Extreme athlete and property auctioneer Paul Fosh has called time on his winter shenanigans after completing his latest adventure in the Arctic wastes amid life-threatening sub-zero conditions.

Fosh, owner of Newport-based property and lettings business Paul Fosh Auctions, has returned home to Monmouthshire after enduring almost unimaginable conditions while taking part in the annual Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra.

CHALLENGE

The 57-year-old successfully completed the 500km (about 315 miles) trek pulling all his gear, food and clothes in a pulk – a challenge against both him and the elements.

The event started from the village of Overkalix, in the region of Norbotten, Sweden, on Sunday, March 3 and finished 10 days later.

Fosh has competed in a range of ‘ultra’ events over the years but says: “That’s probably it for me now. I’ve done what I set out to do and will now take it a bit easier. These events take a toll on you personally, family and others around you and I’m not getting any younger.”

The extreme athlete, who has experienced highs of ultra-success and some deep lows of disappointment in previous years having to pull out due to injury and illness, was determined the initials DNF (Did Not Finish) would not be chalked up against his name this time.

He says: “The temperature was in the positive instead of minus so that meant that the deep snow, which is much easier to travel over when it’s frozen, was very soft and powdery.

“Pulling the pulk over, or as it happens, through – that was like hauling it through sand. Very draining and demanding. That went on for the first day and half which meant having to wear show shoes, which I don’t usually wear, and which alters your gait and walk, made it doubly difficult.”

MINUS 10

But he adds: “Happily, temperatures soon dropped to near minus 5, minus 10, which made it a little bit easier and better for getting the pulk to slide over the surface.

“I think my age and the sheer torment, agony and relentless punishment of the training and the events themselves has caught up with me now. I was absolutely elated, ecstatic, to have been able to complete this one and to come out on a high. I gave everything and made sure that there was no unfinished business left out there in the Arctic waste.”

Fosh has spent his life in property and is aiming to raise thousands of pounds for Wales-based homelessness charity, Llamau, by completing the event.

He says: “Llamau is an incredible charity. If you have five minutes, please take a look at their website and  work that they , it is truly life-changing.”

Donate to Paul Fosh’s fundraising page HERE.