Posted: Oct 07, 2009 01:34 pm EDT
(ThePoles.com) Arctic explorer Jim McNeill has launched a new hunt for volunteers to make Arctic history; this time to ski to the North Pole of Inaccessibility.

He explained to ExWeb’s Correne Coetzer where this Pole is, which route is planned, what he requires from his teammates, their training program and more.

ExplorersWeb: You are planning an expedition to the North Pole of Inaccessibility. Why this Pole?

Jim: The pole was originally established by Sir Hubert Wilkins in 1927 when he traversed the Arctic Ocean for the first time.

After extensive research I found no record of this pole ever being reached (despite what Wikipedia says). In addition to that I was working with NASA funded NSIDC scientists in 2005 and asked them to use modern technology to re-establish the position of the furthest point from land – GPS and Satellites.

Lo and behold it would appear that the original position left out a number of islands off of the Russian coastline, which makes the new position almost 200 km different than the old.

ExplorersWeb: Where is this Pole positioned?

Jim: It is now positioned at 85°47‘N, 176°9‘E – we are going to announce this position.

ExplorersWeb: How does your route plan looks like? Distance?

Jim: The teams will spend approximately 20 days on ice pushing the route as hard as conditions and wellbeing dictate.

From Isachsen on Ellef Rignes Island it is 792 statute miles. So with ice shift I’m expecting something like 820 statute miles.

ExplorersWeb: You will pass the Magnetic Pole? Is this the 2009 position?

Jim: Using the current model (International Geomagnetic Reference Field - IGRF) the pole will be at 85°26’N, 134°06’W in Spring 2010 - according to British Geological Society.

They are however changing the model in November and so we’ll see where this puts the Magnetic Pole then. We may well be the first expedition to verify this new method of calculating the position and the first to reach the actual pole since about 2001, I think.

ExplorersWeb: When does the expedition start?

Jim: On ice 16th February 2010.

ExplorersWeb: How many team members will you have and who will they be?

Jim: I want a minimum of 4 on each leg with an assistant leader and myself – so far I have 8 people so we have some spare capacity. Apply now!

ExplorersWeb: What requirements do you have for someone who wants to apply to go with?

Jim: Grit, determination, fitness, resolve, compassion, empathy, diplomacy, realistic, flexible attitude; all those words which together make up what I call a “good egg”!

They need to be available for polar training in Svalbard in January and February and be able to commit to 20 days on ice between February and May.

They also need to be able to commit the time and effort to raise the necessary sponsorship £22,000 which includes almost everything. We train them to go and get this and provide the materials, guidance and the media interest which justifies the sponsorship.

ExplorersWeb: You will divide them in 4 teams. What distance will each team ski? More or less, weather and ice permitting, how many days?

Jim: 20 days and ideally 200 miles although the reality for each team will be quite different.

ExplorersWeb: You will reach the North Pole of Inaccessibility with the forth team of skiers. Will the others also have a chance to get there - by plane?

Jim: Unfortunately no. Each team member has to adopt a flexible approach as to who will be on which team as the only real way of judging competence will be during the winter polar training in January.

Everyone is dedicated to being a part of the success of the team, no-matter what position they are in the team. Similarly if for any reason I don’t make it, I have to put contingencies in to ensure the expeditions success.

ExplorersWeb: Will you be the only guide during the expedition and the only one skiing all the way?

Jim: I don’t call myself a guide in these instances as this implies the guys are not fully trained and are to some extent led by the nose.

Ice Warrior’s comprehensive training ensures that by the time they reach the ice they will be competent, safe sea-ice travelers – or they won’t be there! I will lead the teams and be the only one skiing all the way (unless anyone can demonstrate that they’re competent enough to be out there longer) but I’ll have one other deputy leader on each team; just in case I cannot make it!

ExplorersWeb: What is your goal with this expedition and what scientific investigations will you conduct?

Jim: The expedition’s main aim is to conduct a scientific transect of the ocean, gathering “crucial data” on climate change on a daily basis and passing this back to the many schools, businesses and homes who are following our endeavours; raising awareness of the Arctic Region, the plight of its wildlife and its people.

These will be simple measurements like depths of sea-ice and snow, temperatures at various levels which gives an indication of density, sea-ice roughness which catches the wind and exacerbates break-up. The NASA supported NSIDC guys will be overseeing things and coming out with us.

ExplorersWeb: What training program do you plan for the 28 ‘would-be’ explorers? And when will that be?

Jim: October in the UK sees the Core Skills training of Navigation, Expedition Planning, Fitness and Funding, Technical Rope Work and intensive Medical Training.
For international members we sort Core Skills training according to their individual needs.
The full polar training starts in January – a week’s basic polar training followed by a week’s advanced course and then a two-week training expedition – after which the teams are chosen.

ExplorersWeb: Nobody has skied to this Pole. Why do you think, why not?

Jim: Its name may give it away! The Northern Pole of Inaccessibility!

ExplorersWeb: What do you think could be most challenging of this expedition?

Jim: In the true tradition it will be pushing the bounds of endurance, physically and mentally, whilst also gathering as much scientific data as possible. The more the data the more significant the data-set becomes. There are massive logistical challenges as well. For instance, to get a single plane to the end point actually involves 18 different flights.

ExplorersWeb: How long have you been planning to do this?

Jim: My first attempt was in 2003 but I didn’t get out of base camp due to contracting flesh eating disease of my left ankle – lucky for me I didn’t as there is a 30% morbidity rate! My second attempt was in 2006 when conditions were really bad and eventually I fell through the ice and called it too much of a risk. So in short since 2001 when I first read about the pole in an obscure book.

ExplorersWeb: Anything else?

Jim: I’d like everyone to engage with our aim to deliver the reality of global climate change for the sake of the planet and see the story of our struggle to reach the last real World First in the Polar Regions unfold. We will tell it warts-‘an-all – no BS, no hype, no spin – just the truth!

Briton Jim McNeill will be attempting a ski expedition from Canada to the North Pole of Inaccessibility – the point furthest from any northern coastline. This Pole is a geographic construction, not an actual physical phenomenon. Jim will be leading four ‘Ice Warrior’ relay teams to the Pole, also referred to as “The Arctic Pole”.

Jim was born in 1960 and has three children; Kirsty 27, Helen 22, Mac 12 and a grandchild, Lochy, 6 months. “Yes I’m a granddad!” he added. He and his “long suffering adorable wife”, Lori and a sheep dog called Flash live in a small village called Woodside, near to Windsor in the county of Royal Berkshire in England, UK.

Jim says his favourite books are always those real tales of the early explorers (“what a surprise!”). He likes the ones that inspired him to explore in the first place and create ‘Ice Warrior’ which emulates this era. “There are so many prolific early explorers who don’t seem to get much of a mention. (I suppose I identify with them.) In January this year I notched up 25 years of polar exploration; thousands of miles dragging my world behind me! And I still have all my digits! I’ve been through a few scrapes though and I’m trying to write a book; now I feel qualified to.” Jim added that he likes deserts.

According to their website, “Ice Warrior” is about modern-day exploration using ordinary, everyday people to achieve extraordinary expeditionary feats. Their discoveries are more about subjects such as the reality of global climate change, changes to flora, fauna and topography and as they come across these experiences they deliver them into the many homes, schools and businesses that follow them. They stated these are truly life-changing experiences and demonstrate that with the right attitude, preparation and training, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things; like walk to the North Poles.

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