Sponsored by
Roundhay explorer's arctic adventure
It sounds like mission impossible but one determined Leeds explorer aims to crack it.
Roundhay's Phil Thompson, will set off in search of the formidable Northern Pole of Inaccessibility in the Arctic Circle in February.
It is a 750-mile 90-day journey into the unknown that no one man has yet conquered.
Each member of the 20 person strong team taking part in the Ice Warrior expedition, led by experienced adventurer Jim McNeil, will pull a pulk (sled) or qajaq (hybrid canoe-sled).
They will face hungry polar bears that will be on the move and looking for food, as well as icy water where ice mass has melted.
They will each burn around 8,500 calories a day as their bodies attempt to cope with temperatures of minus 40 degrees, and continuous physical activity.
But perhaps the most important part of the challenge is collecting data for NASA's National Ice and Snow Centre.
The team will be expected to measure ice depths for scientists to create a cross section of the area that will help with monitoring climate change.
Satellite and land equipment currently monitoring the density is unable to differentiate between ice and snow.
Asked if he will complete the challenge, Phil, a former ski instructor and Territorial Army officer, said at present the odds were against them.
"We don't know the state of the ice, we are not fit and won't have all our equipment in place," he said.
"The biggest risk is really ourselves.
"If we start out and the ice is all right, then it's pretty much a given that we will get there.
"There's nothing there to really stop us."
Planes will be at the ready to airlift casualties and Phil is confident that anyone can do the trek.
"The human body is amazing at adapting to its surroundings," he said.
"If one of us was to cut ourself when we were out there, the cut would not heal because our body would be too busy keeping warm.
"Likewise, once we have acclimatised to the extreme temperatures, other than suffering from frost nip or frost bite, our bodies will learn to cope."
But the real test will come in January when the group spends time at a training camp at the heart of the Arctic winter in complete darkness.
Jim, who has spent the last 25 years exploring the area, said: "You really don't know how people are going to react to the conditions until they get there.
The expedition will cost each participant 35,000.
* To sponsor Phil email: phil.thompson@ice-warrior.com
Ice Warrior is still recruiting, to join the team go to www.ice-warrior.com for more information.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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