'Adventure is just bad planning' - March 31st 2013
It is with Amundsen's quote that I start my final blog before my own attempt to walk to a pole. Whilst I doubt my effort will be as celebrated, I hope it will be as successful. In the final hours before getting on the plane, I am very aware of the scale of the challenge ahead - far harder than anything I have ever attempted. Given the risks, challenges and dangers ahead, I also remind myself of a great quote from Shackleton 'Better a live donkey than a dead lion'.
Packing on an industrial scale
The amount of planning kit to manage is truly staggering. I have 285 individual items to take with me. After months of careful planning, research and shopping I still found myself packing the day before and even shopping for things I hadn't considered. Who would have thought 24 hours before flying out I would be shopping for a square topped egg timer? Answers on a postcard if you can guess why...
Tracking my progress
You will be able to see my progress on the Maps and Tracking page from April 4th (start of the race). Using a GPS tracker, my position is automatically updated every 4 hours. It's a good safety feature, but also useful for people back at home wanting to see how I am getting on! If you are looking at it, don't panic if I haven't moved for a while - chances are there is bad weather and I will be wrapped up warm in the tent! I will also be trying to make the odd Twitter (@MusingTraveller) and Facebook update. This isn't as easy as it sounds and involves a few link ups using the satellite phone!
Support the charity!
It is great to see so many generous donations coming in! This really does mean a huge amount to me and the charity. I would love to be able to get to £25k before I go, so I would hugely appreciate your support by donating on my JustGiving site.
'I am just going outside and may be gone some time'... 6 weeks!
Alas, I will finish as I started, with a poignant quote from Lawrence Oates who died during the infamous Scott expedition. It serves as a reminder of the difficulty of such challenges and that more experienced men and women have suffered a tragic fate on the frozen seas and summits of the arctic and antarctic. Be under no illusion though - I fully intend to come back in one piece!
Thanks for all of your help and support! Wish me luck!!!
Paul
Updates
Sand running and volcano climbing - November 29th, 2013
Why am I going so slowly? 8kph? Really!? My feet are on fire. There is sand in my shoes. This hurts. There are people staring at me. I am sweating more than I thought was possible. Hmm... This... more »
Intercontinental running - November 3rd 2013
A half marathon in Joburg. Have a shower, get on a plane, 16 hours later, get off the plane, run a half marathon in Washington DC. This style of life is becoming the norm and trust me...... more »
Facing up to the Marathon Des Sables - September 8th 2013
The (other) 'Toughest footrace on Earth', as described by the Discovery Channel. 7 brutal days of running 250km, through soft sand, in temperatures exceeding 50c, whilst carrying about... more »
Altitude, heat and hoodlums - August 25th, 2013
Move aside Thames Path with your variety of interesting historical monuments, your traffic free running lane and your shady tree laden shores. I am moving to Johannesburg, city of gold, hills... more »
Part 2: Cruising to Polaris - April 11th 2013
The weather was amazing as we left Resolute for our epic journey ahead. It was ‘only’ about -17c, no wind and beautiful sunshine. For the next few days, we would be pushing forward... more »
Part 1: Journey to the top of the world - April 6th 2013
The nostril hairs and my eyelashes started to freeze up – something that has only happened a few times in my life – typically at about -25c. The worst part was that I was still a two... more »
'Adventure is just bad planning' - March 31st 2013
It is with Amundsen's quote that I start my final blog before my own attempt to walk to a pole. Whilst I doubt my effort will be as celebrated, I hope it will be as successful. In the final... more »
Counting Down... - March 13th 2013
100s of KGs of kit, hundreds of individual items, food to be purchased in Canada, guns and ammunition to manage and sponsorship/fundraising efforts to sort out - the lead in to the North Pole is... more »
Success on Aconcagua - February 9th 2013
100kph winds, -40c, deep snow... I had it all in my fight to get to the summit of the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemisphere's at 6,962m (22,841ft). Whilst telling everyone... more »
How cold is 'cold'? - January 6th 2013
One of the most common questions people ask me is 'how cold will it be at the North Pole?', to which I normally reply 'could be anything from -25c to -55c... and with windchill,... more »
Maps & Tracking
You can explore the full route to the North Pole and follow Paul’s progress with live maps that will plot his position each day as he progresses towards the pole more >
VSO
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries (www.vso.org.uk). The Fire and Ice Challenge is aiming to raise £50,000 for VSO’s secure livelihoods programme more >