'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
Preparing for Aconcagua - December 27th 2012
Given the focus on the Pole, I think I have perhaps been belittling one of my training trips - my effort to climb Aconcagua - the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas. At 6,962m... more »
Getting fat(ter) - December 16th 2012
This training thing really isn't that hard... I am not fat enough and I need to put on 15kgs... I recently went out for dinner with Jock Wishart - the Polar Race organiser and world leading... more »
This is my rifle - December 2nd 2012
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine... Well, it's not my rifle as it goes, but I will be armed throughout my time in arctic with a 12 gauge pump action shotgun as... more »
Injuries - November 16th 2012
People often ask me if I think I am putting my body (and life) at risk by doing this challenge and some of my training trips. I normally say 'no, not really', although to be fair, I have... more »
The 100km race - September 30th 2012
My first official 'ultramarathon' ended with a 3rd place (out of 1,500, albeit most walking) with a time of just over 12 hours. Always being a little competitive, I was a bit annoyed to... more »
Ice climb photoshoot - September 28th 2012
Not quite a normal day in that I packed my full arctic gear and headed to the office. I was asked to do a photoshoot of me training for a promotional video for my company. Unfortunately the team... more »
The return from Elbrus - September 2nd 2012
I have had to ‘surgically’ remove another toe nail using the kid’s scissors I found in my flat… I guess I have to be thankful that this is all I lost following my... more »
The 24 hour run – August 13th 2012
Whilst not entirely ‘essential’ training, I figured it would be ‘fun’ to see how far I could run in 24 hours straight. Loaded up with 4 litres or water, 2kgs of food, 2... 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 >