http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk News from www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/North_Pole_Report_-_Part_1/24 <p>At 7:32pm local time (GMT + 1 hour) on the 14th April, I arrived at the North Pole. We had taken full advantage of the excellent, but extremely cold (-60 deg C), conditions to ski in excess of 70 miles to the pole in just over 4 days, ie 15-20 miles per day. This compares to the 8-12 days that we had scheduled for the trip and the 10 days that a polar-experienced Slovak American team would take from exactly the same drop-off point and time. Whilst official records are not kept, we understand that we have now joined a group of approximately 350 people that have reached the pole unsupported (no outside help) and unassisted (manhauling all supplies), which for context compares to over 3,000 successful summits of Everest.<br /> <br /> I am in the process of documenting my experiences, based on memory and the diary that I kept whilst in the Arctic. Below is a link to the first instalment which can be found on the site under &quot;Progress&quot;. I hope that you enjoy reading it and / or scanning the photos.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/index.php/north-pole-report-part-1/24">www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/index.php/north-pole-report-part-1/24</a></p> <p>Jo<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <br /> http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Recovering_in_Longyearbyen_(21_4_09)/23 <p>We are now back on terra firma in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, North Norway (human pop = 1,800, polar bear pop = 4,000+) - a bitter sweet feeling following the incredible experiences in Camp Barneo originally and our subsequent journey to the North Pole. The Arctic is an alluring and addictive environment, in part because of its uniqueness and perversely perhaps, it\'s harshness. We are truly privileged to have experienced it. My appetite is sated. At least for now. I will be writing a comprehensive review of my successful ski to the North Pole on my return to the UK, which will hopefully coincide with the healing of the tingliness and sensitivity in the tips of my fingers - a very mild form of frost-bite, which should recover fully, but which makes typing an unpleasant experience in the meantime. So, at this stage, a few thank yous and photos (below). First, a sincere thanks to all of you that have contributed to the charities that I am supporting ;- Mind and HDA. To date, we have received pledges for c.&pound;20,000 which is a significant step towards my target of &pound;100,000. For those that wish to donate, but have not yet had the opportunity, please visit my website www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk, which has details of how to donate on-line and by post. Second, thanks to my team-mates, Lance and Kevin, who were supportive throughout and enriched the experience no-end, and to Jason, our team-leader and my tent-buddy, who mentored, motivated and guided us to the Pole in a remarkable 4.5 days. My thanks too to my sponsors, Profeet, Iridium Finance and 4 Corners Relocation (cheque due!) and I look forward to your continued support. Finally, thanks to all of the messages of support and congratulations, before, during and on reaching the Pole. Now for Antarctica and the South Pole! Jo </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img height=\"375\" width=\"500\" src=\"http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/imgs/image/Jo_northpole.jpg\" alt=\"Jo at the North Pole\" />&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p><img height=\"375\" width=\"500\" src=\"http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/imgs/image/Jo_pulling.jpg\" alt=\"Jo on the way to the pole\" /></p> http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Camp_Barneo_(17_04_09)/22 Well the good news is we managed to get picked up yesterday and are now back in Camp Barneo (i.e. in bigger tents!). The bad news is our flight back to Longyearbyen isn\'t until / is tomorrow - depending on how you look at it! Whilst I\'m looking forward to getting back to civilisation I\'m also a little sad at the thought of the leaving this amazing place. I\'ve therefore decided to spend my last day on the ice exploring the area with our guide, Jason. http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Almost_there...(14_4_09)/20 Well I\'m pleased to say that whilst communications have been made difficult by the extreme cold (the windchill has made it the equivalent of about -50 C) we have made excellent progress and are now just 13 nautical miles from the pole, which is a little over 20km.&nbsp; This is much better than we had hoped for at this stage but we\'ve put in a couple of really big days covering more than 12 miles each. That said if you followed our tracks they would be a zig zag as we\'ve had some huge water leads (some as much as 150m across) and ridges to deal with meaning the actual distance skiied is much further. However, the cold aside the conditions have remained excellent, with minimal wind and good visibility. It\'s tough but everyone is well and in great spirits and with the drift now working in our favour the plan for today is to ski for half a day then make camp and get an early start in the morning. If our luck holds this means we will be at the North pole this time tomorrow - wish us luck! &nbsp; &nbsp; http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Made_it!_(15_4_09)/21 We\'re here!! With conditions still good (a little warmer but with a stronger wind not really feeling it) we changed our minds and decided to go for it -&nbsp; OK&nbsp;so probably not a big surprise! We covered a massive 13.5 nautical miles and arrived at the North pole a little after 7.30pm tonight (Norwegian time). We\'re all pretty exhausted and it\'s been a tough slog but we\'re very pleased to be here. We have made camp for the night and will spend the morning taking photos and working out our next move as we weren\'t supposed to be here until Saturday... http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/The_Journey_Begins_(12_4_09)/19 Having flown up to Barneo on Friday morning we were then helicoptered in to our starting point. As planned, we decided to do a couple of hours before making our first camp. Saturday was therefore our first full day of hauling. We made good progress, skiing for about 9 hours and covering some 9 nautical miles, which is about 10 miles. This means we now have 39 miles left to reach the pole. Conditions are excellent, with clear blue skies, no wind and great snow but it is pretty cold at -35 C! Time now to do it all again... http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Longyearbyen_(9_4_09)/18 Well I am off to a good start as I have successfully managed to catch both connecting flights, which is no small achievement for me.&nbsp; After a brief overnight stay in Oslo, we have now arrived in Longyearbyen (LYB) in Svalbard, Norway, which is in the Arctic Circle and the base for most expeditions to the North Pole. After a frantic afternoon of preparing, checking and re-checking kit, our sleds have been packed, weighed and checked in. For once I am content to be middle of the pack with a sled weight of bang on 50kgs. Lance\'s is 55kgs and Kevin\'s 45kgs, so some re-distribution to be done when we land, oh and all of the fuel to add too! Departure for the 2.5 hour flight to Camp Barneo (60 miles from the Pole) is at 9am tomorrow. Post landing, we will meet up with Jason, the final team member, and will have one final kit check prior to being helicoptered to our start point (which will be determined by ice conditions and drift). The plan is to do a few hours hauling tomorrow afternoon, before hitting it hard on Saturday. LYB is sunny and relatively mild (-12 C), Camp Barneo will be at -40 C so it will no doubt be a shock to the system but I can\'t wait to get started. http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Ready_or_Not_(6_4_2009)/17 Ok, so the text from Jason (our guide) on Saturday stating that (i) we are leaving for the ice 2 days earlier than scheduled, and (ii) that the current temperature at the Pole is -40o C, somewhat brought everything into sharp focus. Our original return flight from Camp Barneo (ie 70 miles from the North Pole) has been cancelled due to lack of demand and rather than risk putting too much pressure on us to reach the pole in 48 hours less, or be stranded on the ice for 48 hours more, the right decision has been taken to simply bring forward our flight from Longyearbyen (in Svalbard, north Norway) to Camp Barneo by a couple of days. The downside is that this gives us two less days to prepare. The good news is that we are ready regardless (subject to the inevitable last minute panics over the next couple of days) and the adventure will start that much sooner.&nbsp; I\'m off to buy last minute provisions tomorrow, with anti chaffing materials and medication being a priority. Thank you for all of your support so far and the extremely generous donations from many of you - they are all much appreciated. &nbsp; &nbsp; http://www.mypolarchallenge.co.uk/news.php/Final_Preparation_(22_3_2009)/16 With less than 3 weeks before I leave London for the Arctic on 8th April, I am both apprehensive and excited in equal measure. Physically, I feel fit and prepared. With 10 days of training left (and only 6 more tyre pulls!) prior to a week\'s taper (ie rest) before departure, my resting heart rate is as low as I have ever measured it (42) and my weight the highest it has been for several years (178lbs). An ideal combination which I am confident will enable me to cope with the strenuous physical exertions and the anticipated weight loss. Over the next few weeks, I will be concentrating on initiating my goals of raising awareness and money for my chosen charities;- Mind (Mental Health problems) and HDA (the Huntington\'s Disease Association), and making final prepartions with regard to my equipment. Thank you again to everyone that has supported me to date and please do take the opportunity to make a donation to my chosen charities - all donations are extremely appreciated.