The Pole Star

“It is treacherous,tortuous,tumultuous and turbulent. Adjectives fall short for this roller coaster of an adventure,” says Yudi,as he shares an instance from the episodes which can provide enough fodder for a ‘drama in real life’ book series. “The expedition to the Arctic is not like a passage to the valleys of Kashmir,Ladakh or even Switzerland. This gorgeous terrain can be unforgivingly deceptive behind its pristine landscape and can pose serious risk and challenges,” says Yudi.

Mission Arctic is the Indian leg of the Mission series that are shot with the ‘Mission Armies’ in a docu-drama format. However,for the first time,the team has tried a new course and hand-picked contestants from different walks of life. “The final contestants were selected after a rigorous set of auditions that tested their physical endurance and mental stamina,” says Yudi,a self-confessed adventure junkie. From a fashion journalist,brand manager and a biker to a sales executive,businessman and social worker,the show comprises four boys and girls. “The girls had higher endurance levels,” he says.

Subjected to freezing temperatures and tough situations,the finalists will live like Samis,the natives of Arctic,and try to survive without modern tools,cooking and eating whatever they can get their hands on and sea-kayaking in freezing waters. In the final task,they will race on dog sleighs to hoist the tricolour flag on Arctic’s highest peak. For the show Yudi also had to go through rigorous training in the extreme conditions of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. “We had to brave freezing temperatures and climb 4,800 m above sea level. The terrain was harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful,” Yudi adds. Back from the shoot,he’s looking forward to a road trip to Spain and Italy.

Mission Arctic starts on June 9 and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm on National Geographic