This 29-year-old could be the first Pakistani to dog-sled across the Arctic

KARACHI: Jehangir Jamali is determined to traverse 300Km on a dog sled over five days across Norway’s snow-covered mountains.

The Economics teacher from Karachi is currently a candidate for the Fjällräven Polar, a competition to enter an international polar expedition. One is selected for the adventure through votes from their region. Winners of Fjällräven Polar will represent their country and fly their national flag in the expedition.

The submission from each region with the most votes is guaranteed a spot. Pakistan falls into the regional category of “the world” which includes countries such as India.

"I want to do this expedition because it would give me a chance to promote and help build a positive image of Pakistan, not just abroad, but also locally to help our own national morale," says Jamali.

You can vote for him here.

 

Jehangir Jamali's profile for the competition. PHOTO:SCREENGRAB

A map of the journey. PHOTO:polar.fjallraven.com

The human body is made to function its best at 37 degrees Celsius. Arctic temperatures can drop lower than -17 degrees Celsius with a wind chill factor pushing it to -30 degrees Celsius. Participants brave the risks of hypothermia and frostbite for the experience of sledding through the Arctic with 20 others and more than 200 Alaskan and Siberian Huskies. Fjallraven covers expenses and provides equipment.

A thrill seeker by nature, Jamali has climbed Colorado’s Mt Elbert, trekked in Gilgit-Baltistan up to an altitude of 18,000 feet and biked down from the Khunjerab pass. He plans on climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania this summer.

"I'm not entirely sure what to expect," says Jamali of the expedition.  "While I've done plenty of outdoor activities in extremely cold weather, the only physical effort I'll be exerting will be dog sledding. Which, if you think about it is nothing but an extremely cold mode of transport."



Physical exertion, he adds leads to your body heating up so you don't feel the cold as much. So less exertion actually means he will be more susceptible to the elements.

In preparation, he has been maintaining his fitness level but trying not to slim down as fat helps insulate heat. “I’m eating anything and everything I want to,” he says.



"It's going to be very different than anything I have ever done before. It will be a test of not just my physical but, more so, mental stamina."

You can follow Jamali’s journey to the Arctic and beyond by liking his Facebook page, Arctic Pakistani, or by following him on Instagram @arctic_pakistani