Back in 2011, Prince Harry made a trek to (or close to) the North Pole as part of an awareness-raising campaign for wounded soldiers, specifically the organization Walking with the Wounded. Harry almost froze! But he was in good spirits and the campaign was very effective and Harry earned some high marks for his charity stunt. Several months ago, he announced a new charity stunt – he was going to walk to the South Pole. And he’s inviting anyone who wants to come, basically. Which is why Dominic West and Alexander Skarsgard are going to take part!
Actor Alexander Skarsgard is to join Britain’s Prince Harry on a charity trek to the South Pole.
The True Blood star will lead a team of wounded American soldiers in a race against the royal’s British rivals and a third troupe from the Commonwealth nations led by The Wire’s Dominic West.
The teams will cover a distance of around 208 miles (335 kilometres) and those taking part have already started a gruelling training routine.
The Walking With the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge, which will raise money for charities to help wounded soldiers, will take place in November (13).
Is it okay if I think that this is amazing? It IS amazing. It’s really, really cool. Dominic West and Alexander Skarsgard get lots and lots of bonus points for taking part in this really amazing charity stunt. They’ll raise awareness and lots of money. And you just know Alex and his team of Americans will win. Alex is a VIKING. He knows how to do this.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Alex was a soldier, right? It makes sense that he’d take part in this – and it is an awesome idea 🙂
Yeah, Sweden had national service when Skasgard was 18/19, I think (it’s a shame more countries don’t, IMO).
The Viking will do well in the South Pole! 🙂
I agree. My friends who’ve had to do national service have really appreciated it. The only one who didn’t was my friend who’d gone back to Iran for his father’s funeral (a government official who’d been imprisoned by the new regime) and was arrested and made to serve 2 years to the government who’d killed his father. Yikes!
Is it just for men?
Reply to the person who asked if this was only for men…This is third major expedition Walking With the Wounded has undertaken & the first w/female vets. Margeaux Mange will be repping the US and Kate Philip the UK. While I’m also super excited about the hotness here the bigger story are these wounded vets who are making the walk too. They are the superstars. Check them out at http://www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk
@HWW – I meant the national service in Sweden 🙂 But thanks anyway!
National Service (as in joining the military) is great in countries like Sweden that don’t go to war all the time. It’s horrible in countries like the US where it’d be like “What, you’re 18?…Off to Afghanistan/Iraq/etc with you!”
Now I do wish there were some sort of program where everyone had to volunteer (help build houses, pick up trash, work at battered women’s shelters, etc). Just my opinion though.
Alyce
If everyone were forced to volunteer to build shelters and whatnot it wouldn’t be volunteering by definition. It would be mandatory.
18 year old men in the USA do still get a kind of enlistment card saying they can be called upon if needed. A predetermined draft in a way. No more birthday lottos.
And that system doesn’t work for all nations. We all know the good stories, but there are also bad stories of young adults being forced and terrified of training or combat or crimes committed while in training. Dr. Ruth’s story is a good example of the good and the bad sides of this. I love her so much. Also, most of those nations are just better off than the USA in many aspects so to say 1 thing makes it better is unbalanced.
And I think it was here a while ago there was an article how Kesha fled her country to avoid service and was asked to return, but never did. Can someone conform or deny that?
PHarry deserves a lot of credit for not only doing active service but for raising money and awareness for veterans’ issues. It is this that finally made me forgive his stupid ass for wearing a nazi uniform to a costume party. So I basically think it was a stupid stunt by someone who still had some growing up to do. I think he is a great guy. And a smokin hot guy, to boot. Good job PH!
hwaleswatch: Your link comes up with nothing! Have you not started yet?
He’s just so cool! He makes me happy and proud to be scandinavian 🙂
I would totally get stuck in a wilderness with those two boys. West could share my sleeping bag (for warmth, of course) and ASkars can share the stash of whatever Swedish liquor he has in the 27 flasks he will undoubtedly have strapped to his body. It’ll be a blast. I’ve got my D of E – I could totally do this.
*rushes off to find hiking boots and a Kendall mint cake*
OT for Fanty (sorry, ladies): just replied to you on the Love Hewitt thread.
I’ll be there once I’ve shed the Fantlings.
And Harry would have the weed.
Great point. Plus, both Harry and ASkars do enjoy drunken nudity. And you know Dominic can teach these boys a lesson or two when it comes to hard living.
I say we make this a CB field trip.
You’re only saying that because your DofE trumps my Young Enterprise. And – buggery of all buggeries (no pun intended) – Anna’s giant magnifying glass trumps, well, anything I’ve got. Bah.
Random side note: when I did my silver, my school sent us up a Welsh mountain called Lord Hereford’s Knob.
Sixer, are you planning to make full use of my endless love for you, and thus get access to my magnifying glass of Asgardian size and power? Well played, my dear 🙂
Rumbled!
We might need that magnifying glass in addition to Fanty’s DofE skillz: it’ll be many degrees below on the way to the South Pole, not at all Lord Hereford’s Knob on a nice sunny British day.
Can you at least read a map? If not, never mind. I’m sure we’ll be fine with a giant magnifying glass and our iPhone GPS, right?
I can read a map – not as well as I can read men’s undergarments, but enough to get to base camp. That do you?
Good enough. After that, we’ll just follow the drunken football chants and trail of clothing.
Oh my. Ice hotel frolics. They’ll have a nice ice hotel to stay in overnight, right?
I call the bearskin by the fire!
I plan to sit and shiver delicately until all the gentlemen come and offer to warm me.
I cannot wait to get ASkars and Harry loaded and make them dance to this haunting work of aural magnificence that Miss Jane just sent me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE
I would totally believe that our viking already has it on his iPod, btw.
OMG WHAT?!?!?! Am I already high?
Also apparently I need to learn Morse code ASAP, maybe then my horse will listen to me.
I think this is what she calls “Monday Night at Thornfield.” Now, which one is Miss Jane?
This explains why I’m so sick on Tuesday (for realz, sadly). And she’s the fox, of course!
I am having a little trouble packing for our trek, ladies. My pack doesn’t seem to close so do I leave behind the open-toe stilettos or the strapped-patent high-heel Mary Janes? I just never know on these trips.
Is the open stiletto strappy? If so, keep that. We can always repurpose the long straps.
Hmm, good point – except that I have the thigh-high lace-ups, of course. I mean, it’s not like I am going somewhere without those. And the corsets. And the rope – I think we are set for straps.
Okay, brass tacks – I was in the Girl Scouts so what I bring by way of skill set is my knowledge of how to make a swing-dance skirt.
And, of course, the cookies.
I think the ginger prince is already bringing his special batch of baked goods. But we could definitely use some DUDC for refreshment!
Can I please come too? I live in Finland so know all about surviving in cold places and I was a girl guide. I also know some really great vodka-drinking songs! Please…..
Bex – I like everything you said right there. I think we have jut elected you to lead our little expedition. You have a flag, right?
I have a flag.
Do you have a flag?
No flag, no country… in the rules I’ve just made up.
I have a flag http://images.football365.com/12/06/800×600/ThisisRussia_2779948.jpg
Please wrap me in it after offing me with Miley’s hammer, before burning my remains on a pyre and spreading the ashes over the Highlands.
Yipee. I have 2 flags – this way ladies!
@Anna – I gave you some remedies over on the Miley thread (although having to click on that again may make you sicker.) That is a pretty impressive flag.
@Bex – two flags? Have a care, we are easily distracted. I suggest we employ the buddy system. Don’t worry, we all have our own set of handcuffs.
Aww, our Adonis is trying his best. His hands are magic. (Also I am being treated with mustard plaster and boiled eggs on the outside, and a vodka/ lemon juice/ fresh farm honey concoction on the inside – we dont stock dark liquors in a Russian household).
The flag is big enough to hold me AND the Princeling of Asgard, should he decide to go with me out of loyalty.
On Miley: I actually listened to that song 200 times in the last week. Love it. Then I saw the stills from the video and it was enough. Never watched the vid itself, dont know if I will. So, so far I am thankfully unscarred by that …whatever it is.
I love Dominic West. Hiddles, take note: this is how you conduct yourself as an Old Etonian without getting up Sixer’s delicate little nose.
I could do a great deal with Dominic’s twisty mouth. Or his twisty mouth could do a great deal with me. Either way is good.
PS: big up to Askars too. The Walking with the Wounded program is brilliant. Some of those guys have climbed Everest. Everest!
The Matterhorn’s tougher 😉
Haha! Oh, but honestly, Anna – you should have seen some of these guys, with limbs missing or barely able to leave the house due to PTSD. Climbing Everest! I give Harry props here because he does a LOT in raising awareness and funds for these guys. And he can relate: properly relate.
Oh I absolutely agree! I wouldnt have made it to the base camp, unless I was airlifted there. I’m just throwing some shade at ASkars, just for fun 🙂 Esp bc he seems to be a clear favorite for the win here.
I will be rooting for Dominic!
They’re both winners (and hot)!
Yep, they’re all winners here. No losers in this equation.
Just when I thought I couldn’t love ASkars any more, he’s goes and does something like this. Nope. Can’t even stand all the feels.
My ovaries my burst!! 🙂
My ovaries may burst!! 🙂 They are both gorgeous
I dont know if I’d bet against the ginger prince quite so fast…
it’s a really cool thing they’re doing, good on them..I knew there was a reason I liked Skarsgard (well, other than being hot)
Very nice. I wish them luck. Being hot never hurts, either.
Alex was in the Swedish navy and is friends with Marines from his days filming Generation Kill, so this makes sense.
I just imagine Alex and Harry getting batshit drunk and naked when they finally make it…..
And if they do, and it’s not yet confirmed that Alex is actually taking part in the trek, there will hopefully be video:
“The executive team behind ITV hit Harry’s Mountain Heroes will produce the documentary – Twofour’s Bridget Sneyd and Melanie Leach will executive produce, and producer/director Alexis Girardet will capture the adventure every step of the way. The series was commissioned by Katy Thorogood and is set to air in 2014.
In addition to the two-part series for ITV, Twofour has signed a deal with NBC to produce a 1 x 60′ show for US broadcasting to air in 2014. Alongside highlights from the ITV series, the special will include exclusively shot material of the US team. The deal was brokered by Anthony Appell, Head of Sales, Twofour Rights.”
http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/harrys-south-pole-heroes#.Ui8Ppn-OnSg
This seems to confirm he’s a definite part of the team
http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/southpole2013/2013/09/10/team-us-training-in-la-with-alexander-skarsgard/
@freya: According to the website that’s working with him on this, they’re still waiting for the official press release but I’ll take this as a yes.
It’s a good thing, this is.
One of the Marines who had a small part in Generation Kill was killed last summer in a high profile attack. Very sad.
http://www.forcerecon.com/GySgt-Ryan-Jeschke.htm
Great endeavor!!!
This is awesome!
Alex did his mandatory army service and he’s Swedish so a trek in cold conditions should be a picnic to him. I’m not sure he’ll equip with the liquers though; I bet just some akvavit would be enough for his refreshment 🙂
But yeah, this is cool thing (och kämpä på Alex!).
If it were possible for me to love Alex even more, I just fell more in love with him. This is amazing and I hope they all raise a lot of awareness and money for the cause. 🙂
Hot, I hope there are lots of pics! And seriously, well done to them for devoting time and real effort to such a great cause.
This is SEXY. Men roughing it the wilderness, mountains, whatever, banding together, going it against the odds, surmounting all obstacles in their path–and for a good cause, too?? This is sexy as h*ll to me. I am aroused just thinking about…Kudos to Alex and the others involved. Big props.
P.S. Don’t forget that not only did Alex do hardcore military time, he also spent several months doing hardcore training with the US Marines for Generation Kill. You know who else would be SO awesome at this Walk with the Wounded excursion? Henry Cavill. That dude is pretty but he’s strong and tough as h*ll.
Henry comes from a military family with several decorated members, no delicate flower there despite the pretty boy looks.
@ LAK
Exactly. And I love that unlike some actors who are running around all sad and complaining that people “only see me as a handsome face”, Henry just SHOWS that he’s more than a handsome face.
I also think Cumberbatch could do good with this adventure. He comes across as a bit awkward but he’s got some steely reserves as evidenced by the fact that he survived an intense kidnapping, and also is not shy of extreme sports.
I’m going to have to stop coming to CB if people keep bringing up these white British dudes in EVERY SINGLE POST. Even in posts that have NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.
@ Jen
Wow, what a racist and bitter comment.
Did it escape your attention @Jen, that the 3 subjects of the post ARE white? Plus, 2 of them (Dominic West and PHG) ARE British?!
LAK, I think she meant Cavill and Cumberbatch who really weren’t attached to the post in the beginning.
But I’m thinking that with j.eyre and t.fanty all gone on the expedition, we should show up at Thornfield and keep Mr. R. company.
@Maureen:
no, it’s not racist. Not even close.
Otherwise, I think it would be a fantastic idea for Cavill to be a part of something like this. It would go an awfully long way to wash the taste of kaley Cuoco out of the collective public consciousness.
I was referring to Cavill and Cumberbatch, who are always mentioned in posts that dont’ have a damn thing to do with them. If someone had mentioned Hiddleston I probably would’ve thrown my computer out the window.
This is old school sexy, isn’t it? Only REAL men need apply.
His Royal Highness Prince Hot Harry and ASkars together in the South Pole should have those people who keep track of polar ice melting concerned, because that area is going to be exposed to a lot of extreme hotness at one time.
This is really great and inspiration of all involved.
Great for him!!! Really like it when actors/other celebs do stuff like this.
Skars AND Prince Hot Ginge? Yes, please!
Dom AND Alex = Awesome.
“I’m honored to be working and training alongside these soldiers to raise money and awareness for this very worthy cause,” Skarsgard said in a statement issued by Walking With The Wounded.
The U.S. team was thrilled to get him. “He is a great asset and has bonded really well with all the team members during training,” added the U.S. team’s polar guide, Inge Solheim…
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/09/10/skarsgard-of-true-blood-to-race-prince-harry-to-south-pole/2794457/
Alexander skarsgard and dominic west! Those fine ass men! Daaammmn!
Just one more reason I love and admire this man! And his teammates all have very inspirational stories…one wounded soldier is even blind!