The North Pole is a geographical concept; a frozen point on an ever-moving slab of sea ice forming and moving with the seasons.
Sadly the Arctic is warming as global oceans heat up and melting sea ice reveals darker water which absorbs more solar radiation. Higher temperatures are melting this frozen landscape with record lows of sea ice being recorded year upon year. The quality of the ice is also in decline as thicker ice, built up over long periods of time, is replaced by thin layers which are more mobile and unpredictable. This dynamic, shifting ice is a nightmare for polar expeditions which could soon become impossible to complete.
Trekking to the North Pole is a trip of a lifetime. Icetrek are specialists in guiding trips of this type as well as providing the specialist equipment needed for such an undertaking. Their North Pole Last Degree Ski Expedition heads off on April 4th 2019 and places are still available. Starting at Longyearbyen in Svalbard the 10-day trek covers 112km across pressure ridges, open leads, sastrugi and ice rubble … all against a backdrop of freezing conditions and 24-hour daylight.
The €41,690 price tag includes all equipment, helicopter transfers, exert guiding, expedition food, on-trek accommodation and training. Rated as a Level 4 challenge, participants must be fit enough to pull a 45kg sled against drift in temperatures as low as -30°C. Unsheltered exposure could be as much as 6 – 9 hours each day.
Icetrek Expeditions is a world-leading polar adventure travel company, offering trips to the Arctic and Antarctica. The company was founded in 1999 by Eric Philips who is an International Polar Guides Association Master Polar Guide and one of IPGA’s founding members.
Images courtesy of Icetrek
Water Earth Air 