ALEX | HIBBERT

You would be forgiven for thinking that half the population have skied to the Poles if the newspapers are anything to go by. I’ve been doing some reading and here are some surprising facts:

No-one has skied to the South Pole unsupported from the true coast (e.g. Berkner Island) since 1999, having first been achieved in 1993. Only 17 people in total have done so.

No-one has ever reached the South Pole in winter

No-one has ever skied to and returned from the South Pole fully without support from the true coast

No-one has ever fully traversed the Antarctic (water to water) fully without support

Only 2 people have crossed the Arctic Ocean without support

Only in 2007 did a team manage to reach the North Pole in the winter night, after 84 days

The North Pole was not reached fully without support until 1994

Any other staggering ones I’ve missed, let me know! I’d like to think it’s a call to arms for those who believe anything is possible. It most certainly hasn’t ‘all been done’.

cc Steve Cadman

13th-15th November this year sees the return of the annual Explore Conference at the Royal Geographical Society. The purpose is for over 100 leading field scientists and explorers to provide contacts, inspiration and advice for budding adventurers and expeditioners. I will, as for last year, be appearing on the Polar Panel and will be around generally throughout the weekend.

It’s a great weekend and well worth a visit if you are hoping to develop present expedition plans or get ideas for new travels. Plus, my former lecturer at university and budding TV Star George McGavin (from Land of the Lost Volcano on the BBC) will give the opening lecture on Friday night. Awesome bloke.

The recession seems to have hit expedition fund-raising even more this year. There are precious few expeditions due to take place and almost nothing with any novelty. A few repeats of the highway between Hercules Inlet and the South Pole. Two Swedes will attempt that route, despite a website that refers to 670 arctic miles? Ben Saunders will attempt a speed record in the lead up to his speed attempt North next season.

The most exciting venture is that of mountaineers Cecilie Skog, Rolf Bae’s widow, and Ryan Waters. They will attempt an unsupported route from Berkner Island on the true coast to the Pole and then beyond. Curiously, despite making the extra effort and expense of starting from Berkner, they plan to travel no further than the Axel Heiberg glacier, many miles short of open water. Importantly, they will travel without kites – unusual in recent years.

Meanwhile, strong worded response to Ben’s post on the difficulty of polar expeditions from Mikey Barnes:

‘The BBC have managed to cheapen, c**p and p**s all over the North and South Poles with their idiotic fakey ‘exploration’ docs, firstly driving to the pole with Top Gear and now Fogie [sic] and crew supported by back up trucks and film crews. This has had the rather sad effect of making the trek to either pole look no more challenging than a cold walk in the park or a drive to the corner shops. Both of these programs are supported by dozens of ‘hidden’ fixers experts and agents – the dishonesty turns my stomach. Programs like these have the opposite effect to intended – stealing and sucking all of the adventure, magic and mystery from these places.’ Thoughts?