Are these dudes Nuts or what?

[DaveSunRa]

These two guys heading off this Sunday to reach the North Pole on foot. Total darkness the whole way. Wow, not for me. Check it out on NPR.org

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5149897

 

[giggy]

not for me either!

 

[ExploreTheEast]

Yeah, I'm NEVER doing that again! The first three times was enough!

 

[cp2000]

Wow.

We all know what part of these guys are made of solid oak.

 

[dr_wu002]

If I were physically and financially able to do this I would. It sounds like fun to me.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Klutz]

I say more power to em! Man they are nuts!

 

[KayakDan]

Sorry,but that's a little more winter camping than I had in mind.
That must be one heck of a big orange sled!

 

[DaveSunRa]

Would it be better to hike at night and sleep during the day?

 

[spaddock]

That sounds like a sweet trip. Nice to see there are still things on this earth that haven't been done already.

I hope they get to say hi to Santa...


-Shayne

 

[Peakbagr]

Besides the cold, wind, darkness and fatigue, they'll probably have to watch for an 800 pound polar bear jumping out at them or stalking the campsites from the smell of food.
A mentally and physically demanding trip. I agree with the comment about how nice it is to still think of things that haven't been done already.

 

[Becket1903]

hmmm.....

No thanks. Average of -50 degree celsius temps seem a bit on the cold side for me.

 

[dundare]

Has anyone seen SherpaK and his sled lately?

 

[DougPaul]

One book I totally enjoyed was: "Polar Dream", "The heroic saga of the first solo journey by a woman and her dog to the Pole", "In 1988 Helen Thayer set off to do what no other woman had ever done: ski to the North Pole." "A page-turner..."

That was the Magnetic North Pole. Massive difference.

Doug

 

[TenPeaks]

There's a good article about these two and their north pole attempt in the current issue of National Geographic Adventure .

 

[Stan]

... on the other hand, as frigid as it is, the north polar winter weather is actually more stable than the summer weather. In addition, the ocean is frozen solid, diminishing the risks and detours of open water.

With today's technology a winter trek is far less daunting than, say, during Perry's time and I wonder what they'll have in that 300 lb. pack. They will need light or infrared technology for this, the hummocks and piled up blocks of ice don't lend themselves for easy sledding.

 

[kerry13]

I saw a program on Mike Horn a couple months ago. The journeys this guy has attempted and completed is mind boggling. This must be one of his first expeditions with a partner, he generally goes solo and usually lives off the land. He is from S. Africa and has circumnavigated the globe at the equator, and circumnavigated the north pole solo. Lost several of his fingers on one hand from frostbite during a test run for the north pole circumnavigation and still went ahead with it despite doctors recommendations to hold off till the stubbs healed. Fasinating story, amazing guy.