A Record Breaking Challenge
In March 2007, Rosie will fly to Ward Hunt Island on the northern tip of Canada and set off on her epic journey across the frozen arctic ocean.
The expedition is expected to take some 60 days.
The North Pole is the axis of the earth’s rotation where all lines of longitude and time zones converge. It lies on floating pack ice in the middle of the arctic ocean 415 nautical miles from Canada.
This endeavour is a mental and physical challenge of the greatest possible order. In reaching the Pole and realising her dream, Rosie hopes to demonstrate to others that their goals, however daunting, can be achieved.
How
Walking, skiing, climbing and swimming across 415 nautical miles of frozen ocean to the geographic North Pole.
Navigating a moving and unstable ice pack, which is at the mercy of ocean currents below and winds above. Rosie will use a combination of compass, solar and satellite navigation to guide her.
Crossing a floating jigsaw of ice. In places the ice compacts into pressure ridges of ice rubble. These can be as high as 50ft. In other areas the ice breaks up, exposing either very thin ice or expanses of open water.
Overcoming setbacks. As Rosie progresses, the current and negative drift can conspire to pull Rosie off course or even backwards.
Enduring extreme weather conditions with sudden storms and temperatures down to minus 40 degrees centigrade. The maritime environment generates bad and volatile weather, one feature of which is ‘white-outs’ – zero visibility and no contrast.
Risking and managing encounters with polar bears.
Remaining positive and alert despite sleep deprivation, fatigue and hunger.
Coping with the psychological stresses of being solo in extreme isolation in one of the harshest and most dangerous environments on earth.
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.”
– Lou Holtz, legendary US football coach
