Diary Archive

Diary

 

12/11/2008

It's 7 degrees, sunny, with light winds. I'm wearing a T-shirt and light fleece, with cotton trousers and trainers. I'm feeling strong, warm and finding the day's work pretty easy. A typical day in the life of an Antarctic explorer. The fact that I'm sat in my office in Exeter, on my third cup of coffee, rather than just starting an 80 day expedition, probably makes it more typical.

I know where I'd rather be, but getting funding proved impossible in the current financial environment and so I've put back everything for 12 months. I'm not entirely dis-heartened, as various injuries during the year had left me less fit than I'd have liked, but it is difficult following other expeditions that are just getting under way. Several other expeditions this year have suffered from the same problem.

The sudden weakening in the value of Sterling has also pushed the cost of the expedition up substantially in the last couple of months, with everything paid for in US dollars. Finding the sponsorship is going to be hard, but I'm convinced that there is enormous value for the right company.

My training has been entirely re-planned, going back to basics for the next couple of months, and building up again gradually. Training for several hours a day for the next year would be great, but would increase the chance of injury and, realistically, is a luxury that I cannot afford. Every hour devoted to the expedition is an hour that I'm not earning, and my finances are in need of replenishment after the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, www.thepoles.com are following all of this year's expeditions in Antarctica for those of you who are going to miss your daily dose of my mis-adventures. The site has recently re-run an article about John's hill, the crevasse filed named after me in Antarctica. It can be found at http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=17750

 

12/09/2008

Hectic uncertainty. Is the expedition going ahead this year, or must I delay until next?

Still no sponsor, but I have one remaining iron in the fire. Will know by this time next week. Luckily ALE, the logisitcs company that fly me into Antarctica and pick up the pieces afterwards, have been willing to hold my place on the flight until now, but it is quite possible that I will need to spend another year hunting for the finances.

Without the cash, I've not yet organised my food, flights to Chile, remaining equipment, etc, but I've just about enough time to do this if a cheque arrives soon. Having been on a similar venture before, I've definitely got a bit blase about the preparation, but am well aware of the dangers of missing something, or not taking enough care over every small detail.

Meanwhile, my training continues. My shoulder seems fully recovered and the cold wet summer does make training easier. I've lost a lot of training time this year through an unfortunate series of illnesses and injury, but am now at full strength. Unlike received polar wisdom, my strategy is not to pile on loads of weight beforehand (the logic being that this keeps you warm and is a ready supply of fuel) but to go fit and strong and relatively lean. Looking at the options practically, polar travellers choose to pull their supplies behind them in a sledge, and not carry them on their back in a rucksack. Therefore, as it is easier to pull than carry, I choose to pull extra food rather than carry it as fat on my body. This enables me to train more efficiently but leaves me with a heavier sledge.

I'm also looking at gathering physiological data on the expedition as part of a project with Exeter University. There are some interesting developments in data gathering that should enable me to upload my body's detailed reactions to each day on the ice, and for me to receive feeback en-route as to how best to adjust my efforts to maximise my efficiency. Maximum efficiency = less work = less food = less weight = less work, etc, etc.

 

31/07/2008

It's looking like it's going to be a busy year in Antarctica. Only 8 people have ever walked solo and unsupported to the South Pole, and now 5 people are trying it this season - me included.

The good news, which should really help in persuading a sponsor to come on board, is that I have been signed up by a major American TV broadcaster for an exciting project about the expedition. The bad news is that I've yet to convert this into a cheque from a sponsor.

Three months before the expedition, this is probably the busiest I get. I spend a lot of time in following up sponsorship possibilities, training is increasing, and I still need to work to pay the bills. So, with not enough hours in the day I've decided to go on holiday. Unfortunately Andy, who devises my training programs doesn't seem to understand the word holiday and he's given me a 'reduced' program for the week, which looks a bit like all the other programs, but he's spaced it out on the page a bit to make it look like there's loads of free time.

Meanwhile, I've successfully managed to mow the lawn again without injury.

 

04/07/2008

My shoulder has recovered well enough to allow a return to full training, except for weight training using my arms. As long as I don't need to climb out of any crevasses, I'll be fine. John McCain can't lift his arm above his shoulder and he could be President, so it's clearly not an excuse.

The work involved in approaching potential sponsors is exhausting. It's also frustrating at just how rubbish your average company is at responding to even the simplest requests. Still, there are discussions ongoing for potential National Newspaper coverage and a TV documentary, which may be helpful in teasing a sponsor or two out of the woodwork.

I met up with Mike Sharp of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, the company that operates the flights into Antarctica and who I rely upon for Search & Rescue, if needed, a couple of weeks ago. We discussed some of the options available and confirmed that I would be able to travel into Antarctica on the staff flight. This leaves a few days before the first official 'customer' flight of the season, and means that I should have a few more days available on the ice. This will be very welcome.

I now need to start getting on with replacing some of my gear that either didn't survive last time or needs upgrading. It particular my boots which, for some unexplained reason, are made in the States but the manufacturer or any supplier will not post to the UK. I need a new wind-proof jacket and the Goretex trousers are too worn to risk using again. However, I see no need at all to replace the trusty pair of underpants that I wore for the whole of the last trip.

17/06/2008

My shoulder's recovering quicker than expected. I can drive, run and play tennis again, but weight training will be off the menu for a while yet. Also, the lawnmower survived and is sitting in the shed, taunting me.

I did 37 miles of the South West Coast Path in North Devon with a friend at the weekend, which has kept the legs in reasonable shape. I'm not sure whether the paragliding course in the Isle of Wight this weekend is exactly what the doctor ordered - especially when I still can't hold my arm over my head for more than a few seconds - but I should be great at going round in circles.

My main concern now is to get a main sponsor lined up, and to find enough time to keep the day job running smoothly. It's amazing how difficult it can be just to get a large company to tell you who to contact, let alone getting hold of the right person. Many thanks to those who have offered help and given some of their time.

"If you haven't found something strange during the day, it hasn't been much of a day." (John A Wheeler, physicist, who coined the term 'Black Hole')

 

04/06/08

 

Taking it easy

After my accident my right arm remains in a sling to keep the shoulder immobile and let the joint heal. I've gone through a few packets of ibuprofen to keep the swelling down which appears to have helped. I did have a normal white cotton sling, which makes you look injured in a 'my parachute didn't open properly' sort of way, but have since been given a blue nylon one which says 'I'm quite old and fall over a lot' instead.

Still, I haven't been able to drive yet, which means I haven't had to go shopping or do the school run, and of course washing-up is out of the question, but it has also meant no football, running, or weight sessions. I've been relying on hill walking and using a turbo trainer - which converts a bike into an exercise bike. Hopefully I'll be back running next week.

Meanwhile it's Zak's (my eldest son) birthday on Friday, shared with Captain Scott's, so yes, it seems it does run in the family.

30/05/08

 

Close call

Well they say that there are lots of things that can go wrong in the planning of a polar expedition, but this one was probably one of the most unusual.

I managed to drive my ride-on lawnmower off a 1.5m wall onto our stone patio (we won't go into the details), and landed on my head and right shoulder. Needless to say my head was ok, but my shoulder was in serious pain and not its usual shape. Not much fun, especially as I live out in the country, my wife was away and I was in charge of the boys and clearly unable to drive.

Afer a bit of phoning around I managed to get some help and a lift to the hospital, where I was told I had ruptured my Acromioclavicular ligament (no, I'd never heard of it either, but apparently it's the one that stops your arm falling off), that I couldn't use my arm for anything, and that recovery might be anything from a few weeks to six months. So, not too helpful for the training then.

I went to see the shoulder specialist yesterday and got some better news. It looks like I might now expect to be out of action for around 3 weeks, and can hopefully start using the arm before then. Meanwhile my aim is to try to keep fit on a static bike, and to try to avoid saying 'lawnmower', which appears to have taken on the ability to make people giggle inanely at me.

Meanwhile, in response to friends' questions of concern, no, the lawnmower isn't ok and yes, the patio is fine - thanks for asking.

 

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19/05/2008

 

Training problems

My training program is building up gradually and, with 5 1/2 months to go, I've got about 2 1/2 hours a day of formal exercise. I do two extensive stretching sessions each week, 3 longish weight sessions, and three different types of run. I'm still also playing football twice a week and the odd tennis match.

The running consists of a series of hill sprints of varying lengths, longer sprints on the flat, with recovery jogging in between, and a long, 2 hour + run each Sunday. At this stage of the program, I am working on developing more power, particularly for those times when I have to get 400 lbs of sled over a hill, or out of a hole.

For my last expedition I was lucky and didn't really pick up any problematic injuries at all. Unfortunately, I've just picked up an injury to my calves, and have to give them a week's rest and take anti-inflammatories. No real problem as I can temporarily switch to lower impact exercise like cycling and using the nordic ski machine.

Meanwhile, the search for sponsors is beginning in earnest.

 

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28/04/2008

BBC Radio Devon interview, 07.40 Tues 29th April.

 

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22/04/2008

It’s about 6 months since I decided to take this on. Planning a second expedition is entirely different from the first. This time I know everything that I need and roughly where to get it, what training I need, who to get to help, and what priority to give each issue. The first time ignorance was a real problem. Now I worry about much smaller details as I search for the perfection I think is needed to give me a hope of success.

The physical training is coming on well. I lost only a little fitness from my return from A ntarctica over a year ago, and I have started formal training earlier this time. Before I had to guess at the fitness and stamina needed. Now I have a good idea, and it's a lot.

Planning and preparing for an expedition of this nature, training for an increasing amount of time each day, working, and still being part of family life is hard work, but really enjoyable.

So far I've been really lucky with the help I've received. My thanks go out to Rokk Media who have designed and created this website, and to Proteus Media who are providing PR services for the expedition.

It's amazing how much there is to do and it feels like time is short already, even though I don't leave for 6 months.