|
 Polar Vision is a four-man team on a 600-mile trek to the South Pole, something made even more impressive as one of the team members, Alan Lock, is so severely visually impaired he’s been legally declared blind. You can read a full news story on the expedition here, and at the end of last week Adventure Travel spoke to the team in Antarctica (Alan, his team-mates Richard and Andrew, and their guide Hannah) via sat phone. Here’s what they told us…
How are you all and how is morale?
Good! We’re currently on day 13 which is a rest day; we have travelled a third of the 600 mile trek so far.
What are the conditions like?
Blue skies, light wind and cold! The last three days have been milder compared to the initial weather when there were a few white outs, poor visibility and strong winds.
How does it feel to be retracing the route British explorers pioneered almost 100 years ago?
Exciting, there’s a real buzz surrounding the Antarctic at the moment with a lot of activity going on. It’s given us a real insight into the biggest challenges explorers would have had to face without the kind of equipment that is available now.
 Before the trek you trained for five days in Canada, near the Arctic Circle. How close was it to the real thing?
It was invaluable. We trained with Matty McNair who’s well respected in the polar community. We wanted to make sure our training was harder than the actual event. It felt much colder in Canada, maybe due to the humidity – the air is drier here in Antarctica and if your kit stays dry, it will keep you warm. We had been talking on Skype regularly for over a year and a half but Canada was the first time we had ever all been together in the same room. The next thing we knew we were alone out on the ice with no guide, but we covered 60 miles in six days.
Alan, what have been the biggest challenges so far as a result of your visual impairment?
White outs and periods of poor visibility have been difficult, especially where the snow forms drifts or where the terrain is extra tough. We have been combating this by having one member of the team skiing beside me at times to assist me. I am also finding that it is hard not being able to help with in-camp activities and navigation.
What is the most useful bit of kit you have with you?
Definitely our iPods; we cannot begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for previous explorers to cover these kinds of distances without music and stories to keep them going. In particular audio books are helping.
We have been very fortunate with the gear we have received from companies such as Iridium, who supplied us with the satellite phone that made this interview possible; Marmot that supplied sleeping bags; goggles from Oakley and so much help in the form of support and logistics from businesses, friends and family.
Is there anything you wish you had packed?
A snowmobile! I’m actually finding I look at some of the stuff I have in my pulk and wish I didn’t bring as much as I have. We should be travelling as light as possible when covering this kind of distance in this environment. I have layers and layers of spare clothes, most of which I won’t wear. It doesn’t matter how dirty my current clothes get, we’re going get a shower at the end of this. It’s all excess weight that we have to drag along behind us.
What will you eat for dinner tonight?
We have a selection of casseroles from military style ration packs; unfortunately there’s not really the option to get creative with food out here. It can get pretty frustrating having nothing but beef stew for six days straight and after a few days you are constantly thinking about food, like bizarre little candies and treats you used to have as a kid. But by the time you get into your tent you’re just keen to get something down you.
How would you describe the journey so far in one word?
Alan: Inspirational
Andrew: Cold
Richard: Humble
If you want to ask Polar Vision any Qs of your own, or to find out more or donate to their chosen vision related charities, see http://www.polar-vision.org/.
 |
