More than 100 soldiers are braving cold conditions training for a mission that will take them north to Nunavut.
Frigid Forester II is based at CFB Borden and requires soldiers to spend an entire weekend outside.
Soldiers say the training is more about fighting the elements than an opposing force.
Once they complete their training, soldiers will deploy to Resolute Bay, Nunavut in the high arctic.
“It's an opportunity to test their equipment,” said Captain Carrie Pluck. “To make sure their tents are operational and ready to go, that their stoves are going to work, and to get the confidence in their clothing so when they go up there they are confident they are going to be warm and they are going to survive up in those temperatures.”
Master Corporal Corey Pelley says the -17 Celsius temperatures they will endure Saturday night will be nothing compared to the temperatures in Resolute Bay.
“One man will be awake all night making sure the stove and the lantern are filled and running,” said Pelley. “The polar bear watch will normally have a pair of men at night wandering the perimeter watching for polar bears.”
The soldiers will deploy in March.
