Ten pupils drawn from five Edinburgh comprehensive secondary schools are preparing for an expedition to Arctic Greenland next March following their selection by charity The Polar Academy.
The three boys and seven girls, all between 15 and 17 years-old, now face eight months of physical training for the 10-day, 100km expedition.
The pupils, from St Augustine’s, Liberton, Gracemount, Forrester and Tynecastle High schools will face temperatures below -20C.
They will need to haul 45kg sledges as they navigate across sea ice and mountain passes on cross country skis.
The pupils will be accompanied by three expert guides, a doctor and a teacher, the pupils will camp on the snow and ice and conduct scientific experiments for school projects.
Departing Scotland on 25 March next year, it will be the second such expedition by the Polar Academy.
It was founded in 2013 by expedition leader Craig Mathieson.
The Bo’ness based 46 year-old is a veteran of several expeditions to both the North and South Poles and two years ago was recognised by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society who appointing him their first ‘Explorer in Residence’.
The trip is supported by Tiso, the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, Bergans of Norway, CBS Ltd and City of Edinburgh Council.
Julia Sanderson of Gracemount High School is one of two pupils selected for the expedition from her school.
She will celebrate her 17th birthday on 7th April while journeying on the arctic ice.
She said: "I’m not very outdoorsy and was both very surprised and proud to be selected by the Polar Academy. I feel both nervous and really excited about the training ahead; I’m definitely wondering what it will be like to pull a sledge on skis for 8 hours a day.
"Without a doubt it’s going to be a truly amazing experience and I would love to see the Northern Lights while in Greenland.”
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