Read the blog from our latest FULL North Pole Expedition
|
One of the greatest challenges on Earth. That's the best way to describe this expedition. You may never work harder in your life, yet you will also never feel so much satisfaction. The pack ice that covers the Arctic Ocean is extremely formidable, with countless challenges that await even the most experienced explorers. Not much has changed since Robert Peary and Matthew Henson made this trip in 1909 and there's no better time to travel in their footsteps than during the 100-year anniversary of their monumental expedition. More... |
| Expedition Dates |
2011 Dates: February 28-April 27, 2011
2012 Tentative Dates: February 28-April 27, 2012
| Expedition Price |
2011 Price: Tiered pricing - please call for information. Minimum 2 team members required. Download Application
Daily Itinerary
| Day 1: | Meet in Resolute Bay, Canada. Transfer from airport to hotel. Evening orientation and welcome reception. Start checking gear and reviewing expedition logistics after dinner |
| Day 2-5: | Team training and shakedown outside of Resolute Bay. |
| Day 6: | Charter flight to Eureka weather station, then on to Ward Hunt Island. |
Day 7: |
Depart Ward Hunt Island onto the pack ice. Begin skiing towards North Pole |
Day 8-57: |
Ski across the dynamic pack ice of the Arctic Ocean towards the North Pole. Each day will present its own challenges such as endless pressure ridges, open water leads, and possible negative drift. As you approach the last few degrees your sleds will be lighter and your efforts encouraged by your progress. |
| Day 58: | Upon reaching the North Pole you'll have time to celebrate this monumental achievement before being picked up by helicopter and flown to the Borneo Ice Station. Time permitting we'll spend the night at the North Pole, or possibly the Borneo Ice Station. |
| Day 59: | From the pack ice we'll fly via charter air to Longyearbyen, Norway. Back in civilization, you'll have a chance to shower, eat delicious meals prepared by some of the finest chefs in the high Arctic, and enjoy this wonderful town that is rich in Arctic history, yet has all the comforts of home. The team will take this day to wrap-up loose ends and ease their way back into regular life. |
| Day 60: | Breakfast at Longyearbyen lodge. Transport to airport. Flights home! |
This itinerary is highly dependent on a number of factors and is subject to change. Contact us for a more detailed itinerary!
Qualifications
This is a extremely challenging expedition designed for people looking
for, and prepared for, the ultimate adventure. A resume of your previous
expedition experience is required and approval of the guide is required
for your participation. Full medical evacuation insurance is required.
Please contact us for more details.
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide including
an instructional DVD that explains the importance of each item as
well as gear recommendations from our past participants.
- 1 pair skis and ski poles
- 1 pair skins covering the full length of your skis
- 1 pair snow pack ski boots
- 1 pair extra boot liners
- Sleeping bag rated to at least -35° Celsius
- Bivy sack
- 2 sleeping pads
- 1 team wind anorak with hood (supplied by PolarExplorers - your to keep)
- 1 wind pants
- 1 insulated parka with hood
- 1 warm fleece jacket and pants
- 2 sets synthetic underwear, medium weight top and bottom- 2nd set optional
- 3 sets mitts: 1 regular, 1 overmitts, 1 spare regular mitts or gloves
- 2 pair liner gloves
- 2 hats: 1 lightweight balaclava, 1 ski type
- 2 neck gaiters
- 3 pair socks and sock liners
- 1 face mask
- Sun glasses and/ or mountain ski glasses
- 2 pr. anti-fog goggles
- 1 sturdy small backpack with waist belt and sternum strap
- 2 Thermos bottles or insulated water bottles
- 1 set eating utensils with bowl
- Pocket knife / multi-tool
- Personal toiletries
- 1 pee bottle (small plastic bottle)
- Face cream, lip protection
- 4 carabiners
What's Included:
- PolarExplorers expertise in planning and preparation (call us anytime!)
- PolarExplorers guides (world-class polar guides having guided a combined 40+ polar expeditions & adventures)
- 5-night Polar Shakedown Training (THE best polar training available!)
- PE's popular "North Pole Slideshow" (a ready-to-go PowerPoint presentation about the North Pole, expedition travel, and the polar environment.) We've prepared this for you to use as a stand-alone presentation or to edit/ incorporate into your own presentation about your expedition. Share the North Pole with your friends, family & community
- PolarExplorer's "Polar Prep" DVD covering personal clothing & equipment and tips for training.
- Expedition anorak with expedition patch (yours to keep!)
- Daily online expedition blogs for friends and family back home
- Pick up at Resolute airport and transfer to hotel
- Welcome reception
- All charter air transportation from Resolute and return
- Sleds (quality gear that's tried and true in the polar environment)
- Tents & all group camping gear
- Expedition patch
- All food while on the ice
- North Pole celebration
- Official framed certificate
- Satellite phone call from North Pole
- Communication and safety gear
What's Not Included:
- Airfare to Resolute Bay, Canada and from Longyearbyen, Norway
- Lodging and food pre-expedition in Resolute Bay and Eureka (if weather delayed)
- Personal clothing and accessories and some equipment
- Full medical, baggage, trip cancellation and evacuation insurance (required)
- Excess baggage costs and costs for shipping bags to Longyearbyen
- Additional phone calls from North Pole (battery permitting)
- Extended stay fees associated with weather delays
- Taxes and gratuity
Full Expedition Description
One of the greatest challenges on Earth. That's the best way
to describe this expedition. You may never work harder in your life, yet
you will also never feel so much satisfaction. Not much has changed since
Robert Peary and Matthew Henson made this trip in 1909 and you will find
their feat difficult to duplicate. The pack ice that covers the Arctic
Ocean is extremely formidable, with countless challenges that await even
the most experienced explorers. From temperatures that barely register
on the thermometer (-40 to -60 is possible!), to the constant struggle
of moving across ice that is constantly in motion. At first, your progress
may seem imperceptible. Yet each step forward is progress - unless, that
is, the ice is drifting south as you head north. All these challenges
make this expedition what it is - one of the greatest achievements in
exploration. Not much can top it. Parties interested in the 2010 expedition
should contact the PolarExplorers office as soon as possible for more
details.
