In a global first, two British thirtysomethings, Robert McArthur and Poldy van Lynden completed a three month trek to the Artic island of Svalbard, the world’s most northerly inhabited location, using manpower alone. All of this was not only to push themselves to the limit, but also to raise money for the Scout Association charity.

The two adventurers completed the Arch2Arctic [Marble Arch in London to the Artic] challenge two weeks ahead of schedule, with their epic trek taking them cross seven European borders and 5,000 km of land and sea travel including:

  • 25 km run from London to Dover. The equivalent of over a marathon a day for three days.

  • 35 km channel swim from Dover to Calais. The close to 18.5 hour swim has been completed by just 2000 people. Far less than the number who have reached the peak of Mt Everest.

  • 3,500 km bike ride – Calais to Tromsø. They spent 6 weeks in the saddle as they cycled through seven countries.

  • 1,000 km row – Tromsø to Svalbard. They rowed 4 weeks and through three seas to their final destination.

They have now visited Guernsey to meet local Scouts and speak to them about what it was like to undertake a challenge like the one they did – they said they wanted to inspire them to get out into the great outdoors and to challenge themselves. They met a Scout Group on Friday night and then hosted a presentation evening which 150 Scouts and volunteers were invited too along with local dignitaries at the OGH on Saturday.

Robert mcarthur and plody van lynden

Pictured: Robert McArthur and Poldy van Lynden visited the Air Search Hanger on Friday. 

“We just really wanted to challenge ourselves to plan and prepare for something amazing like this, that and we wanted to do something a bit different, we had to go big on our first attempt,” Mr McArthur said.

“I was in the Scouts when I was younger but I wouldn’t say I was born and raised in it. Because we were into adventure it was something that made sense. [The Association] embraces the great outdoors, so it fitted to support it.”

Mr van Lynden added that there was clear symmetry between scouting and their adventure: “The Scout Movement helps young people develop the skills and personal attributes they need to tackle life head on and win. As we have gotten older we have realised just how much of what we learnt at Scouts when we were younger has helped us in our lives and careers. On this trip alone, we have had to demonstrate grit, determination, teamwork, resilience and a real sense of humour. All things that helped us succeed in reaching our goal and all things that we learnt from being Scouts.”

Arch2Arctic hopes to raise over £100,000. The funds raised will give young people from challenging communities the opportunities to develop skills to help them get the most out of life. They also made a number of award presentations at the Scouting evening on Saturday.

Bailiwick Scout Commissioner, Nick Paluch, said: “Adventure is at the core of Scouting and we are so pleased that Rob and Poldy have been able to come to Guernsey and inspire our Young people and Leaders”. “We always try to put on an event each year to thank our volunteers for the excellent work that they do and when the opportunity arose for Rob & Poldy to visit the Island we jumped at it”.

To find out about the expedition please visit: www.arch2arctic.com. Donate now at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/arch2arctic.

Pictured above and top: While in Guernsey the two guests were treated to a tour of the Channel Islands Air Search hangar as part of their visit. Top: Robert McArthur and Poldy van Lynden, with Nick Paluch, centre.