Archive For 'August, 2011'
25 August 2011 at 17:22
EWR Announce ‘Double Traverse’ of Antarctica
Tony Martin, CEO of ultra-endurance pioneers Extreme World Races, has announced an extraordinary challenge – to complete a pioneering 7000km return crossing of the entire length of Antarctica by specially adapted Toyota Hilux AT6x6 truck, including Captain Scott’s infamous route..
Never before attempted, EWR will be commemorating Captain Scott’s centenary year by faithfully following the iconic explorer’s route via the Beardmore Glacier, before making the return journey – a distance of nearly 3500km each way. To mark this event, EWR will also be organising a ski race to the South Pole and creating a foundation base on the edge of Antarctica for young students and scientists.
EWR, at the forefront of advances in polar exploration since 2003, have developed a revolutionary fleet of Toyota Hilux AT4x4 and AT6x6 vehicles in partnership with Arctic Trucks Iceland. Introduced by EWR in 2009, these incredible vehicles have been painstakingly designed and tested to offer the ultimate balance of the most extreme performance with the minimum environmental impact.
As a result, EWR have been responsible for providing logistics on major projects including the legendary Top Gear Polar Challenge and BBC’s On Thin Ice Series with Ben Fogle and James Cracknell and EWR’s polar expertise and infrastructure is now world-renowned.
Now with world-beating fuel efficiency, higher load capacity and improved towing ability, plus extra-large deck for carrying support teams and the extensive equipment required for survival in these conditions, the new AT6x6 is the ultimate off-roader and the only vehicle capable of performing to this level in this harshest of tests.
Tony Martin, CEO and Founder of Extreme World Races; ‘since 2003, we have been developing our network of Hilux vehicles to provide safe, efficient, and environmentally sensitive exploration in Antarctica. EWR are the only operation with the infrastructure to be able to attempt this route and it will be both an honour and the realization of a personal dream of mine, to be able to attempt the famed double traverse on the Centenary of Captain Scott’s journey.’
With temperatures of -50 degrees, winds of 80 mph and deadly crevasses up to a kilometre deep, this is one of the most dangerous places on the planet. Immortalised by Captain Scott’s epic and ultimately tragic expedition 100 years ago, Antarctica remains one of the world’s last great wildernesses and this treacherous journey will push the boundaries of polar exploration to its very limits.
Tags: Antarctica | Tony Martin | Captain Scott | Arctic Trucks
Posted in Extreme Headlines | South Pole | Extreme Races | No Comments
25 August 2011 at 12:02
Captain Robert Falcon Scott: Part I; The Origins Of The Race To The South Pole
"We shall stick it out till the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far. It seems a pity but I do not think I can write more." Captain R.F. Scott - 29th March, 1912
Whilst he may not have been the first to reach the South Pole in 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s extraordinary diary - written during his ’Terra Nova’ expedition across Antarctica – remains one of the most evocative and moving accounts of human endurance in all of history.
Whether the party’s infamous demise was a result of insufficient planning or unusually severe weather conditions, Scott’s portrayal of survival at the very edge of existence has ensured his iconic status as ‘Britain’s Greatest Explorer’, a pioneer for millions of adventurers worldwide and the inspiration behind EWR's Centenary Race to the South Pole.
So why did Scott decide to attempt the seemingly impossible?
Born in 1868 in Plymouth, Devon, Scott’s early childhood was spent in relative comfort. His father ran a successful brewery and Robert was dutifully prepared for a career in the armed forces, as was the tradition, and was sent to Dartmouth aged 13 to begin his naval training.
After a number of years serving as midshipman in St. Kitts, Scott’s career trajectory altered dramatically when the responsibility of supporting his family in England reverted to him. Scott’s father and younger brother died within a few years of one another and his family were left bankrupt by a series of unfortunate investments by his father.
Shortly after, he was approached by Clements Markham from the Royal Geographical Society and offered a position as Commander on the upcoming Discovery expedition to Antarctica in 1901. Scott jumped at the chance to both raise his family's income and progress in his career.
Widely regarded as a resounding success, Scott led the Discovery to approximately 530 miles from the South Pole and returned with exciting scientific and biological findings. Scott soon became well-known back in England and, honoured both by the RGS and civil society, he began his ascent to national iconic status.
Markham (who became President of the RGS whilst Scott was in Antarctic) observed that Scott had been ‘bitten by Pole mania’. Plans for his next expedition ‘Terra Nova’ were hatched. The aim; purely to reach the South Pole, something never achieved before, rather than for any scientific purpose. Scott would set out to achieve the extraordinary.
With expedition planning well underway, Scott received a telegram from a Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen;
"BEG TO INFORM YOU FRAM (sic) PROCEEDING ANTARCTIC--AMUNDSEN."
The Race to the South Pole was on…
Tags: South Pole | Antarctica | Captain Scott | History
Posted in South Pole | 2011. Race to the Pole. Scott v Amundsen Centenary | No Comments
23 August 2011 at 15:41
Top Polar Survival Tips Part 1
In the first of a new series, EWR instructor Conrad Dickinson shares some of his most important survival tips for successful polar travel;
1. FALLING THROUGH THE ICE:
This is the ultimate polar nightmare - crashing through thin ice into freezing water with your sledge attached, at -30C.
The natural reaction is to panic, breathe quickly and flounder about..DO NOT DO THIS! Keep calm for the first 15 seconds and appraise the situation.
Unfasten your sledge and remove your skis. Then slide your hands down to the baskets of your ski poles, stab them into the ice where you fell in and pull yourself out of the water.
At the same time, kick your feet to force yourself out. Stay on your belly on the ice until you get to firmer ice by "leopard crawling". When on firm ice, roll in the snow to let dry particles of snow absorb as much water from your soaking clothes as possible.
Set your tent up really quickly and light a stove to dry your clothes. Have a hot drink, then carry on!
This may all sound very difficult and the only way to really learn the sequence is to try it - why not experience the famous 'Polar Dip' at EWR's Adventure Academy..
2. LOOKING AFTER YOUR TENT
YOUR TENT IS YOUR LIFELINE IN THE POLAR REGIONS..
Damage or lose it and you are in deep trouble.
The best advice for putting your tent up in a storm is ..Practice, Practice, Practice.
Also, learn how to build a snow wall to protect it from the elements.
Always carry spare poles just in case one of your tent poles snaps.
ALWAYS secure your tent to the ground before erecting..there are few things worse than watching your tent blow away like tumble weed in a storm!
3. THINKING POSITIVE
In polar travel, there are three certainties:
It is always cold, the sledge is always heavy and the terrain is always challenging....
Start thinking negative thoughts in this environment and things will start to go wrong; the situation will always look worse than it is.
By adopting a positive mindset, you tend to solve problems and overcome obstacles, which in turn better prepares you for the next challenge.
Tags: Conrad Dickinson | Training | Survival Tips | Polar
Posted in Training | No Comments
16 August 2011 at 11:02
Press Release. For Immediate Release.
EWR Announce ‘Double Traverse’ of Antarctica
Tony Martin, CEO of ultra-endurance pioneers Extreme World Races, today announces an extraordinary challenge – to complete a pioneering 7000km return crossing of the entire length of Antarctica by specially adapted Toyota Hilux 6x6 truck, including Captain Scott’s infamous route.
Never before attempted, EWR will be commemorating Captain Scott’s centenary year by faithfully following the iconic explorer’s route via the Beardmore Glacier, before making the return journey – a distance of nearly 3500km each way. To mark this event, EWR will also be organising a ski race to the South Pole and creating a foundation base on the edge of Antarctica for young students and scientists.
EWR CEO Tony Martin
EWR's specially designed AT44
6 x 6
EWR, at the forefront of advances in polar exploration since 2003, have developed a revolutionary fleet of Toyota Hilux vehicles in partnership with Norway-based Arctic Trucks. Introduced by EWR in 2009, these incredible vehicles have been painstakingly designed and tested to offer the ultimate balance of the most extreme performance with the minimum environmental impact.
As a result, EWR have been responsible for providing logistics on major projects including the legendary Top Gear Polar Challenge and BBC’s On Thin Ice Series with Ben Fogle and James Cracknell and EWR’s polar expertise and infrastructure is now world-renowned.
Now with world-beating fuel efficiency, higher load capacity and improved towing ability, plus extra-large deck for carrying support teams and the extensive equipment required for survival in these conditions, the new AT44 6x6 is the ultimate off-roader and the only vehicle capable of performing to this level in this harshest of tests.
Tony Martin, CEO and Founder of Extreme World Races;
‘since 2003, we have been developing our network of Hilux vehicles to provide safe, efficient, and environmentally sensitive exploration in Antarctica. EWR are the only operation with the infrastructure to be able to attempt this route and it will be both an honour and the realization of a personal dream of mine, to be able to attempt the famed double traverse on the Centenary of Captain Scott’s journey.’
With temperatures of -50 degrees, winds of 80 mph and deadly crevasses up to a kilometre deep, this is one of the most dangerous places on the planet. Immortalised by Captain Scott’s epic and ultimately tragic expedition 100 years ago, Antarctica remains one of the world’s last great wildernesses and this treacherous journey will push the boundaries of polar exploration to its very limits.
Toyota Hilux AT44 6x6 Specifications
· Engine: 3.0L Diesel common rail, 170hp/3600rpm/360Nm
· Filtration: Extra heavy duty fuel and air filtration
· Gearbox: 5 speed automatic
· Transfer case: Part time High and low range (2.566:1 in low)
· Crawler gear (2.566:1 in low)
· Differential locks: 100% (front/rear/rear)
· Brakes front/rear: Disc/drum/drum
· Tyres front/rear: 44x18.50/15
· Rim: Arctic Trucks 15x16 rim
· Suspension front/rear: Coil/Coil/Coil
· Length: 6.365mm (+150mm for grille guard)
· Width: 2.300mm
· Height: 2.145mm (+170mm for roof rack)
· Wheelbase: 3.125mm/1200mm
· Ground clearance: 480mm under belly (min. 376mm)
· Fuel tank: 400 L
· Compressed air: integrated compressor
· EL: 12V generator 960W + extra battery
· Power outlets as requested.
· Tire pressure as low as 2 psi or 0,14 kg/cm3
Tags: South Pole Race | Arctic Trucks | Tony Martin
Posted in South Pole | 2011. Race to the Pole. Scott v Amundsen Centenary | Press Releases | No Comments
05 August 2011 at 14:06
Welcome to the August issue of the EWR Newsletter
This month’s issue is jam-packed with invaluable advice, tips and thoughts from our resident team of experts.
Helping you prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we continue our exclusive guide to mental fitness, a skills guide to pulk-pulling, the best wild places in Britain and we get to the bottom of iconic Lake Baikal in Siberia – the setting for our spectacular Black Ice Race in 2012.
Achieve the Extraordinary!
John Campbell
In last month’s article, EWR’s mind coach and guru, John Campbell, introduced us to the different levels of the mind; the conscious mind, subconscious mind and the universal Law of Attraction. John focussed on understanding the different levels on the mind, how we read and interpret the information that surrounds us and how we can use this in the most positive way.
This month John will teach us how to channel our thoughts and imparts some practical advice on how to attract and enable the things we want into our lives.
Master Your Mind Part II
Start practicing becoming aware of how often you ‘judge’ people or situations in your daily life. This is not to then berate yourself when you find yourself doing this – we all do it until we decide to let it go – and even then it is a life time’s work. Remember we are not doing this to be ‘saints’ – we are doing it because it is good for US! If we can always look for a ‘better feeling thought’ we then immediately raise our vibration and then the Law of Attraction kicks in and will start bringing things we are looking for into our lives. What you give out – must, eventually come back – even.
So a great preparation for any endurance race is to bombard your mind with material about people who have succeeded in endurance events. Read books, articles and watch movie content of the area and make sure you FEEL the excitement of being successful. It is vital that you connect positive emotions with your visuals – this makes for a powerful manifesting experience.
Create a ‘vision board’ incorporating photos of yourself and your team in full race regalia in the environment of the Antarctic – perhaps construct a FINISH banner above your head. If you can create a movie of this – even better. Then place the photos everywhere – on your computer screen saver, in your car, around your living space, wherever you can. A great place is right above your bed on the ceiling so it’s the last thing you see before you go to sleep and the first thing you see when you wake up. Remember to feel the emotion of excitement when you view these photos. If you can create, or have clips of film of you – keep playing these once in the morning and once at night – and whenever else you get a chance. There is a great programme called www.mindmovies.com where you can make your own custom movies for a very small cost. When you have made them – the company will then publish them for you and you can have them running subliminally on your computer 24/7. So whenever you are doing anything on your computer – these movies are playing in the background and being assimilated into your sub conscious mind.
Just to say a little about the ‘super conscious mind’. This is the part of our mind which is connected to our Higher Self. The part of us which is always ‘on our side’ – and on everyone else’s side too!
This is the part of our mind which, when we are consciously connected to it, will create a sense of peace, calmness, assuredness in all matters regardless of what may be going on in our external world. So, during a seemingly tough event such as The South Pole Race, or any event, we need to make a conscious connection with that part of ourselves. This part has absolutely no fear and knows that we are safe at all times. Just as the three most important things when buying a retail business are location, location and location – the three most important things when wanting to connect with our super conscious mind are meditation, meditation and meditation.
Another great tool to use when doubts, anxiety or fear creep in is ‘Tapping’ or EFT. This is one of the most simple and amazing tools to use to change our state at anytime. It’s based on a combination of ancient Chinese acupuncture and modern Western Psychology. Instead of using needles to balance the energy which is out of balance – it uses ‘tapping’ with our fingers on various meridian points.
Andy Harvey
Following on from Andy’s previous piece, the ABC’s of Adventure, our resident outdoor expert has taken some time out to discuss his favourite places in Britain! There’s something for everyone on this list of the country’s Top 10 Places for Adventurer’s – so if climbing, kayaking, swimming or gorge walking is your thing check out this list!
Wild Britain – Andy’s Top 10 Places for Adventurer’s in Britain
- Pembrokeshire – St.Govans Head Multi pitch climbing on limestone – exposed coastal routes!
- Derbyshire – Stanage Edge, Single pitch Granite escarpment
- Gower Peninsula - Three Cliffs Bay – coastal multi pitch limestone climbing
- Scottish Highlands – Glen Nevis & Nevis range – Amazing canoeing, climbing, mountaineering and Gorge Walking – The Mecca of all things adventurous in the UK!
- North Wales – Ogwen Valley – Amazing multi pitch climbing and mountaineering
- South Wales – Mellte Gorge – Serious grade 5 canoeing and awesome extreme gorge walking!
- Monmouthshire – Symonds Yat – A multi activity area – Caving, multi-pitch climbing, canoeing and mountain biking – An area you’d spend a few days relaxing in, along with some brilliant pubs!
- Cornwall – Fistral Beach – Great beach, great surf and great atmosphere!
- Cotswolds - Watermark Lakes – Fantastic open water centre for swimming. 2km loops, great facilities, cheap as chips and open 365 days of the year morning sand evenings!
- South Wales – Brecon Beacons – Brilliant multi terrain Mountain Biking routes all within the same region – downhill, single-track cross country, mountain routes and mixed routes for those wanting to take things a little gentle! Has something for everyone.
Black Ice Siberia Race 2012
Celebrating the launch of our recently announced Siberia Black Ice Race 2012, we get to the bottom of Baikal, the world’s oldest, deepest lake….
History of Lake Baikal
Known as ‘the Pearl of Siberia’ , Lake Baikal is 30 million years old and with an average depth of 744.4 metres and located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast.
As the most voluminous freshwater lake in the world containing roughly 20% of the world's unfrozen surface fresh water, at 1,642 metres (5,387 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest and among the clearest of all lakes in the world.
Similar to Lake Tanganyika, Lake Baikal was formed as an ancient rift valley, created by the Baikal Rift Zone having the typical long crescent shape. Baikal is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world.
For the locals, perhaps the most important species is the omul (Coregonus autumnalis migratorius), a smallish endemic salmonid. It is caught, smoked and then sold widely in markets around the lake, and will find its way into the daily diet of anyone visiting the area.
In 1996 Lake Baikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is also home to Buryat tribes who reside on the eastern side of Lake Baikal, rearing goats, camels, cattle and sheep.
During winter, which effectively lasts from mid-September to the end of May, the Siberian nature is at the peak of its powers. Snow remains in the areas around the Bajkal until the end of June, and only July and August can be considered summer months.
Toward the end of August frost sets in during nights, and the deep Siberian winter approaches. Above and in the immediate vicinity of the Bajkal water basin the average temperature lies at around -20 C during the coldest periods, but temperatures of -40 and below are far from uncommon particularly in the dark winter nights.
Just a few kilometers away from the sea the Siberian winter deepens still further, and temperatures around -70 C have occasionally been recorded in this area. These conditions create a special atmosphere and a special type of life, a special mindset, which has to be experienced in order to be fully appreciated, making this one of the ultimate ultra race venues in the world.
Skills Workshop
Continuing our guide to the skills and equipment you’ll need for ultimate in exploration, the one piece of equipment synonymous with Polar travel is the humble sledge or ‘pulk’ as the EWR community may know from our races.
Efficient handling of a pulk, correct weight distribution and the organisation and packing of your equipment all contribute to you successfully completing your race. This article will provide you with a few hints on how to successfully pack a pulk for your next big adventure!
‘Pulk’ Packing tips
What to buy? There are various models and designs of pulk available on the market these range from PVC (Plastic) pulks to fibre glass or even Kevlar models. In addition these also vary in size, load capacity and a host of other features such as integrated bags and covers.
For a Polar race it is important to have a pulk with good runners that are relatively light, durable and large enough for your supplies. For additional protection most pulks will have a shaped wooden board inserted in to their base to prevent damage to your equipment.
The first rule for packing your pulk is to make sure that you have enough equipment and provisions without going overboard, always remembering to carry some additional food and fuel for an emergency situation. Expeditions require meticulous attention to detail and weight can be a major factor – especially in a racing situation. Carrying needless equipment adds additional weight to your load and although it may be less noticeable at the start of a race, over time this will add a considerable load, make you more tired, causing you to burn more calories and make your life that little bit harder! So, choose your equipment wisely and don’t go over the top with the luxuries!
Weight It’s important to maintain even distribution of weight within the pulk to ensure the sledge pulls and runs smoothly – making its movement over snow and ice very predictable. This of course helps when dealing with ascending or descending gradients in the terrain. Weight distribution is very important and you may find that after packing the pulk that you may need to alter this. For example in softer snow it may be better to distribute more weight to the rear of the pulk but always start with a nice even distribution.
Food & Fuel In an extreme environment like the North Pole food and fuel keep you alive. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep food and fuel supplies apart in your pulk as much as possible. Fuel is toxic. It could contaminate your food supplies rendering them inedible. Keeping these apart and stored safely ensures that no matter what happens you will have food to eat! Place your food in waterproof dry bags to prevent contamination. If you are unfortunate to be in a situation where you have a suspected fuel leak, it is very important to remember that at extreme temperatures fuel will cause almost instant frostbite on contact with exposed skin – be careful!
Packing High or Low? Making sure that the equipment in your pulk is not stacked too high can make a considerable difference. High, lateral or katabatic winds make travel difficult in a Polar environment. Objects are less affected by the wind if their profile is lower. This reduces the surface area the wind can affect – removing the sail effect.
Be Wise! The last tip we will leave you with is the most obvious and often most neglected of all – pack it wisely! Make sure that your most frequently used items are easily accessible! Every time you stop the heat that your body has worked incredibly hard to generate begins to dissipate – the longer you spend stationary the colder you become. Packing your pulk wisely means you spend less time looking for kit and more time enjoying your breaks! Whilst taking your break – if you’re using your pulk as a seat remember; don’t sit on anything and break it!
We hope that this skills lesson was useful and that you have a good idea about how to pack your pulk for your next big adventure! Always remember – practise makes perfect!
Good luck!
Posted in Extreme Races | 2012. Lake Baikal | John Campbell | Training | No Comments
