In 2008, Mountain Equipment Pro Partner Ben Saunders’ expedition to become the fastest man to walk solo and unsupported to the North Pole was thwarted after two weeks on the ice by a critical failure of his ski equipment.
In March 2010 a fitter and more determined Ben will be reattempting the speed record.
Bens aim is to set a new world speed record from Ward Hunt Island to the Geographic North Pole. The current record was set in 2005 by a guided team using dog sleds and numerous re-supplies in a time of 36 days 22 hours. Ben’s expedition will be solo and unsupported ( No assistance for the entire expedition (all food & fuel is pulled in the sledge.) and foot). This route has only ever been completed once solo and unsupported, by Pen Hadow in 2003. Ben aims to halve his time and complete it in 30 days.
photos: Andrew Ward
