Pole to Pole teenagers arrive
ROB GAUNTLETT and James Hooper finally arrived at the Geomagnetic North Pole on Saturday evening at 10pm BST after seven days of dog sledding across sea ice and up and over the inland ice pack.
They have seen Ice (polar) Bear tracks and their Inuit guides gave been shooting Muskox to feed themselves and their dogs!
The sea ice is good, however, it is covered in deep snow and the terrain is made all the more challenging by lots of old broken ice pressure ridges.
They are in good spirits and tonight are sleeping in the Inuit wigwam tent complete with a stove to keep warm!
As of tomorrow, they are on their own. The route back south to Qaanaak will re-trace their steps over the last nine days. Their ETA in Qaanaak will be around the April 27 for a 24hr re-supply before continuing south to rendezvous with Ice Maiden in late May.
The boys send their warm regards and love to family, friends and supporters and say "they couldn't do it without you."
The journey to the Pole has been a long one, not just the last nine days but the nine months leading up to it.
The boy's Pole-to-Pole journey is of course just beginning. They have temperatures as low as -37 degrees to contend with, Ice Bears, Walrus, glaciers to climb and descend with 220lb sledges and the ever present risk of the ice breaking up.
We must all, I am sure be very proud and privileged to know, and for me to work with, two such remarkable young guys.
Their efforts and dedication are a true reflection of that great British spirit of exploration – and they are still just 19 years old!
I am sure you will all join me in wishing them the very best as they begin the challenge of a lifetime, Pole to Pole Manpowered covering 180 Degrees.
Howard Andrews
Expedition Manager
Pole to Pole Manpowered
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Weather for Horsham
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
