Ice Warrior attempts to reach Northern Pole of inaccessibility

24 February 2006
MUMBAI, INDIA

It is being marketed as the greatest Arctic journey of our time. British Arctic explorer Jim McNeill will set off on a 1,000 mile solo journey, a project named the Ice Warrior Four Poles expedition, in a historic attempt to reach three of the four North Poles (the geographic, the magnetic, and the Arctic Poles). If he is successful, he will be the first explorer to reach the last point, also called the 'Northern Pole of Inaccessibility.'

McNeill, writing from his base camp at Resolute Bay, Canada, said, according to a BBC report, that he had first considered the idea in January 2001. He will be joined by a team comprising of 18 novices in March to undergo 22 days of Arctic training. This team will be followed by two 10-member teams who will participate in the expedition.

McNeill will venture out towards the Magnetic North Pole, which is 473 km north of the Canadian coastline. From there he plans the never been attempted feat of covering the 685 km distance to the Arctic Pole. If
he accomplishes this, he will move on to the Geographic Pole, which 442 km from there.

Despite several hitches, including the lack of a major sponsor, food held up at customs, charter aircraft losing their bookings or being unavailable, and an incomplete survival suit turning up, McNeill seems determined and focused on the journey ahead. After last-minute checks over the weekend, McNeill will start off, weather permitting, first thing on Monday.

McNeill had previously attempted to access the Arctic Pole in 2003, but failed when he was only 24 hours away from the landmark, when his left ankle contracted Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease). McNeill says that he was devastated at not making it, but that it was a 'lucky escape' for him to have emerged alive.