Andy Cox

Andy137

Andy Cox

I'm 53 years old, married with two grown up "kids" and enjoy most things in life especially liver & onions.



Africa » Tanzania » North » Mount Kilimanjaro July 28th 2010

Long time held ambition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro... read more
Kilimanjaro 002
Kilimanjaro 005
Kilimanjaro 007

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 13th 2008

Well it’s my last day with Hannah, Malfoy, Zaki and Tovak so feeling a bit subdued as I harnessed them up for the last time. The cabin last night was really nice with a fantastic view out of the window. Michael and Gurt from the team gave Torbin a rest and cooked fresh salmon from the lake for supper. It was delicious. As it had snowed during the night, Linda used the snowmobile to make a path for us across the lake, but unfortunately she got stuck so Torbin had to help her out. You can’t beat dog power! However, before long we reached the base camp again where the dogs are kept. I unharnessed them and they were led away and I have to confess I felt a little bit emotional as I said goodbye ... read more
Malfoy
Tovak
Zaki

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 12th 2008

Now getting quite proficient at harnessing the team and even Tovok acknowledged me for the first time this morning when I came to harness him to the sled. Really starting to bond with the dogs; their total devotion to pulling the sled is phenomenal, you can’t help but respect them. Also you have to admire their knack of being able to pull something like 200Kgs and crap at the same time! I couldn’t do it; well not intentionally anyway. We travelled a long way today and part of the journey was from a frozen lake up a very long steep hill. It was knackering as at times you have to get off and either help the dogs or run behind and in the deep snow with the heavy boots on it was quite exhausting. Still the ... read more
Sledding into the Sunset
Huge Icicles
One night in a Kennel

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 10th 2008

After feeding the dogs and eating breakfast it was time to summon up the courage to go for a Number 2. The toilet is of course outside and is basically a hole in the ground. That’s not really the problem; it’s more the temperature in there. At -15 degrees and with the floor like an ice rink it’s not the place to take any reading material with you. When the cold air hits your bare legs and exposed derriere there’s a strong incentive to get this activity over and done as quickly as possible! And then it’s a case of washing your hands in the snow as water is precious. This results in you having a pair of nicely frozen hands that you then have to thaw out. The harnessing was becoming easier although I did ... read more
Huts in the Mountains
A Tad Cold
Making a Fire in the Snow

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 9th 2008

Awoke and helped prepare breakfast while the some of the others fed the dogs. We harnessed up the huskies and set off by about 10 O’clock. Harnessing the huskies is quite a challenge as you have to make sure that you put the correct harness on each of the dogs and also ensure that you put the lead dog on first (and take them off last at night) as they keep the other dogs in order. If you put one of the rear pulling dogs on first then all hell breaks out. To harness dogs you have to unclip it from the securing line and while holding on to his or her collar pull them to your sled while they try to attack any other team dog you might pass on the way. Trying to get ... read more
Candle Power
Holdall with unique Odour
Heinz 58?

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 8th 2008

Day 1 After taking off like bat out of hell the huskies finally settled down to a steady trot as we initially travelled through a picturesque forest with its snow covered fir trees glistening in the sunshine and then down over a frozen lake. Snow started fall and it started to get colder, in fact cold enough that I had trouble talking that is unusual for me. I had just started to relax when the dogs turned suddenly to the right - and I didn’t. But remembering the first rule of sledding, I hung onto the sled and as I fell off pulled it over with me. I quickly stuck my snow anchor in, righted the sled with my foot on the snow brake, pulled the snow anchor out and was on my way before the ... read more
Chopping the Dog Food Up
Starting to get Colder
Slight Hold Up

Europe » Sweden » Norrbotten County » Kiruna March 3rd 2008

It was an ambition I'd had for many years so on the 21st February I embarked on an adventure to take a team of Huskies across the Arctic Circle. As there was no electicity, never mind web access, I had to save my experiences in a hand written notebook until my return. I arrived at the base camp after a flight via Stockholm to a small town called Kiruna located in northern Sweden well inside the arctic circle. Kiruna is a mining town which is why there is an airport located there. By the time I arrived it was getting quite late so it was a quick introduction to the rest of the team before climbing into my sleeping bag for the night. The following morning we had breakfast before being introduced to our Husky team. ... read more
Base Camp
Introduction to the Teams
Gettinig Ready to Leave




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