What are we on about......!
I get asked this occasionally.....
The first thing I want to say is that I have no wish to be the fastest, slowest, highest, biggest smallest or oldest at anything. I’m not remotely interested in the Guinness Book of World Records. My interest is purely in the spirit of adventure and in looking at how innovation can make some of these challenges more accessible to all. In addition I want to get involved in expeditions and adventures which are as environmentally friendly as possible. I want to tread lightly on the environment and leave no trace of our passage. How disappointing it is to see streams of climbers trudging in a line up Everest through the detritus of countless previous expeditions.
I have been extremely fortunate to have taken part in expeditions in many of the most remote and unspoilt parts of the world. These include: Single handed ocean sailing, sea kayaking around Cape Horn and also in Guinea Bissau, recreating Shackleton’s voyage and crossing of S Georgia: etc. Back in 2002/3 a friend and I attempted to kite buggy from the South Pole back to Patriot Hills on the edge of the Antarctic icecap.
Video Here
Unfortunately we did not succeed then. There were two main reasons. First, ironically we did not have enough wind to escape from the quiet zone which surrounds the South Pole and in the light winds we also realised our gear was much too heavy. However, despite this failure, our conviction that the kite buggy is a viable means of transport on the ice has, if anything, grown. And this has been the inspiration for my next adventure, Ice Kites 2.
So the simple plan this time is to sail up to Greenland from Ireland, as we did in ’13
NorthOfDisko.com with all our equipment on board and make a landfall in or near to Paimutt in S Greenland. From there we will approach one of the glaciers which lead up to the main Greenland icecap and unload the expedition team plus their gear:
• A motor bike:
Rokon.com. This to be used as a tug to get our gear up onto the icecap and also as a filming platform. (The alternative is to hire a prohibitively expensive helicopter.) This I have managed to source for less than ½ price in UK. (Long story.....) Martin picking up next week.
• Two buggies based on the tried and tested:
VMaxII While I do have a 12 year old model, I have bought a much newer V Max that is wider and stronger axle. I have also just put in a bid for another on e bay. I am aiming to get John Ruddy, local fixer, to make the modifications needed, namely: front forks larger to take wheels as in below. – twin in line wheel system at rear to spread load.
• These will have however different wheels made by
MG Kites Far too expensive at this stage so I have sourced
All Terrain tyres that allow for ice studs. I have sourced these from
SupaTracks
• A selection of kites. I have been in touch with Ozone through a contact and they will sell their kites at cost, possibly lower. That is when we know what exactly we want. Flying their biggest at 18 sq M however will need nerves of steel......!
• Several pulks for hauling equipment behind the buggies :
snowsled.com Thoughts at this stage are for each buggy to carry all their own gear, primarily in case of separation. If we can get away without towing pulks, even better but that is what year 1 is for, R&D.
• Special lightweight food, clothing and camping gear, fuel etc. All to be sourced. However, if you are choosing to come then over the winter check out:
Sport Pursuit
• Communications gear and filming equipment. Good comms is going to be critical, both to base but also especially on the ice cap. If kiters get separated, then there needs to be equipment and dialogue options to find each other again.....! Even in white out conditions.
• While we have 1 sat phone &
InReach/ (Not latest model.)
• this new bit of gear sounds of interest both on board and ice cap or sea kayaking etc:
Iridium
• The 360 cameras are not yet available, unless anyone knows different?