BDST members train for their EPIC Icelandic Challenge!!

The Icelandic Challenge is the crossing of the Vatnajokull glacier - The largest in Europe, by snow kite...

The world's first unassisted crossing of Iceland's Vatnajokull glacier by disabled snow kiters.

Hazards

• Seven volcanoes
• Numerous crevasse fields
• Extreme cold to -40 degrees centigrade
• Wind speeds up to 50km/h

Route

Travelling West from Iceland's most easterly town Hofn across glacial ice to Jokulheim.

A direct route is approximately 100km, however navigating crevasse fields and volcanoes will increase the distance to be kited to 300km.

Taking into account changes in wind direction and speed, the crossing is likely to take 5-7 days allowing for up to 8 hours kiting a day.

There is nowhere to shelter en route so the team will be dragging survival equipment with them

The glacier includes seven volcanoes under its ice-cap; most are active. Pitted with crevasse fields, it has under it an ice cavern system several kilometres long...

With temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees centigrade and wind speeds of up to 50 km/h, an unassisted crossing by snow kite is a daunting task. Now consider that three of the team are disabled, the Icelandic Challenge becomes quite exceptional.  But then, the Icelandic Challenge participants are exceptional people- three outstanding disabled athletes supported by three able bodied buddies. The first of its kind, we shall be filming the preparation and training for the Icelandic Challenge over the coming months. Our aim is to inspire and motivate others, demonstrating that in life all things are possible with DETERMINATION, DRIVE and DEDICATION.

Team members of this awe inspiring challenge are Sean Rose, Tim Farr and Ben Hooper - winter sports athletes who have everything to learn about snow kiting, and Rob Snuggs, James Bateman and Dominic McBride Wilson - their buddies : experienced kiters who have a lot to learn about the preparation required to survive in the snow.

If you've got a spare couple of minutes, we highly recommend checking out the website...

http://www.icelandic-challenge.com

You can show your support to these guys by following them on Facebook and Twitter...

Well done you guys, this looks like it's gonna be one heck of a journey...good luck and enjoy it!