Barney's Trekking Through the Arctic

Phil Jones' (Barney) Trekking Through the Arctic 2023 Page.

Hi my name is Phil Jones (Barney to a lot of you), and in March 2023 I will be joining a small group of volunteers who will be going to the Swedish Arctic to complete a 100km snowshoe walk to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre, which is situated in South Wales.

This is an unsupported walk over 5 days, and begins at Abisko, which is 250 kms inside the Arctic Circle, and it ends at Kiruna, the most northernmost city in Sweden; temperatures can drop to as low as -40

The walk itself will take us over frozen lakes, past ancient glaciers as we cross the the lands inhabited by the indigenous Sami people. This stunning landscape is home to such species as Moose, Reindeer, Arctic Fox, Brown Bear and Lynx, and it is considered one of the best places on the planet to witness the Northern Lights-Mother Nature's greatest light show! Whilst crossing these lands we will be carrying our own supplies and kit, with auxillary equipment being carried on pulks-which we in turn will have to pull!

I have decided to undertake this challenge in memory of my eldest sister Sue who died from lung cancer ten years ago and who received fantastic treatment at Velindre. I am also honouring those who helped me when I too was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, indeed, I am remembering all those who have faced this cruel disease and all those who tirelessly work to help combat cancer.

My challenge over these five days is incomparable to the challenges faced by those suffering from this awful disease. So to help combat the fight against cancer, I hope you can find it in your heart to donate whatever you can, and help those whose lives have been sorely affected by this terrifying illness.

Thank you for reading this.