Tuesday 6 April 2010

So...Unassisted or Unsupported?

I'm confused; we plan to ski to the South Pole from the Ross Ice Shelf via the Axel Heiberg Glacier. Then once we have reached the South Pole we intend to head in a North Westerly direction towards the Ronne Ice Shelf. For this part of the journey, if the wind is blowing strong enough and in the right direction, we will use kites to assist us in pulling the 140kg pulks whilst still using the same ski's that have enabled us to complete the 450miles (or so) to the Pole.

As far as I was concerned, we had devised an unsupported crossing of Antarctica via the South Pole. We would start the expedition with all the supplies (food, fuel, equipment) we would need for the entire journey. The impact this would have on the team would mean an extra 50kg to add to the 90kg we would have to pull if we were to re-supply once. This was an important decision to make early on, as it would affect the way in which each team member prepared themselves, both physically and mentally, for the trip.

So it was agreed, unsupported but assisted by wind. The use of kites is important to me as the expedition will commemorate the memory of Captain Scott and his team. We will reach the pole using traditional methods, cross country skiing man hauling our supplies, it will be extremely hard, physical work but we will reach the pole by sheer determination and endurance. When we reach Pole we will herald the new way of Polar travel by attempting to kite ski the 650miles home. An expedition that will combine the spirit of the heroic age of Polar exploration with the 'Red Bull generation' age in style.

However, according to the 'rules' on www.adventurestats.com it appears that the expedition will be supported but unassisted?!

See below;

Support

Support refers to external power aids used for significant speed and load advantage. Typical aids are wind power (kites), animal power (dogs), or engine power (motorized vehicles). Only human powered expeditions are considered unsupported. Usage of human powered equipment such as skis, snowshoes, and sleds are not considered support. Usage of navigation aid such as compass and GPS are not considered support. Usage of safety aids such as radios, satellite phones and location beacons are not considered support.

Labels:

Unsupported
Wind Support
Dog Support
Motorized Support


So according to the rules, the British Antarctic Expedition will be (deep breath!) an unassisted wind supported crossing of the Antarctic land mass.

I need a drink!