Ann Daniels: Solo for the North Pole
Feb 25, 2005 17: 20 EST
Previously published Feb 9, 2005 16: 34 EST
Action is building up for this season's North Pole. This year will see another attempt for a solo first female: Ann Daniels will give it a go and ExWeb caught up with her for a brief introduction chat before she leaves London for Moscow on February 16:
ExWeb: So how have you prepared for this Ann?
"This is not the first expedition I have been involved in and I have learned Arctic survival as a result of past expeditions and specialized training with survival experts in Norway. I was also part of the first British all female expedition to the South Pole, the first all women's expedition to the North Pole and have guided various last degree expeditions to the North Pole."
It's a risky venture, last year Dominick died trying. Why do you do it?
"Whilst any expedition involves certain risks, this expedition is taking place after many years experience in the polar regions and safety is of paramount importance to me. As well as my past experience and knowledge of the Arctic I will have a full back up support team at home."
"My satellite telephone means I can stay in touch with my base manager and Cerpolex and I will transmit by an Argos beacon daily. I will also carry an EPIRB. I am fully trained in firearms, will take with me an immersion suite designed by Borge Ousland for open water and thin ice and as my sledge is made from Kevlar, it can be used as a ballast or boat if necessary. This solo expedition is a long held dream and I am looking forward to the challenge and the journey both within myself and on the ice."
How will you deal with the open water and Polar bears?
"If there is a large expanse of open water or particularly wide lead, I will find a way around it and won't try to cross any large areas of open water. If the leads are small, then I will either swim across with the immersion suite or will paddle across lying on top of the sledge."
"I am fully trained in the use of firearms and have practiced shooting on many occasions."
How close will you be to the other teams and at what point will you call for a resupply if you must?
"If I have equipment problems or my food is contaminated then I will call for a resupply and the expedition will become supported."
"The expeditions on the ice this year shouldn't be near to each other as one expedition will be using kites and the other is a team event, which means I will probably be travelling much slower than either."
Logistic details?
"I will fly from London to Moscow on 16 February, and the next day fly to Khatanga, located (72º N 102º E), which is a four hour flight from Moscow. Khatanga is a village of 3000 inhabitants and will have temperatures of between -50 and -30 C."
"We will then have 2, 3 or even 4 days at Khatanga, weather dependent and fly by MI-8 helicopter to Sredny (79º 30' N 91º E) which is a military base, where we will spend one night before flying to the drop off point at Cape Arktichevsky (81º 16'N 95º E). I will then set off on my own for the pole aiming to arrive before the end of April when the season closes."
Born on July 24, 1964, Ann was part of the all female North Pole relay expedition, led by Matty McNair in 1997.
In 1999/2000, she skied to the South Pole from Hercules Inlet in an all female expedition with Rosie Stancer-Clayton, Pom Oliver, Zoe Hudson and Caroline Hamilton (1 resupply).
In 2002, Ann skied with Caroline Hamilton to the North Pole from Ward Hunt Island (Canada) with resupplies.
The North Pole has only been reached unsupported by one woman (Tina Sjogren in 2002 from Ward Hunt Island).
If successful, Ann will be the first woman to ski unsupported solo to the North Pole. Only two men has skied solo to the North Pole, Norwegian Borge Ousland in 1990 and Britt Pen Hadow in 2003.
Image of Ann Daniels, courtesy North Pole 2002 Ltd.
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