there will be my team of happy huskies.

IO: What are you most excited about?
Kiri: Meeting all the dogs, seeing the northern lights and staying in the ice hotel at the end.

IO: What are you most worried about?
Kiri: I'm not really worried. I know I should be. Too far away I guess. I will be really freaking out two weeks before I go. Right now I am just concentrating on my fundraising events, and making sure I hit my £3000 target for WaterAid.
 
IO: You've been carol singing and selling drum kits to help raise money - what else are you planning in the run up to the trip?
Kiri: I'm organising an event on the 28th Jan - which will include a male auction, so there is still time for people to come along and get involved! Basically the men will strut their stuff or do a party trick and people will bid for an hour or evening of their time. We are also going to have some bands playing, a raffle, and a pool tournament, so it's going to be a great night! My next door neighbour and boyfriend have both volunteered to run 10 km on 18th January, so that will raise some more funds. I want to run a fundraising abseil event, but need a building! If anyone can lend me a building, please get in touch!

IO: How can our readers help?
Kiri: There are loads of ways readers can help. You can sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/kiri. You can donate a building for a fundraising abseil event. Or if you live in South London, come along to WaterAid Band Night on the 28th Jan. It's only £5 entry and is directly opposite South Wimbledon tube. The pub is called The Grove Tavern. 7:30-12:00

Thanks Kiri and good luck from the team at Intrepid Optimist.

For more information:
Email: kiri.crequer@googlemail.com
www.kiri.blog.com for information about and fundraising events.

Fundraising Event:
Thursday 28th January 2010
Time: 19:30pm - 12:00am
Location: The Grove Tavern, South Wimbledon, London, SW19 3BH
Entertainment: Bands, pool tournament, raffle and male auction! Bid for an hour or evening with your dream man!
£5 entry. Email kiri.crequer@googlemail.com to book in advance.
All proceeds go to WaterAid. www.wateraid.org.uk

(Kiri's trip is being organised by www.globaladventurechallenges.com)