VARIOUS: Belgium explorers prepare to walk across the North Pole using wind to power sails

Record ID: 359511

  • Title: VARIOUS: Belgium explorers prepare to walk across the North Pole using wind to power sails
  • Date: 26th January 2002
  • Summary: (L!2) LAKE LADOGA, NEAR ST. PETERSBURG, NORTHERN RUSSIA (JANUARY 26, 2002) (REUTERS) SLV/ SMV TWO BELGIAN EXPLORERS ALAIN HUBERT AND DIXIE DANSERCOER WALKING ON SKIS ALONG LAKE LADOGA TOWING BOAT ON SLEDS ALONG THE ICE WIDE OF THE TWO EXPLORERS WALKING ON ICE SLV ALAIN HUBERT PULLING SMALL RUBBER DINGHY ALONG ICE SMV ALAIN HUBERT FIXING TENT WITH SKI WIDE OF THE TWO EXPLO
  • Embargoed: 10th February 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LAKE LADOGA, NORTHERN RUSSIA, ANTARCTICA AND UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION, BELGIUM
  • City:
  • Country: Russian Federation Antarctica
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADZ42AEWDRTBSRDFZ15K7WB8MO
  • Story Text: Two Belgian explorers are preparing to make the longest ever unassisted trek across the North Pole, using the power of the wind in their sails.
    Two Belgian explorers preparing to make the longest ever unassisted trek across the North Pole will take a computer, a satellite telephone -- and a 44 magnum pistol, to ward off polar bears.
    Alain Hubert, 48, and Dixie Dansercoer, 40, are setting out in February from Russia's New Siberian Islands, bound for Ward Hunt in Canada, a 2,400 km (1,500 mile) route, 700 km (435 miles) longer than the record for unassisted polar crossings.
    The explorers have already crossed Antarctica in 1997 using power sails.
    "Our progression depends on the sail system. In Antarctica, when we did our crossing over almost 4,000 km (2,500 miles) we almost covered 300 km (190 miles) by sail, which is impossible in the Arctic Ocean. But nevertheless we have come up with the plan to cover that long a distance that requires the use of sails, as simple as that. If you don't use the sails we would never get to Canada," Dixie Dansercoer said.
    The explorers told reporters in Russia's second city St Petersburg that polar bear attacks would be just one of the dangers faced as they skied the route, towing sleds carrying 180 kilos (400 lb) of supplies.
    "The cold, maybe. Especially at the beginning of the expedition. Because it will be very cold and we won't get much light, 2 or 3 hours maximum. And when you start an expedition you have to take care of yourself for about two or three weeks. " Alain Hubert said.
    In the upcoming expedition the pair will make tests on ice along their route as part of research into drift patterns of Arctic ice.
    They will also use their computer and satellite phone to describe their adventures in daily updates on the web.
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