Our speaker this month was Warrant Officer Al Sylvester, a former team leader in RAF mountain rescue service where he was involved with stretcher rescues and rescues from crashed aircraft.
Al talked to us about his amazing trek to the South Pole. He explained how the four team members were chosen from 31 applicants, following expeditions in Iceland and Norway.
We also heard how nearly £200,000 was raised and how the team’s fitness was improved. Al developed his leg and back muscles for pulling his 18 stone sled by dragging two tyres and a large lump of concrete for three hours a day in all weathers.
The team were finally flown in the starting point near the Patriot Hills and left unsupported in the icy wilderness. Al described the mental challenges of the isolation, the physical challenges of living at -38 degrees with wind speeds sometimes over 100 mph and gave us a very entertaining and colourful account of the everyday routine of eating, drinking and life’s other necessary functions.
Unfortunately the cold took its toll and with two team members suffering from severe frost bite the trek had to be aborted. The team did reach the South Pole by plane and were then returned home.
Al does not regret his journey to the South Pole despite losing the ends of his thumbs due to frostbite. He encouraged us all to step out of our comfort zone and do something amazing.
Next month, on Wednesday 20th March at 7.30pm at Broad Town Village Hall we are having a video and question & answer session by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
We would like some more members so why not come along.