Technical clothing and sportswear brand, Helly Hansen, has announced that it has been selected as the Official Clothing Supplier for the Walking with the Wounded Polar Expedition taking place in March 2011.
Walking with the Wounded Polar Expedition
Walking with the Wounded will see a group of wounded military service men trekking over 400 nautical miles to become the first ever team of war wounded amputees to reach the geographical North Pole. The expedition will raise much needed funds to assist with rehabilitation courses that help the UK’s wounded soldiers find rewarding jobs in the civilian world. HRH Prince Harry is patron to the Walking with the Wounded expedition, and pending royal commitments hopes to join the expedition at some point.
HRH Harry says “What the Walking with the Wounded North Pole Team is undertaking is an enormous adventure of the most challenging order. I’m delighted that their training has been going well so far, and that they feel prepared for the task ahead. The funds that Walking with the Wounded will – I hope – raise, with the public’s support, will make a life-changing difference to injured servicemen and women from our Armed Forces, re-training and re-skilling them for their own challenging futures. I wish the Team the very best of luck.”
Helly Hansen was selected by Walking with the Wounded as a result of its renowned reputation, and unparalleled heritage in protecting and enabling professionals who make their living in extreme conditions on oceans and mountains around the world.
Throughout the expedition, the service men will encounter extreme conditions from freezing winds and miles of shifting ice, to open water, ice rubble and pressure ridges. The intense arctic conditions can quickly cause physical and mental exhaustion, so the need for appropriate kit is of paramount importance for the expedition’s safety and performance.
Helly Hansen has worked closely with the Walking with the Wounded team to supply a full range of technical kit and accessories suitable for an expedition of this nature. In particular, the design team has modified and adapted kit to suit the individual physical requirements of each of the team members. Helly Hansen’s designers had to ensure that everything from design, closure systems and insulation levels were customised to meet the unique challenges of the participants given the nature of their injuries.
The service men will be led by polar guide and Helly Hansen ambassador, Inge Solheim. Solheim has been guiding adventurers to the Poles for over 10 years making him among the world’s most experienced guides. He will be assisted throughout the trip by a team consisting of Henry Cookson and Walking with the Wounded founders, Simon Dagleish and Edward Parker.
Key pieces of Helly Hansen clothing used by Walking with the Wounded include:
Odin Isolator Hooded Jacket – Helly Hansen’s Odin collection is a complete apparel system , designed to protect and enable professional mountain guides month after month in cold, harsh climates. The Odin Isolator is an ultra lightweight packable mid-layer jacket insulated with PrimaLoft for extra warmth in the coldest conditions. A smooth exterior fabric resists moisture and assists the body in maintaining a balanced temperature. The Isolator is finished with LIFA-lined pockets to keep the hands warm and dry.
Odin Guide Pant – Designed for demanding use, this durable mountaineering pant features an articulated fit in a fully stretch double weave construction softshell for maximum breathability.
Verglas Hybrid Baselayer – Designed for optimal performance in extremely cold environments, the Verglas Hybrid Baselayer is constructed with HH Warm, a proprietary combination of Merino Wool (for warmth) and Lifa technology (for superior moisture management).
