Alan Inglis
"I'm thinking of going to the North Pole next year"
That was what started the idea on our last ski trip - Dave was thinking about retiring and was looking for something to do in 2006. Fortunately he had ruled out Everest as too dangerous, I think the stats show that 1 in 11 have died in the attempt - but come to think of it I have no idea what the toll at the North Pole has been.
At our first kick-off meeting with Alan Chambers we were told we did not need to be that fit and, in any case, 90% of the battle was a mental one. But what is "not that fit" coming from a guy in his mid 30's who have been constantly challenging himself in polar expeditions over the last 10 years? - I am 45 and it is definitely fitter than I have ever been. Training has started in ernest with tyre pulling at the weekends and the competitive edge is has already there with people trying to pull more tyres and walk faster than each other - so much for the advice not to over train!
The eldest (15 years old) of our three children thinks he is more suited to go to the Pole as he is strongerand a better skier than me - he is probably right but as the trip is right before his GCSEs he had no chance.
So do I have any fears about the trip? - I have always found the best approach is not too think too much about the risks but, if there is one, it is who will be first to pull me out if I go through the ice - I don't think you want to be in the water too long!
The idea of raising money for charity has come late in the process for me. I had always seen the trip as a rather selfish, possibly reckless proposition (as my wife and family have pointed out on one or two occasions), but having paid for the trip ourselves I can now see that there is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for one or two good causes.
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