I did it…I bagged the Geographical North Pole!

Blimey, that was tougher than I thought, despite the extensive fitness/strength training and ice based training Ive been undertaking over the last 18/24 months. My sledge finally weighed in at 13 stones (85kg) when we started, including food, fuel, cooking stoves, pots and pans etc but it was the sea of pressure ridges and open water leads that will be embedded in my memory forever. We were dropped off by helicopter and I chuckled when I saw where the pilot had left us – thinking to myself, those Russians have a sense of humour, as I slipped, slid and hauled my sledge up the 5m pressure ridge in front of us – only to get to the top and as far as the eye could see, were waves of similar ridges, open water leads and chunks of ice stretched out in front of us. Our routine was set from day one, ski for 50 minutes, break for 10 mins then repeat for 8 – 9 hours each day (check out the videos on you tube to see the ice conditions). It wasn’t just the physical challenge though, it was also the toughest psychological challenge I have had to face, made all the more difficult as my Ipod charger decided it didnt like the -38 temperature and so I couldnt listen to music or the inspirational books I had downloaded and my guide could not speak English. Still, I am absolutely delighted to have been to the top of the world, camped at the North Pole and watched the Midnight Sun but I am pleased its over. More musings from a tired and emotional man to follow but thanks to everyone who has supported me in whatever way, it really made a difference.

we are off (nearly!)

This will be my last blog update before I head to the Pole as there is not much mobile phone reception or wifi on the top of the world (yet) so I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has sponsored or supported me in some way, shape or form. I am extremely fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to undertake this expedition and whilst I have personally invested a significant amount of time, money and perspiration in this venture, this would not have been possible without your support, so thank you again. There are always risks in such expeditions but I have done all I can to mitigate these to what I think is an acceptable level but I know from experience that you take on mother nature on her terms and no matter how hard I try, I can’t influence the wind direction, ice floe drift, ocean currents or where hungry polar bears might be but I am committed, prepared and ready for the challenge. We are on a small plane out on Tuesday morning to ‘ice station zebra’ as I’ve called the temporary ice station. We will be landing on one year old sea ice that has been flattened by small tractors parachuted in, guided in by free fall parachuters sent in as an advance party. As soon as we land, we will be airlifted to our start point and the journey will need to begin as we are starting a bit later than we would have hoped due to the poor weather conditions. The good thing is that as we are so high and are coming in from the Norwegian/Russian side, we will get an attempt at the pole this year – unlike those who are currently in northern Canada and who had hoped to reach the pole, most of these expeditions have been cancelled. All things being equal, we will get to bag the pole around the 20th/21st April, fingers crossed. I will be in touch as soon as I can. Thanks again. A bientot……

Yes, I have seen Prince Harry…

It was fantastic to meet Prince Harry and the Walking with Wounded guys on Friday night. Simon Daglish and Edward Parker set up the charity and if you want inspiration in the face of adversity, you can’t get better role models than these four young men. I’m immensely proud to be up here with them and in a small way, be part of their journey. I also have to pay tribute to Prince Harry, he doesn’t have to be here but he is providing visible support and helping to raise the profile immensely. Good for him. The weather has closed in and all flights north are delayed almost certainly until Tuesday. We are keen to get going but there is not much we can do, so we sit and wait for a weather window. I do feel for Richard Parks and Steve Williams as they have such a tight schedule and losing three days will be difficult for them but if anyone can achieve the 737 challenge, it is these two amazing people. I know how tough it is operating in this tough Arctic environment but these guys have got to do this as well as think about Everest too. I don’t envy them.

You must read this – what a challenge!

Last night I met two truly inspirational people, Richard Parks and Steve Williams, who are doing an amazing challenge. Richard is a former Welsh Rugby International and is up here doing the North Pole element of his 7 month race to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s continents and venture to the Geographical North and South Poles (he did the South Pole in December). What a challenge and test of strength, endurance and technical skills. Richard has been joined by double Olympic gold medal winning rower Steve Williams for the North Pole and Everest element of the challenge. In Athens 2004, along side Sir Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Ed Coode, Steve had an epic battle with the Canadians, who were as determined to win as the British. After 2000 meters the British prevailed on the finish line getting their boat in front to win by the narrowest of margins, just 0.08 of a second. Both Richard and Steve are incredibly modest about their achievements and quite unassuming characters. I wish them all the very best for the North Pole and Everest. Richard then has Denali and Elbrus left to do. He has already completed South Pole, Mount Vinson, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Castenez Pyramid. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer, plans to climb the final Summit with Richard – Mt. Elbrus in Russia. If you want true inspiration, follow Richard on www.737challenge.com Outstanding.