Posted: Aug 31, 2007 11:53 am EDT
(ThePoles.com) Last summer, Eric's and Lonnie's attempt to cross the Arctic Ocean on skis and canoe was aborted half-way. Now, American Eric Larsen prepares for a different quest: In 2009 he wants to try the 'three poles' (NP/SP/Everest) - in just one year!

In this third part and final of the interview, Eric reflects on the challenges ahead for polar explorers, his expectations for Everest, and his search for the right folks to join him on the upcoming challenge.

ExWeb: Who is coming with you for the three poles?

Eric: “I have thought long and hard about the team that I want to have with me. Having a good well-rounded team is really important to a successful expedition. I am still early in my planning and preparations but here is the break down to date. One of the things I wanted to do was have different team members for each leg, to hopefully reduce the amount of variables and have only one weak link (me).”

“I thought about going to the South Pole alone, but again, I need to focus on the success of the whole. Therefore, I think it's more important to go with a team.”

“For Everest, I'd like to team up with 4-6 people. I am still looking for qualified team members, so those interested please send me an email!”

“As for the South Pole – probably an American, although I’m open to finding someone else. I will make a decision before winter.”

“Finally, I’m hoping to have an international team to attempt to reach the North Pole. While still looking for a third member, there are two other mates I can introduce to you:”

“Mark Wood (UK) worked for Jim McNeil’s Ice Warrior projects. He is currently running his own Arctic Guiding business, called Snowball Expeditions. Very motivated, thorough and probably one of the funniest people I have ever met. He is an all around good guy.”

“Darcy St. Laurent (CAN) is currently a SAR tech based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Great experience. He has already trained with Richard Weber.”

“I am still looking for another person male/female from Scandinavia. Anyone interested out there?”

ExWeb: Many polar explorers fail in high altitude mountaineering, while climbers fail on polar expeditions… How do you prepare for the difference? Will this be your first Himalayan experience?

Eric: “Yes, it will be my first Himalayan experience. (Although, I did manage to stop in Darjeeling last February when I was in India for a lecture. The Himalayas were amazing even from that distance.)"

"Mountaineering is my weakest component by far. So my goal is to get mountaineering and high altitude experience. I am traveling to the Sierras to do some mountaineering training with Kurt Wedberg of Sierra Mountaineering International. If I can get a jump on fundraising, I will travel to South America this winter and climb for a month there, hopefully finishing with Aconcagua. Then next summer I'll give Denali a try. I’ll also do a lot of ice climbing back in good ‘ol Minnesota.’"

“If I am able to bring my own small team together, I would like to give us as much time as possible. That means allowing ourselves a second summit attempt if necessary.”

ExWeb: After the Arctic and Antarctica, you may find Everest pretty crowded – how do you feel about that, and the big egos, the commercial expeditions dictating their own laws, and some ruthless behaviors?

Eric: “I’m not a big fan of crowds or poor expedition ethics. One of the things I like about Arctic travel is the complete isolation. If I had more experience, I think I would consider the north route, but given my time frame, it just doesn’t seem realistic.”

“I’ve heard the same rumors that everyone else has. Still, I believe in people trying to achieve their personal goals - whether it be climbing Everest or going on their first weekend camping trip. My goal would be to try to travel with as much integrity as possible, pack out all my trash and try to be respectful of the place and people.”

ExWeb: What’s your take on the current state of Arctic exploration? Of all teams departing from Canada and C. Arktichevski this year, no one reached the Pole unsupported…

Eric: “Honestly, I think Arctic explorers are becoming an endangered species. The nature of Arctic ocean travel is changing because the ice conditions are changing so dramatically. Scientists predict that the Arctic Ocean will be ice free by 2040 in the summer time. What then? Lonnie and I already canoed at the North Pole.”

“I believe it is still possible to travel to the NP unsupported. I think the major reason no one made it unsupported this year, was that no one really wanted to or had bigger goals than just the Pole (Landry, Dixie and Alain).”

“The real question, I think, for the next decade is getting picked up at the Pole. Will Borneo still be able to operate and can flights from Canada find places to land?”

ExWeb: What are the real challenges for polar explorers today?

Eric: “The biggest challenge today for polar explorers is to come together as a group to help stop global warming. What will we do with a melted Arctic? Believe me; it’s fairly difficult to pull a sled over open water. The Arctic Ocean is such a vast and pristine wilderness, but is also very temporary. This region has defined our lives for so long that is our obligation to help create awareness of the issue and promote ways in which we all can reduce our carbon footprint.”

“I think the other challenges are more intrinsic. A big part of exploration is not necessarily finding the place, but finding your self in that place. So the first challenge for every polar explorer is accomplish a personal goal. Another big challenge for polar explorers is in story-telling. I think it is important for people to go to these places and tell other people what they see – especially in terms of the amount of melting that is occurring. The story of an authentic Arctic journey is a useful tool to engage world wide audiences about the reality of Global Warming.”

ExWeb: Tell us about 'Private Eric' – what do you do when not out guiding or on expeditions?

Eric: "You name the job and I have had it: bartender, teacher, chimney cleaner, carpenter, house keeper, bicycle mechanic, expedition base camp manager, just to name a few. I am an environmental educator by training so any expedition (or presentation) that I do has to have an educational and environmental component."

“For the past year, I have been able to support myself by giving lectures about my North Pole journey and Global Warming. Living the dream so to speak. Of course, I having been living in a tent on the shore of Lake Superior all summer, but hey, any night in a tent is a good night as far as I’m concerned.”

“I haven’t been full-time dog musher in two years now. I miss it quite a bit, but it is very difficult to train for Arctic trips and be out training sled dogs for 10 hours a day.”

“Grand Marais, MN is a very small town (population 1,300) so you kind of have to make your own fun. Still with Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains and a huge wilderness area (the Boundary Waters Canoe Area) in our back yare, it’s a perfect place to play outside.”

“In my free time, I’m usually out bicycling, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, canoeing or camping. I like to train as well so there is always the tried and true ‘tire pulling’ in the off season. I also like to read and write. Have a beer at the local pub. I lead a fairly simple life.”

Last year Minnesota residents Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen attempted to cross the Arctic Ocean via the North Pole for the second time. They started on May 2, 2006 from Ward Hunt Island (Canada), and reached the NP on July 1. During the trip, the skiers arranged a resupply, which was airdropped at 87 degrees north. Originally they planned to continue from the Pole until they reached Greenland - but called off the attempt two days after reaching the Pole.

Being a "summerly" trip, the team carried their loads on canoe-sleds, which they used to paddle across frequent open water leads.

On a previous attempt in 2005, the expedition was called off after 3 weeks due to bad conditions, including deep snow and a steady southerly ice drift.

Now, Eric Larsen plans to ski to both Poles and to climb Everest within one year - the triple-header taking place in 2009. Eric is still looking for a fourth member to join the NP trip, as well as mates for Everest.

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