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The kids and the ice: First American and longer trip than Fiennes
Dec 24, 2004 12: 40 EST
Previously published Dec 17, 2004 19: 50 EST
The boldest SP expedition of 2004, these kids, their mom and two friends are skiing from Hercules Inlet unsupported to the Pole. Already November 23, the gang reported the perils of an unsupported expedition:
“Everyone’s thoughts are turning to food. It's in every conversation. Eric seems to be devouring anything left on the tent floor.”
Longer distance than Fiennes
This has been a rough year at Antarctica. Bad weather and big sastrugi already outed 6 trekkers, and in fact these guys are the only full distance unsupported expedition left.
But that's not all: At the South Pole, they will get a resupply, turn around and kite the 1100 km back - totaling 2200 km as the crow fly. Their distance is even longer than the Fiennes/Stroud crossing in 1992.
First return trip
There has never been a return trip Hercules Inlet-SP-Hercules Inlet on skis. The closest were Marco Cornelissen and Wilco Van Rooijen (NL) in their awesome Patriot Hill-SP-Patriot Hill trip in 2000. They too skied in and sailed out.
If you skip all tractor, ski-doo and dog expeditions, Antarctica has only been crossed by 10 people. They all used kites from start to end. (All of those expeditions were however longer than KitesonIce except for Fiennes/Stroud.) Check AdventureStats and compare all the big names to the current kids and their mom!
The first American and the youngest overall
If they make it, Matty will be the first American to ski unsupported to the South Pole. The kids will be the youngest to ski to the Pole supported or unsupported.
Hilary and Conrad will be the second married couple to ski unsupported to the Pole, and this will also be the longest Antarctica/South Pole expedition undertaken by a Brit if successful without the use of motorized vehicles.
Call today!
The team is currently less than a week from the Pole, and there's a chance to call them for an interview! If you are media, call +881631560491. The satellite phone is open 15 minutes every day 10.45 pm UK time and 05.45 am US EST time.
And here's their latest, live from the ice:
Eric’s live voice dispatch
Images from top to bottom:
1. Eric, 20
2. Sarah, 18
3. Mom, 53
4. 2004 teams routes, Kites on Ice blue double line
Canadian/US polar veteran Matty McNair, 53, is leading daughter Sarah (18) and son Eric (20). Joining the expedition are Hilary and Conrad Dickinson.
A business, two kids, and The Poles - polar guide, Matty McNair does it all. If successful Matty will be the first American to ski unsupported to the Pole.
Matty wrote an excellent book about the first woman’s expedition that she and Canadian Denise led to the North Pole (supported). The other women went in a relay, and Matty/Denise were the only one to ski the entire distance. Yet the other women asked the two guides to step out of the picture shots at the NP arrival. When asked about this incidence, Matty said: It really does not bother me. What is important to me is that I know that I did a good job."
Last fall, Matty guided an all-male group to the South Pole. The most experienced female Polar guide in the world - heading south she must part with her fiddle, pottery and her dog teams. Favorite music: Yanni.
Eric lives out on the east coast, studying engineering at Acadia University, thinking of continuing into design or architecture. However he is much more interested in computer graphics. When there is no wind for kiting, he spends his time in front of his computer designing web sites.
Sarah is the youngest on the team, soon to turn 18. Feisty and keen to try everything, she tried kayaking in the Canadian junior National, ("I swam"). She loves to snow board ("getting up my courage to do the half-pipe") and have ice climbed with mom. Favo music group: Red Hot Chile Peppers.
Conrad Dickinson (49) relishes the challenge of running his own businesses, but his heart is in the outdoors. He especially enjoys encouraging young people to develop their potential.
Hilary Dickinson (51) is from Hexham in the northeast of England. She likes to do triathlons, bike time trials and fell running.
Did you know?
Sarah and Eric are Paul Landry's kids. Paul is currently leading the Perpetual challenge (TransAntarctica, 1600 km). Denise is guiding the current supported team including Hannah and Craig.
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| OneWorld expedition: It's over Jun 3, 2005 | | Vancouver to Moscow - 1 year anniversary! Jun 2, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: The Single ski Weight Watchers Greenland program Jun 1, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: Rain and world record May 31, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week in Review May 30, 2005 | | 12 year old doing well on Greenland ice cap crossing May 27, 2005 | | Vagabond update - Polar bears, 200 candles and ice melting in Inglefieldbukta May 26, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: Polar hygiene, and Napoleon on ice May 26, 2005 | | Contact GEO hits Greenland May 25, 2005 | | Iridium: "Invalid battery - matches found, 0" May 24, 2005 |
| | Arctic wrap-up: Adventure family kites 162 km, reaches halfway point May 23, 2005 |
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2004
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