Surrey women complete Arctic challenge

Four women from Surrey have completed an expedition to reach one of the most remote areas of the Arctic.

Sue Sturgeon, Rosie May, Alex Rickard and Vicky Windsor, all from the Guildford area, were part of a seven-woman team who trekked 46 miles (75 km) along the King's Trail in northern Sweden.

The four, plus one other woman from Croatia, managed to complete the challenge battling 56mph (90km/h) headwinds and relentless snowstorms.

Sturgeon, 68, from Puttenham, said: "I really had to dig deep and was outside my comfort zone."

She added: "To trek in this beautiful, unspoilt part of the world was amazing."

The women carried all their own food, clothing, and safety equipment throughout the journey, which took them 124 miles (200km) north of the Arctic Circle.

May, 70, from Guildford, said: "We pulled together and very much supported each other when times got harder.

"I returned so proud of my achievement."

The four Surrey women are all friends who attend the same gym in Guildford.

The expedition, aimed at women over 50, was led by former SAS soldier Nick Wildman.

He said: "I was truly humbled by their sheer grit and determination."

"The achievement stands as a powerful testament to endurance, mindset, and the limitless potential of the human spirit—regardless of age."

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