I am really delighted to announce that Ben is off to the Arctic again next week. His plan is another attempt on the solo North Pole speed record. It has been a frantic race against time to secure the necessary sponsorship, but he’s done it in the nick of time.
For as long as I have been working with Ben the plan has remained the same: a spring, solo attempt on the North Pole by Ben, and an end of year South Pole expedition by us both together.
The high Arctic is a dangerous place and the best-laid plans lie at the mercy of the fickle whims of the weather. Success is never guaranteed, particularly with the more extreme and audacious bids. But if anyone can pull it off it will be Ben.
I know well how hard he has worked for this opportunity and I will be willing him on. I keep grinning with disbelief that this is finally going to happen. You can follow his progress online here.

I am also heading to the Arctic in the next few weeks, and my paths will cross with my packrafting partner, Andy in Resolute Bay. From there I am heading out to the Arctic Ocean for six weeks with the Catlin Arctic Survey. It is an exciting opportunity for me. And it is brilliant that both Ben and I are taking big steps towards getting ourselves in position to be able to get our 2011 South Pole dreams racing forwards once more.