2002 North Pole Expeditions

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Unsupported skiing expeditions
Starting from Canada

The Poles Wearables Expedition                   

The expedition of this site, Tom and Tina got back from their unsupported South Pole edition in February. With Everest and the South Pole completed they set out for the last of the three poles from Ward Hunt Island March 22.

Tom and Tina arrived at the North Pole on May 29, thereby completing both poles back to back (a worlds first ever). Tina also became first woman to complete the three poles aswell as first woman to successfully reach the North Pole unsupported.

www.thepoles.com


North Pole Solo 2002 Expedition                   

Scotsman Dave Mill will do his third attempt to reach the North Pole solo and unsupported. Last year he had to abandon his expedition with just 12 days to go due to difficult ice conditions. Dave carries the legacy of Polar veteran Ranulph Fiennes who after several attempts to reach the pole unsupported had to give up his quest in 2000. Dave plans to start his journey on March 17 and schedules to reach the Pole after 60 days.

The North Pole Solo 2002 Expedition ended when Scotsman Dave Mill was picked up by a ski-plane on Sunday May 19. After having covered 298 km there was not enough time to reach the North Pole. He was attempting to be the first man to walk to the pole solo and unaided. His Pick up position was N85 42' - W68 58'.   

www.northpolewalk.com


Starting from Russia

Polar Orchid Challenge 2002    

Ben Saunders a 24 year old Briton is trying to become the youngest ever to make it unsupported to the pole. Last year he had a go at it together with Pen Hadow, they had to abandon their try after 47 days. This year Ben is on his own.

Ben has postponed his north pole solo attempt to 2003 due to sponsor problems.

www.northpole2002.com



GlobeTag IceTrek                     

Jon Muir and Eric Philips both from Australia are up for an unsupported ski trek to the pole. These two antithesis on the outside share the outside share a passion of remote and natural wilderness. Eric has four icecap skiing expeditions on in his record and Jon a scaling of Mount Everest in 1988 and an unassisted walk across Australia in 2001.

On May 1 at 7.46 am (EST) Jon Muir and Eric Philips became the two first
Australians to reach the North Pole unsupported. The team started out on Mars 5, 58 days and 950 frozen kilometers later they reached their goal. The fact that Jon and Eric made it all the way on their first attempt makes the acceheivement even greater. Congratulations to a great feat.


www.icetrek.com/northpole


The Spirit of Adventure - Operation NorthPole      

Here is another all Australian expedition stating from Siberia aiming for the pole. Tim Jarvis and Peter Treseder have several polar expeditions among them and several desert crossings as well. The big quest is up this time unsupported to the pole.


The expedition was terminated on March 23. Peter suffered from sever frost bite on his left foot and was rushed to hospital. The two were still pleased with their accheviment. "We set ambitious goals," Tim said. "We believe in striving for ambitious goals, not just the achievable ones."

www.spiritofadventure.com.au

 

Unsupported sailing expedition
Starting from Russia

The Compaq Pole II Expedition                               

Alain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer two Belgians are planning the longest Arctic crossing ever. They will travel 2350 km from New Siberian Islands to Ellesmere Island, Canada using only power kites as support. The huge expedition stretches from February to June. They both have several grand expeditions behind them including a 3924 km 99 days cross of the Antarctica.

The Compaq II expedition set out for a truly grand expedition. Heavy ice conditions causing slow progress caused them to first restate their mission, the new goal was to reach the pole and get airlifted back. After a few more days the expedition was abandoned, Alain and Dixie were pick up at 80.27N 134.41E on May 1.

www.antarctica.org

 

 

Supported expeditions
Starting from Canada

The M&G North Pole Expedition 2002                  

Three British women Caroline Hamilton, Ann Daniels and Pom Oliver
are trying to make it to the pole supported with three drops.  All of them were part of the air drop supported all women South pole expedition in 99/00 and also participated the women relay team that reached the North Pole in 1997 where each member spent 8 days skiing.


www.northpolewomen.com


NorthWinds  -  Hitachi Extreme North Expedition       

Khoo Swee Chiow will try to reach the pole supported, guided by Paul Landry of NorthWinds Arctic Adventures.  Departure date is set for  March 17.

Paul Landry and Khoo Swee Chiow reached the North Pole on May 5.
For Paul it the third time he make it all the way, Swee has reached both the North
and South Pole and also made the seven summits (highest mountain on each continent). Congratulations guys!


www.daretodream.com.sg
www.northwinds-arctic.com

 

Starting from Russia

Arktos Expedition                                                                               


South African Mike Horn is under taking a journey of epic measurements. Mike will try to cross the Arctic starting from Cap Arktichevsky , Russia and after that continue on a 20 000km circum navigation of the Arctic along the Polar circle. The expedition is scheduled to take 18 months.

Mike abandoned his attempt to cross the Arctic ocean on April 6 due to problems with his hands. No sensation for several days followed by serious pains made him make the hard decision and call for a pick up. Mike is still planning to circumnavigate the Arctic Circle when he recovers.

www.mikehorn.com

 

Chinese solo attempt                                       


Chinese scientist Liu Shaochuang is attempting to reach the Pole this season. Liu took part in China's first Arctic expedition in 1995, this time he aims to go all the way and alone. The seven-member team covered over 200 km to reach the North Pole from Canada. Expedition start is set for March 1.

Liu returned to Cape Arktichevsky on March 23 due to equipment failure, after that he got dropped of at Borneo and eventually reached the pole on April 27.

 

Snowmobile expeditions
Starting from Canada

Arctic Trek 2000          

Chris Martz and Otto Bakemeier two Americans on snowmobiles to the pole. Check out their dispatches.

www.arctictrek2000.com
 

Scientific expedition

Mission Banquise          

French researcher and arctic explorer Jean-Louis Etienne will travel with the Arctic Ice Pack in a specifically designed Polar Observer. It has been designed to stay upright and stable through difficult ice conditions. The expedition starts in April and will continue until July.

Jean-Louis Etienne completed his Mission Banquise on July 4 after three months aboard the Polar observer. A helicopter from an Icebreaker picked him up. His survey of the polar ice cap was a success.

www.jeanlouisetienne.fr
(site in French)