| Sponsors
& Endorsements |
| "[Handling huskies]
is a specialist area that makes huge demands on people, dogs,
critical gear and skills alike. The fact he [Gary] travels
alone is testimony to his ability combined with the magical
bond between him and his huskies." |
| Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE, July
2003, Patron |
 "Every
manufacturer is out there to tell the world they are developing
the best products. The fact is, few are, despite their hype.
Products I choose to use face deeply challenging circumstances
over long periods of time. My gear leads a tough existence keeping
the dogs and I safe. Ultimately everything blends, enabling
us to operate at the best of our ability.
"Here
are companies I consider first choice specialists, recommend
and consider the best available, worldwide."
|
|
|
|
|
"Running 1,400 miles in four winter months of polar dark, mostly at minus forty below zero, clothing protects me like fur does for my dogs. Through an entire Arctic year we experience a temperature range of 81°C (30°C above to minus 51°C). I consider my footwear special too.
"I'm on my feet training for long periods of time for journeys where my fitness is paramount. I've survived near death situations because of my fitness. It's saved my life. I don't like injuries that prevent me from training. I haven't had a running injury for years since using Sorbothane innersoles. Don't expect any training shoe to give you injury free training. Buy what running shoe you want, they all come with innersoles fit for the bin.
"My Sorbothane innersoles absorb foot impact shock from all my activities whether I'm walking in London, training in the park or hammering over frozen sea ice. Sorbothane innersoles help insulate to keep feet warm too, even in brutal cold.
"You might not want to train through an Arctic winter but we all want to be injury free to gain healthy well-being benefits from whatever activities we choose."
Sorbothane feature in Gary’s diary,
published articles and newspaper coverage:
|
|
|
|
“With Gerber knives
and axes I’ve skinned and butchered cows, sheep, horses,
moose, bears, caribou, seals and gutted monster sized Arctic
char. These knives and axes are versatile. Edges remain sharp
and handles feel good in the hand.”
Gerber feature in Gary’s diary
and published articles:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rosker feature in Gary’s diary:
|
|
|
|
"I work in extremely isolated wilderness locations. The terrain I cross is very dangerous and the wildlife has a tendency to eat people.
Throughout Arctic summers I want stability and sure footing for major river crossings, else one slip and I’d be swimming. Hanwag boots with their Vibram soles give me that sure footing.
It doesn’t take an egghead to work out I have a severe eye for gear quality. Over the years I have worn out vast amounts of outdoor equipment in some, how can I put it, very difficult circumstances. Hanwag, to me, appear to be a company interested in raising the bar for adventure footwear. The attention to detail in boot design and the materials used proves it. Get your boots on and tell them where to go".
Hanwag features in Gary's Diary:
|
|
|
|
|
Seattle Sports features in Gary’s diary:
|
|
|
|
Camp feature in Gary’s diary
and published articles:
|
|
|
|
Heatmax features in Gary’s diary and published articles:
|
|
|
|
GSI feature in Gary’s diary
and published articles:
|
| |
|
“During Arctic summers I share river and lake water
with my dogs, wolves, bears and foxes who can pass on bacteria,
viruses and parasitic cysts. My First Need portable water
purifier removes all that and any doubt.”
General Ecology feature in Gary’s diary
and published articles:
|
|
|
|
"Arctic winters bring 24-hour darkness. The dark can
be so black it's like being nailed inside a coffin. Sometimes
I can travel by the light of the moon and swirling northern
lights. Sometimes not. That's when I use my Petzl head-torch
to penetrate millions and millions of wind blown glittered
flaying ice shards to watch the dogs' footings or changes
in ice conditions. Below the tree line I watch out for fresh
wolf and moose activity. On sea ice I watch for polar bear
prints or their kills and am careful not to come between adults
and cubs."
Petzl feature in Gary’s diary:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I zip essentials I want thawed into fleece pockets close to my body. I wear CIBA Focus DAILIES AquaComfort Plus one-day contact lenses. They’re incredible and I never know they’re in. When sleep is out of the question I wear NIGHT & DAY for 30 days of continuous wear. Spectacles would freeze to my face.
At all times in that zipped pocket I maintain enough body heat to keep thawed a week's supply of lenses. The remainder I keep on my sled. Here every lens in strips of seven tiny-sealed pots freezes solid. On shifting sea ice I'm able to wear contact lenses for extended periods. The thought of being woken by ice breaking up under my camp and scrambling blindly out of water always gives me the creeps."
|
 |
 Ciba Vision feature in Gary’s diary,
published articles and newspaper coverage:
|
|
|
|
“Have you ever considered what life would be like without your eyesight? Fear of losing my own has had me consider precautions and I’ve sought out the best options available. I wear CEBE Spot sunglasses so my retinas don’t burn out.”
CEBE feature in Gary's published media:
|
|
|
|
"My Multimats have experienced a yearly temperature range
of 81ºC (30ºC above to minus 51ºC). In summer
my dogs and I cross hundreds of rivers, confront bears and
deal with wolf packs. Arctic wildlife tends to eat what it
pleases, including human beings. In perpetual polar winters
it’s cold enough to spit ice cubes. Brutal cold has
a tendency to kill. In a tent I want sleep. I want insulation.
I want warmth. I am demanding and use only gear that tolerates
the torture I inflict upon it. Multimats do all this."
Multimat features in Gary's diary and
published media:
Gary appears on Multimat’s Expedition Range mat insert packaging
Download Multimat’s 2010 catalogue (6MB) |
|
|
|
" I
use a Vertex Standard VXA – 150 Pro V ground to air VHF
transceiver powered by AA batteries. It’s light, easy
to use and can potentially save my life. If I’ve an aircraft
charter re-supply planned I can talk directly to the pilot.
In a dire emergency situation I can transmit a blind (first)
broadcast with a pre-arranged call sign on frequencies monitored
by local low-level flight pilots and community aerodromes or
scan military flight frequencies. No message copy locally and
I transmit specific details on international distress frequency
121.5 MHz for overhead Boeings. By law these pilots must monitor
this frequency." The Wireless Source
/ Vertex Standard feature in Gary’s published articles:
|
|
|
|
"My dogs don't carry me. Skis or Tubbs snowshoes enable
me to generate heat and stave off hypothermia while traversing
coastal tundra or Mackenzie Delta snow where I train. Snow
here is deep snow, sometimes chest deep."
Tubbs feature in Gary’s diary and
published articles:
|
|
|
|
“Never trust a satellite phone. Sure enough handsets change but guaranteed reception does not. It remains dreadful, not very good if you want your life to depend on it and since ACR Electronics, Inc. make the best personal location beacons available worldwide I carry my ACR MicrOFix at all times.”
ACR feature in Gary’s media coverage:
|
|
|
|
"Throughout perpetual winter polar dark at forty below
zero Energizer AA lithium batteries power, without weakness,
devices like my emergency strobe and GPS. The light of my
head torch enables me to find a way over good or bad ice,
check my dogs' paws, break up dogfights and feed."
Energizer feature in Gary’s diary and published media:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In tablet form, Bayer's Drontal Plus removes tapeworms,
hookworms and whipworms from my dogs."
Bayer feature in Gary's diary:
|
|
|
|
UKJuicers feature in Gary's media coverage:
|
|
|
|
"The last job I
do inside my tent is to smear my face with Bag Balm. This antiseptic
ointment protects potentially vulnerable frostbite areas such
as my nose, cheekbones, ears lobes and finger ends from splitting.
Importantly it contains no water and doesn't freeze to body
parts. As well as protect it encourages fast healing for minor
cuts and scrapes on both the dogs and myself. Very little is
needed for it to be effective and once applied it stays on.
Anything else I'd consider as nothing more than a cosmetic." |
Bag Balm feature in Gary’s diary and published media:
|
|
|
|
"Mumm's sprouting
seeds guarantee me fresh essential minerals and vitamins. In
the dead of winter and no sunlight the Crunchy Bean Mix or Sandwich
Booster seeds sprout ready to eat within a few days and taste
great on bread I've freshly baked. They're fun to grow too."
Mumm's feature in Gary’s published articles:
|
|
|
|
|
Homecraft Rolyan feature in Gary’s diary:
|
|
|
|
"Clamcleat
guy rope adjusters are one of those attentions to detail that
help make Arctic life run smoothly. Setting up camp alone in
horrid winds at forty below zero warrants survival mode. Simple
to use with big mittens on Clamcleat guy rope adjusters enable
me to secure my tent to anchor points, fast. Arctic storms can
keep me tent bound for days. Guy ropes fitted with Clamcleats
don’t buckle or budge."
Clamcleat features in Gary’s diary:
|
|
|
|
|
Harcostar features in Gary’s diary and published articles:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snowpaw features in Gary’s diary:
|
| [<<
more] |
Other Useful Links |
|
|
|
Asthma UK
Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the
health and well-being of the 5.1 million people in the UK
whose lives are affected by asthma. We work together with
people with asthma, health professionals and researchers to
develop and share expertise to help people increase their
understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives.
"As a 5 year-old kid I was diagnosed as asthmatic. I
can still remember how frightened I was when I couldn’t
breathe but once prescribed with an inhaler my condition stabilised.
I try to do what I can to raise awareness for Asthma UK by
helping others with asthma recognise their own potential.
You shouldn’t be afraid to go out there and live the
life you want. Don’t ever let anyone tell you your dream
it too big. Just plan and get your shoes on.”
Asthma UK feature in Gary’s diary,
published articles and newspaper coverage:
To read more about Gary click
here.
|
|
|
|
Pet Travel Scheme
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) enables dogs travelling
from certain countries to enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine
provided they meet the requirements. |
| [<<
more] |
All
photographs copyright © Gary Rolfe