Читать книгу Polar Exploration. A practical handbook for North and South Pole expeditions онлайн

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In a recent expedition… a North Pole skier was rescued by the military after he had run out of fuel. The story received a good amount of media coverage. These days, with most extreme points already explored, modern adventurers kick up the difficulty by going with less support, faster, longer, higher, or via ‘impossible’ routes.

Sometimes it gets them in trouble and they become dependent on others to save their necks. It's OK, as bending of boundaries is necessary for human progress. But there is a line between that and reckless projects lacking in sufficient preparation. Not only do they jeopardise rescue possibilities for those who really need them, they also risk the lives of rescuers. Worse, some explorers overdramatise situations simply to gain media attention…

To trek to the North Pole from Canada is a tough, harsh, challenging journey, probably the hardest trek in the world. I applaud any adventurer who dares to take up this challenge. Adventurers choose to be on the Arctic Ocean. Each adventurer has a responsibility to have the food, fuel and money in place so that they can get off the ice safely using the normal methods (for example a pick-up by Twin Otter aircraft). It is the responsibility of the adventurer to ensure they have adequate supplies, taking into account the fickle nature of the Arctic Ocean. Polar adventurers have no right to run out of food and/or fuel and to call Search & Rescue. The rescuers are trained professionals who risk their lives to save the lives of others. Adventurers have no right to ask these men and women to risk their lives to take them off the Arctic Ocean.