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Daniel Rowe and colleague (could be either!) |
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It is always fun to hear of some of the activities that members of the Livery Company become involved, even if some events happened some time ago: As part of their ten year celebration, Jackson Rowe Associates (JRA) decided to sponsor the ‘Polar2000’ team of Royal Marines on their record-breaking expedition to attempt to walk unsupported to the North Pole, from the ‘Canadian side’, in May 2000. As part of the sponsorship, Daniel Rowe and fellow Directors travelled to the Arctic with a Royal Marine guide and bodyguard with the aim of flying to the North Pole (in a ‘Twin Otter’) from Base Camp in order to meet the four man Royal Marine team on the last leg of their expedition. The trip was a huge challenge and involved intensive preparation in terms of general fitness and survival training. Indeed, one week before leaving a Russian aeroplane had attempted to land at the North Pole, crashed into the ice and sunk beneath it (fortunately the ‘sightseeing’ passengers were all rescued and flown to safety), which set an interesting backdrop to the whole trip! |
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Daniel and colleagues were based at Resolute Bay, around 300 miles south of the North Pole which is the most northerly civilian settlement in the Arctic, inhabited by only 100 people including a world-renowned science research station which has featured quite heavily recently in the news concerning global warming. Mini-expeditions around Resolute Bay were undertaken. The trip offered a true insight into the activities of a Polar Explorer, reflecting the harsh life in the High Arctic. Daniel experienced first-hand living in arctic conditions with temperatures as low as minus 50°C surviving in snow holes, igloos and tents. The team explored this harsh region on skidoos, trekking, and using the explorer’s harness to man haul laden sledges across the pack ice. The whole experience was described as “ life changing”. We shall keep our ears open for similar antics! |
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Daniel “back home” |