All - Am overwhelmed by the quick response from Jess followers. For those of you who do not follow - the link is http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/ Jess is 20 years my junior and is already a long way through her epic voyage - a true testament to courage and determination.
Great to get feedback from Graeme who has already been to the Magnetic, and the Geo north Pole - Graeme - my headings have been changed accordingly! Any tips you have during my preparation will be greatly appreciated!
There has been a lot of interest in communications and the weather. The temperatures I refer to have been in Celsius. The lowest recorded temperature at the North Pole was -68 degree Celsius = -90.4 degree Fahrenheit! Cold in any measurement scale! I am not sure whether that takes into account wind chill, but using average wind speed of 15 mph would make -40 (same in both C and F) feel like - 71F! Crikey!
The primary risk from this is of course frost bite which will freeze any part of uncovered skin, especially the extremities (furthest from the heart - fingers, toes, ears etc). I will be very wrapped up!!!
On the subject of communication, I will be taking an Iridium satellite phone that will allow me to contact the safety teams to provide location updates and also, in case of emergency (or not, fingers crossed). I am not sure about HF radio devices, but I am meeting several tech companies over the next few weeks to discuss. I will post what I will be taking, once all finalised.
Polar bears will be a risk, but we have to remember that it is their environment and not ours, and humans can be more of a risk to them (especially as their habitat is shrinking due to climatic change). We will report all sightings, and be trained in Scare tactics to get them to move away and lose interest.
I loved the reference to Jack London. I am a fan and enjoyed his books in my youth - he probably has something to do with my sense of adventure! I will list other authors that scintillate the taste buds later, but if you have time, read "The Worst Journey in the World" by Apsley Cherry-Gerard. You will need time however! Its huge!
Must do some work - thanks again for all the posts!
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In April 2011 I am taking part in a race to the Magnetic North Pole. Pulling sleds of 75Kg over 320 Nautical miles of sea ice in temperatures of - 40, this is probably the toughest race on earth. LIFE IS A RECIPE - IT'S THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
Progress map - Click on "See Bigger Map" below picture for details.
Raising for Macmillan
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Richmond Park 10k - April 3rd
Lymington RNLI 10k - 9th May
Ranleight 1/2 marathon - 16th May
Robin Hood half Marathon - 12th September
Windosr 1/2 Marathon - 26th September
Original Mountain Marathon - 30-31 October
Lymington RNLI 10k - 9th May
Ranleight 1/2 marathon - 16th May
Robin Hood half Marathon - 12th September
Windosr 1/2 Marathon - 26th September
Original Mountain Marathon - 30-31 October
2 comments:
Hi Rob, Graeme Joy, well done on the changes mate. I'll help if I can so ask me whatever you want. I see you are thinking of comms options - have you been to the website 'ExplorersWeb.com'?
If not then its worth a look as they have great comms packages for hire or sale with sat phone, PDA, cameras & solar power stuff. The good thing about these guys is they really know their stuff & have supplied comms equipment to many expeds in the Atctic, Antarctica, Himalayas etc. Cheers, Graeme.
If you do sight polar bears, take pictures if you are safe from them. Many times polar bears will just be looking for food and if they see you they should just run away from you. So keep the food tightly wrapped while camped.
Comms - the satellite phone is a priority, the rest would be a luxury really.
Frostbite - Yes, very important to wrap all extremities as best you can. Especially toes. Many toes can be lost to frostbite. Battery operated socks would be good for that. :)
That's all for now.
Philip
USA East Coast
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