The South Pole season is still in full swing, but some are already turning their gaze north. The Gear Junkie has a great story today about Tyler Fish and John Huston who are training now to attempt to become the first American's to ski unsupported to the North Pole.
The article discusses that training and the obstacles that they'll face along the 475-mile course that is expected to take 55 days to complete. Aside from the the extreme cold, lows can reach -60º F, they'll also have to contend with polar bears, negative drift, and wide expanses of open water that will have to be navigated around or swum across.
The guys are hoping to raise $100,000 for the Caring Bridge Organization, which provides free websites for to connect friends and family during times of medical crisis. You can find out more about the expedition at the team's website at ForwardExpeditions.cOM.
The North Pole season for expeditions traditionally takes place each year in March and April, when the ice cap is still frozen, and there is still relatively solid ground for the explorers to cross. Unlike the Antarctic, there is no actual ground under the ice at the North Pole, which makes for a very different experience for the men and women who attempt to cross it. In addition, that ice shifts, making the conditions change dramatically from year to year, and even week to week. That shifting ice is also the cause of negative drift, which can have the explorers moving backwards, even while standing still.
2009 is already shaping up to be another great year in the world of adventure and exploration. This should be another great expedition to follow.
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