In March 2013, Ranulph dubbed the world’s greatest living explorer by Guinness World Records plans to begin a six-month expedition to cross Antarctica on foot during the southern winter.
The harshest and most barren area on the planet temperatures are known to plummet to as low as -90C during an Antarctic winter, so this excursion, in aid of the ‘Seeing is Believing’ blindness charity has been aptly named ‘The Coldest Journey’.
Only reading -90C is enough make the average Brit reach to put the kettle on so what is it that makes 68-year-old Ranulph plan such an extreme journey? The answer is simple, because it’s another world record to be broken and if he doesn’t try it someone-else will.
100 years-ago Captain Scott died during his polar expedition of Antarctica because he was caught off guard by the perilous conditions of the Antarctic winter. But with news of a group of Norwegian explorers apparently planning to attempt the same journey soon, Ranulph felt he had to act fast if he was to follow in Captain Scott’s footsteps and add this record to his already illustrious exploration career.
Ranulph’s previous endeavours have seen him become the first to reach both poles, climb Everest as a pensioner and run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days only months after suffering a heart attack. He was once even forced to amputate parts of his own fingers when suffering frostbite on an expedition to the North Pole. An experience not many people can say they have shared in.
Using his knowledge, skill and experience Ranulph is determined to break this world record on his latest expedition and the country no doubt will be behind him all the way, waiting cup of tea in hand for news from Ranulph and the team in Antarctica.
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