Kathryn Rose

Kathryn Rose

My name is Kathryn Rose, I’m 29 and I live in Cambridge. I first found out about the Terra Nova expedition during a school trip to the Scott Polar Research Institute at the age of seven.  Scott’s adventures captured my imagination and gave me a passion for outdoor adventure and cold environments.  This had led me to a career in glaciology, which means that I get to study glaciers and ice in Polar Regions.  The ISCE is a fantastic challenge and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Scott’s Centenary and promote his legacy of science in Antarctica.

April 2011: My visit to HMS Raleigh has been extraordinary.  I can’t believe we completed so many physical and mental challenges in only three days.  I feel incredibly privileged to have experienced some of the training routines Royal Navy recruits overcome.  It has really revealed the courage, discipline and loyalty that were integral to Scott and his team of naval officers.  I saw my passion for Scott and his legacy of science and exploration reflected in different ways in all the candidates. Even if we don’t all reach Antarctica, we now all have the chance to be part of the ISCE Team. 

Kathryn Rose on Scott from ISCE 2012 on Vimeo.

Dartmoor Training Weekend (July, 2011)

I returned from our weekend on Dartmoor absolutely buzzing.  The expedition provided a real insight into what life would be like in the Antarctic, having to walk long hours everyday, pulling all our equipment and supplies with us.  Our heavy rucksacks, coupled with the uneven and boggy terrain of Dartmoor and nights spent under a poncho, were an ideal platform to test our capabilities. It was a great to team up with the other candidates again and everyone rose to the occasion.  Tired and with sore feet we were all able to celebrate our achievement with a well deserved Spirit of Scott beer at the end.  I can’t wait for the next event!

Admiralty Interview Board (September, 2011)
The AIB was a fantastic experience.  I can’t believe candidates get put through so much in so little time.  The physical and mental tests felt very thorough, even on a shortened course.  It gives you a better insight into the qualities that the Royal Navy are looking for in their personnel and the attributes that Scott must have possessed to achieve his status.  I had a fantastic time, being able to spend time both at HMS Sultan and with the other candidates again.  We all seem to get on so well despite only seeing each other intermittently. 

The Final Four (September, 2011)
I’m now incredibly excited to find out that I have been selected to the final four in the Daily Telegraph ISCE competition.  At HMS Sultan I felt sure that each one of us would make a fantastic addition to the Centenary Expedition.  Selection is such a tough process and it’s starting to become more real to me what it would mean if I was the one to go.  I’ve know about Scott for as long as I can remember.  To be able to celebrate his achievements in a memorial service at his last camp site would be incredibly moving.  I would be able to pay tribute to someone who has inspired my love of polar science and adventure.

Half Marathon Challenge (October, 2011)

At the weekend I completed the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon to raise sponsorship for the ISCE and of course to help drive my fitness training for the expedition.  The atmosphere in London was really great.  I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who supported and sponsored me.  There’s still time to donate now at my BMyCharity page.  To find out more about the race visit MY BLOG site too!

Norway Training (Oct-Nov, 2011)

Only 1 day remaining before we head off to Norway for 10 days of Arctic winter snow survival training.  Half the excitement is in the anticipation and packing.  It’s just deciding what to take!   I’ve kept the training up since the Half Marathon and sponsorship money is still coming in, which is great.  I just hope it’s enough for the rigors of Arctic Norway.  I just can’t believe that we are almost at the end of the selection process.  I was utterly thrilled to make the final four and I just don’t want the process to end.

Return from Arctic Norway (Nov, 2011)

Arrived back from Norway late last night and can’t believe I’m home.  The Arctic training expedition with the ISCE was incredible.  There was so much to take in, but I felt I really learnt so much about what it is to undertake a polar expedition, as well as learning a bit more about myself. 

We covered topics such as clothing systems, stove use and maintenance, tent and camp routines, cold weather injuries and polar exploration history.  On our seven day training expedition we were given the opportunity to practice pulling pulks (a kind of sledge), laden with all our kit and go on a training run with a tractor tyre! 

It was amazing to finally have a sense of what Scott and his men put their mind to, when they set out with their sledges 100 years ago.  I really got a taste for expedition life and what it’s like to camp and work in the cold and snow.  Being involved with the ISCE has been a truly remarkable experience and I can’t wait for the next year of Centenary celebrations to continue.

For more details on the Arctic Training Expedition see the Latest News - Return from the Arctic, the ISCE Arctic Blog page and the Daily Telegraph.

Kathryn Rose on the Arctic Training Expedition from ISCE 2012 on Vimeo.