Just as the fall climbing season in the Himalaya begins to wrap up, the 2013 Antarctic expedition season is just about to get underway. As usual, there are a host of explorers heading to the frozen continent this year, most of whom will be making the journey on skis to the South Pole. The first of those explorers will hit the ice today, officially launching another season of adventure at the bottom of the world.

The first team to hit the ice is will be Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, the two men who are taking part in the Scott Expedition. They are on a plane out of Punta Arenas, Chile this morning and are now making their way towards Patriot Hills in Antarctic to start their journey. As you may recall, Ben and Tarka will attempt to make an unsupported round trip excursion to the South Pole and back, starting and ending at the Ross Ice Shelf, while following along the same route that Robert Falcon Scott took on his fateful expedition more than a hundred years ago. If successful, they'll be the first to complete the 1800 mile (2897 km) sojourn that claimed the lives of Scott and his men.

You can follow the expedition on their website, Twitter feed and Facebook page. The team is carrying a lot of communications gear and plans to making daily updates and dispatches to keep everyone informed of their progress. That's a far cry from Scott's days when the ultimate fate of the men wasn't known for months. But for those of us who enjoy learning about expedition life in the Antarctic and the challenges the explorers face, these updates should prove extremely interesting. The next time we hear from them, they will hopefully be in the Antarctic and preparing for the start of the expedion.

Ever wonder what kind of logistics are involved with getting an expedition such as this one off the ground? Then you'll want to watch the video below which shows Ben and Tarka preparing some of their gear. More importantly, it shows them packing their food, which is a painstaking task that takes a great deal of time but is absolutely necessary for survival out on the ice.

The 2013 Antarctic season is still three months from getting underway and yet it is already shaping up to be an interesting one. Last week I told you about the husband and wife team of Chris and Marty Fagan who will be heading to the South Pole together in November and yesterday I received word about an even more ambitious expedition. In December, 19-year old Parker Liautaud will attempt to set a new speed record for skiing to the South Pole, covering the distance from the Ross Ice Shelf to 90ºS in just 22 days.

The expedition is set to begin, weather permitting, on December 3. On that date, Parker will embark on a 400 mile (643 km) journey to the Pole that will be a true test of his endurance and dedication. If he hopes to break the speed record he'll need to average 18 miles (29 km) each and every day, which is a lot to ask in an environment like the one he'll find in the Antarctic. Even during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere conditions can be challenging there. Temperatures will routinely fall between -28ºC (-18ºF) and -60ºC (-76ºF). High winds, whiteout conditions and sudden snow storms can all make it tough for him to complete those distances. If he is successful, he'll also become the youngest man to ski the full distance to the Pole as well.

Despite his young age, Parker is no stranger to polar exploration. He has skied to the North Pole on three separate occasions. Those were all "last degree" journeys however and his journey to the South Pole will be the full distance. His visits to 90ºN have all been guided by veteran polar explorer Doug Stoup as well. There is no word on whether or not Doug will join Parker on this journey too. The press release detailing the expedition says that it will be "unsupported" but there is no mention of whether or not it is also "solo." (Update: I've heard directly from Parker that Doug will indeed join him on this expedition!)


In keeping with the themes of his previous expeditions, Parker will once again be drawing attention to climate change, global warming and its effects on the polar ice caps. While he is skiing to the South Pole he will be taking samples of the snow that he passes by each day and he will deploy a brand new, lightweight weather station that will collect data in realtime. The hope is that through the samples and data collected, we'll begin to learn a little bit more about how climate change is impacting the Antarctic.

You'll be able to follow Parker when he gets underway at WillisResilience.com. Currently there is a clock there counting down the days until the start of expedition as well as some more info about the he hopes to accomplish while traveling through the Antarctic.

The calendar may read August but we're still long over due for a good skiing and snowboarding video. We received one last week in the form of this trailer for Valhalla, the latest from Sweetgrass Productions which is due out on September 13. If this doesn't get you in the mood for winter, nothing will. And don't worry, the slopes will be open before you know it.

Sweetgrass Productions' VALHALLA - Trailer 2 from Sweetgrass Productions on Vimeo.

The 2013 Antarctic season is still several months off but we all know that the keys to a successful expedition begins long before the teams ever hit the ice. With that in mind, the husband and wife duo of Chris and Marty Fagan are training hard for their attempt at skiing to the South Pole later this year as they hope to go unsupported to the bottom of the world.

The Fagans are already accomplished outdoor athletes. Both are ultra-runners and climbers with multiple 100 mile (160 km) trail runs and summits under their belt. In fact, the two first met while both were climbing Denali on separate expeditions back in 1998 and they've been practically inseparable ever since. The couple has a 12-year old son, who will not be joining them in the Antarctic.

The couple is planning on launching their South Pole expedition on November 23, although their exact schedule will obviously be dictated by the weather conditions. They'll start at the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf and cover 560 miles (901 km) on their way to 90ºS. They hope to wrap up the journey in just 45 days as that will be the amount of food they'll take with them when they get underway. In order to stay self-supported while out on the ice, they'll be pulling 180 pound (81 kg) sleds filled with gear and supplies. To prep for that kind of a load, the couple has augmented their traditional ultra-marathon training by dragging tired behind themselves for hours on end.

Chris and Marty have dubbed their expedition 3 Below Zero which they say is a reference to the members of their team. In addition to the couple themselves, the third member of the squad will be their friends, family and followers who will be cheering them on from home as they travel south. If thats the case, they can count me as a member of the team then as I'll certainly be following along.

Thanks to ExWeb for the tip on this story.

Outdoor Retailer is less than a week away and the product announcements are already arriving in my email inbox with surprising regularity. One of the latest press releases to catch my attention comes our way courtesy of The North Face, which has announced a new line of apparel specifically designed to meet the training needs of outdoor athletes.

The new line of gear will be available starting in January 2014 and will fall under the "Mountain Athletics" brand which will include both clothing and shoes. TNF will offer four products at launch including the Kilowatt Jacket, short sleeve shirt and shorts. The Killowatt Ultra, a lightweight minimalist training shoe will released later in the spring of 2014.

Each of these products is the result of a collaboration between The North Face and Mountain Athlete gym located in Jackson, Wyoming. The facility is a strength and conditioning center that focuses on preparing outdoor athletes for big challenges, with a particular focus on skiing and snowboarding, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering and ultrarunning. A number of TNF sponsored athletes train at the gym and played a role in creating and testing the Mountain Athletics line.

The new gear will get a tough field test later this fall when ultrarunner Mike Wolfe will attempt to set a new speed record on the John Muir Trail. The current record was set by Brett Muane, who completed the 211 mile (340 km) route in just 3 days and 9 hours back in 2009. Brett, who will be joined by fellow endurance athlete Hal Koerner, will be training for the record-setting attempt using the new Kilowatt gear. The rest of us will have to wait for it to be released next year before we can give it a go.

I'll be on hand at OR next week to check out the gear for myself. I'm looking forward to seeing the new line and what it brings to the table for outdoor athletes. I'll try to snag some photos that I can share on Facebook and Twitter while I'm there.

It's been awhile since we had one of those "people are awesome" videos, but the one below makes up for the long wait. It shows all manner of men and women doing extraordinary things, often in some fairly extraordinary places. As the name implies, much of the video was captured on a GoPro camera, which gives the footage an even extra personal touch. Lots of fun, inspiring stuff here. Enjoy!

Camp 4 Collective has released their 2013 highlight reel which is meant to show off the incredible work that they produce. We already know they're fantastic at their jobs however, so the video ends up inspiring ideas for future adventures while showcasing some of the most amazing landscapes on the planet. If you're looking for a bit of adventure in a three-and-a-half minute dose, then look no futher than the video below. It's breathtaking images will have you lacing up your boots and spinning the globe looking for your next destination for sure.

Tip of the hat to the Goat for sharing this.

CAMP4 COLLECTIVE 2013 REEL from Camp 4 Collective on Vimeo.

Salomon makes some of the best outdoor gear around and apparently they make some pretty good commercials too. The video below is a new marketing spot that puts more of an emphasis on their philosophy for making great products that allow us to enjoy our outdoor adventures, rather than on the products themselves. It features some beautiful shots of some fantastic outdoor places and images of people pursuing their passions in those places. It is a great video and one that will leave you wanting to lace up your trail shoes and head out for your favorite trail.

A British adventurer passed away last Saturday while attempt an unsupported crossing of Greenland with two friends. The three men lost their tent in the high winds of a massive storm and were left completely exposed to the elements. The incredibly cold temperatures, high winds and snowy conditions all contributed to the fatality. The other two men suffered severe frostbite and shock.

Philip Goodeve-Docker and his companions, Andy Norman and Roan Hackney, were just two days into a planned 30-day crossing of Greenland on skis. Their journey would have covered 400 miles (643 km), but they had barely gone anywhere before they were hit by a "Piteraq", the local name for deadly blizzards that often occur on the landmass.

The three men were stranded by the storm last Friday and immediately called for help when they lost their tent. But a rescue team was miles away and the blizzard made it impossible for them to arrive on the scene any earlier than Saturday. By the time the SAR team reached the three men, Goodeve-Docker  had already frozen to death. His companions were evacuated to the closet hospital where they are being treated for their exposure and shock. They are expected to make a full recovery.

This is more sad news for the adventure community, but a sobering reminder of just how bad things can go at times. Particularly when traveling in some of the coldest, harshest environments on the planet. Greenland is quite the polar challenge and this was an expedition that Goodeve-Docker had been looking forward to for some time.

My condolences to Phillip's friends and family, and hopefully Andy and Roan will make a speedy recovery.

With all of the news coming out of the Himalaya the past few days a few other stories didn't get the attention they deserved. For instance, while we were all embroiled in the soap opera taking place on Everest, British adventurer Gavin Bate completed his expedition to the Magnetic North Pole. You may recall, Gavin was skiing to that point in an effort to raise funds for his Moving Mountains Trust, an organization focused on sustainable development projects in Kenya, Nepal and Borneo.

When he set out from Resolute Bay on April 4, Gavin began skiing toward 78° 35’N, 104°11’W, the site of the Magnetic North Pole as it was recorded back in 1996, when the first Polar Race was held. The journey would cover 550km (341 miles) through one of the coldest and most inhospitable environments on the planet. Along the way, the British adventurer faced temperatures that dropped to -40ºC/F, high winds that made it feel even colder and blizzards that lasted for days. Just this week, a few days from the finish line, Gavin and a few traveling companions even had a close encounter with a large polar bear who decided to pay them a visit in the middle of the night.

On Tuesday, at 9:30 PM local time, Bate and his companions completed a long 35km (22 mile) final push to reach the Pole. They covered that distance over a period of 13 hours, arriving at their destination exhausted, yet happy and satisfied. The journey wasn't quite over yet however, as the team had to ski an additional 28km (17 miles) yesterday to reach an airfield at Isachsen, a remote weather research station in extreme northern Canada. It was the closest point to the Pole where a plane could land to retrieve them.

The expedition was called Race Me To The Pole as Gavin invited us to follow along at home and match his distances traveled with pledges. For every £1 (approximately $1.50) that was donated to the Moving Mountains Trust, 25 meters was added to the virtual race total. The plan was to have the donations total enough cash to reach all the way to the Pole ahead of Gavin. That didn't happen, he won the race, but donations have totaled more than  £14,278 ($22.191) anyway. That represents a distance of 354km, which is an impressive number to say the least. The organization is still accepting donations even though the race has come to and end. Click here to jump to the donation page.

Congratulations to Gavin for a job well done.

There are so many amazing athletic competitions taking place on our planet that it is impossible to keep track of them all. Take for instance, the Expedition Amundsen race that took place a month ago on the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda in Norway. The race is 100 km in length (62 miles) through some of the toughest and most remote backcountry in all of Europe. To put it mildly, this is a tough race under the best of conditions.

But the 2013 edition of the race didn't take place under the best of conditions. Part way through the event, a storm rolled through the region, stranding 63 of the 136 competitors in their tents for more than 36 hours. They sat out the storm before proceeding to the finish line, where the race leaders were able to cross before things took a turn for the worse. All told, 51 racers were forced to withdraw due to the extreme weather and difficult conditions.

The video below gives you a sense of what this race is all about. It looks like it was brutal out there, but fortunately everyone got home in one piece.

We already knew that Prince Harry had an adventurous streak. In 2011 he joined a team of soldiers who had been wounded in battle on a trek to the North Pole. Harry is the patron of the Walking with the Wounded organization and although other obligations (namely is brother's royal wedding!) kept him from going all the way to the top of the world, he still felt it was important to be there with his companions. It turns out the Prince has an affinity for the cold places of our planet, as he now intends to join another team that will race to the South Pole later this year.

According to this article in the Daily Mail, Harry will once again join a team of skiers from the Walking with the Wounded foundation as they attempt to ski to 90ºS. But it seems that is just the tip of the iceberg (pun fully intended!) on this expedition. The team will actually represent the U.K. in a race to the South Pole, which will also include teams from the U.S. and one from the Commonwealth countries of Canada and Australia.

The article is scant on details although as you would expect, the competitors in this race will travel to the Antarctic in November and they have an eye on wrapping up the expedition by December 17. That would lead me to believe that this is a Last Degree journey to the Pole and not a full length expedition. We'll probably have to wait until the 2013 Antarctic season draws nearer before we'll know for sure.

One of the impressions I took away from Harry's 2011 polar expedition is that when he is with the other members of the team, he is just one of the guys. Everyone comments on how down to Earth he is and how good it is to have him on these expeditions. I get the impression that he truly likes doing these adventurous activities and perhaps a visit to the polar regions is a nice escape for him. After all, how many paparazzi are there a the Poles?

The 2013 North Pole season has been a non-starter so far this year, but we're about to get a few adventurers heading out on Arctic adventures. The Barneo Ice Camp is now set to open early next week, which will grant access for last degree skiers to the North Pole. But on the other side of the planet adventurer Gavin Bate is preparing to embark on a long distance polar trek that will culminate at the Magnetic North Pole.

Gavin should arrive in Resolute Bay, Canada sometime today and he plans to embark on his 550 km (341 mile) journey on Monday. He'll then travel on skis, pulling a sledge filled with his gear and supplies, toward the MNP. That means he isn't headed toward 90ºN, which is the location of the Geographic North Pole, but will actually be skiing to 78° 35’N, 104°11’W, which was the location of the Magnetic North Pole in 1996. That position was marked for the first Polar Race, and although the MNP moves over time, it has remained a landmark ever since.

In the spirit of that Polar Race, Gavin has named his expedition the Race Me To The Pole. He'll be going solo on this journey but he is inviting supporters to race him to the finish line by donating to his cause. The explorer is using the expedition to raise funds for his Moving Mountains Trust, an organization dedicated to sustainable development in Tanzania, Kenya, Borneo and Nepal. Every £1 ($1.50) is worth 25 meters of distance and the hope is that those donating to the charity will actually raise enough money to cover the 550 km distance before Bate does.

You'll be able to follow Gavin's progress on RaceMeToThePole.com. While this won't be a full distance journey to the North Pole, but it will still be a good challenge. Considering how few expeditions to the Arctic we've seen over the pat few years, it's good to have one to follow this spring. Good luck to Gavin on this endeavor.

A few weeks back I wrote about an impressive new film called The Alaskan Way that is set to make its debut at adventure film festivals this spring. That film takes a look at the risks and rewards of outdoor adventure centered around heli-skiing in the Alaskan backcountry. Ben Clark, the filmmaker behind the project, is a veteran of 15 Himalayan expeditions including a successful summit of Everest. In continuing of his exploration of the themes explored in that film, Ben has written an insightful and thoughtful piece for the Osprey Packs Blog entitled "Looking Back is Moving Forward" in which he shares some of his harrowing experiences during his climbing career and the decision he made to step away from those dangerous pursuits when he finally felt like he was cheating the odds.

At the beginning of the article Ben puts his obsession with climbing into perspective by telling us the impact the sport had on his life between the ages of 20 and 32. It became an all consuming passion that drove him quite literally to new heights as he scaled and then skied back down a number of big mountains. It was more than just something that he did in his spare time. It was a way of life and he went to great lengths to chase his high altitude dreams.

But the more he pursued his passion the more often it put him into a position of high risk. Ben shares stories of hanging precariously from a rock face in a remote valley in China where one wrong move would have sent him plummeting to his death. He also talks about huddling on a ledge in the Himalaya for five days while he and his teammates waited for a storm to pass. As those incidences became more frequent, it forced him to reevaluate his goals and the level of risk he was willing to accept. All of that came to a head on a climb last year during which he decided it was time to "press pause" to consider what was important to him in his life at this point.

This article puts readers directly into the mind of a mountaineer and gives good insights into what they thing about when weighing the risks of the things they do. I think you'll finding a fascinating read to say the least.

Click here to read it in its entirety.

I know that for many of my readers spring is now just a few days away. But if you simply can't get enough fresh powder and other winter conditions, outdoor apparel company Mons Royale has just the contest for you. The company known for its stylish and technical clothing made from merino wool is looking to send one lucky winner to New Zealand for a backcountry snowboard adventure of a lifetime.

Entering the contest couldn't be easier. Simply visit the Mons Royale Facebook page and hit the "like" button or follow them on Instagram at #monsroyalewintervibes. Then, upload an original photo that best conveys the sense of the joy of the winter lifestyle, whether thats carving a perfect line, catching some big air in the pipe or something else entirely. Get creative, have some fun and do something unexpected. And once the image is uploaded, start sharing it with friends and family to garner votes and attention for your image.

And the grand prize if your images is selected at the winner? An all expense paid trip to New Zealand for some of the best snowboarding and skiing on the planet. The winner will get to drive a rental 4x4 for their entire visit and receive free passes from Treble Cone, Cardrona and Snowpark NZ. They'll even get to fly into the famous Wanaka backcountry to go heliskiing on untouched powder. And at the end of the day, they'll relax at the luxurious Oakridge Resort and Spa in beautiful Lake Wanaka. And if that wasn't enough, they'll also receive a $3,000 Mons Royale shopping spree. Find out more on the official contest page by clicking here.

Seems like a pretty great prize for someone who just can't get enough time on the slopes. Good luck everyone, I hope one of you gets to visit NZ later this year.

On March 13, 2012 heli-ski guide Rob Liberman and his client Nick Dodov were skiing in the Alaskan backcountry when they were caught in an avalanche and killed. Their deaths sent a shockwave through the extreme skiing community who mourned their deaths while at the same time celebrating their zest for life and pursuit of adventure.

At the time of the accident, filmmaker Ben Clark was in Haines, Alaska where he was making a documentary featuring a group of talented skiers and snowboarders who had come to that remote town to train with Alaska Heli, a well-known and well-respected guide service. The original vision of the film was to show the dedication, training and focus that a ski guide must possess in order to be successful in this competitive and challenging career, while giving us a glimpse of the sport that is very different from the glitzy ski and snowboard films we're use to seeing.

Following the accident, Clark could have taken the film in a number of directions, possibly capitalizing on the sensationalistic nature of the story. But the film stayed true to its roots, delivering a no-frills look at the hard work and training necessary to become a heli-ski guide. It just happens to also have a tragic element that casts a large shadow over the entire story.

The film, which is entitled The Alaskan Way, is now complete and will soon be premiering at upcoming film festivals and as part of a 25-city tour. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the movie and came away very impressed with the compelling storytelling that refuses to pander to the audience nor lead them around on an emotional leash. In fact, the film doesn't focus much on the accident at all, saving those scenes until almost the very end. Despite that however, it still managed to leave me asking questions and thinking about what I had seen long after I had finished watching.


Speaking with the filmmaker directly, Clark told me that's exactly what he had in mind when he started editing the The Alaskan Way. His goal from the beginning was to show how dedicated these ski guides are to their lifestyle. They know that there is some inherent risk that comes along with the job and they accept that whenever they head out into the backcountry. But the film doesn't use that as some kind of  justification for the pursuit of dangerous activities. Instead, it leaves it up to the viewer to ponder those things for themselves.

If anyone understands those questions, it is Ben Clark. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you might recognize his name. Ben's climb of Everest was the subject of the early seasons of The Rest of Everest video podcast, and later we followed along as he skied the Himalaya. Ben told me that he felt like it would be hypocritical of him to try to put a spin on the question of whether or not it is safe to ski in the backcountry or pursue other potentially dangerous activities. Instead, he tells the story and lets us make our own decisions. He did confess however that the deaths of Liberman and Dodov have altered his perception of what is acceptable risk when he embarks on his own adventures.

The trailer for the full film can be found below. It will give you a sense of what you can expect when the The Alaskan Way starts hitting the adventure film fest circuit in the weeks ahead. It is a thought provoking and intriguing look at the nature of adventure and choices we all must make in pursuit of our passions. Hopefully you'll all get an opportunity to catch it soon.


The Alaskan Way from Godu Productions on Vimeo.

Yesterday it was announced that 2Xu has signed a three-year deal to be the official compression gear sponsor for skier Ted Ligety. The company, which is already the official compression supplier for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has now entered into a partnership with the 2006 gold medalist and four-time World Champion until 2015.

Now, typically this isn't the kind of story I'd share on the Adventure Blog, but I'm a recent convert to 2Xu gear. I bought a pair of their compression shorts for running back in December and have fallen in love with the quality and performance of the product. At the same time, I also picked up a pair of compression socks, which I was told could aid in recovery and preventing injury. Since then, I've been wearing those socks after every long run and I have to admit my legs don't feel nearly as tired and spent the following day.

I haven't tried the company's Thermal Compression line, which is what skiers and snowboarders use, but I'd be willing to bet that they're excellent as well. In fact, I intend to add more of their gear to my outdoor wardrobe in the near future based on just how much I already like the products I have.

If you're a runner, triathlete, cyclist, swimmer or skier/snowboarder and you're looking for quality compression gear for your next competition or workout, I'd give 2Xu a big thumbs up. It is a bit pricier than the stuff you're going to find in your local big box store, but we all know that when it comes to performance gear, you get what you pay for. This is is impressive gear to say the least and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

Speedflying is a unique melding of skiing and paragliding. Those who take part in the activity climb up a mountain then proceed to ski back down, using their parachute to gently lift them over obstacles or see them down particularly steep slopes. It is an interesting mix of outdoor sports to say the least and the results are often spectacular.

Recently the GoPro BombSquad went to Alaska to put their skills to the test. The result is the short but excellent video below that captures them skiing through fresh powder and sailing through the air. They make it look effortless and fun, but I don't think you'd ever catch me trying this.


GoPro: BombSquad Alaska TV Commercial from GoPro on Vimeo.

One of the biggest upcoming expeditions that I have been anticipating is the first-ever winter crossing of Antarctica led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The 3200km (2000 mile) journey would test even the heartiest of explorers, exposing them to temperatures as cold as -90ºC/-130ºF as they battled incredibly high winds and massive snow storms in what some consider the most challenging polar adventure left to do. Today we learned however that Fiennes has now been forced to pull out of the expedition after contracting severe frostbite while training.

Fiennes and his teammates have been in the Antarctic for several weeks now, putting the final touches on their preparations to launch their trans-continental trek. He and his companions were on a training exercise when Fiennes took a spill, damaging his ski bindings in the process. The famous explorer than proceeded to remove his gloves to fix the bindings in -30ºC/-22ºF temperatures which caused the frostbite. He is now waiting evacuation from the Antarctic to return to South Africa to receive treatment.

This isn't the first time that Fiennes has had to deal with frostbite. The veteran polar explorer has contracted it in the past on his numerous expeditions to the cold regions of our planet. In 2000, while traveling solo to the North Pole he had to be evacuated for the same reason. It was not long after that that he famously amputated his own finger tips to remove the necrotic area after his doctor urged him to wait until they were more fully healed. It is likely that that incident had an impact on him contracting frostbite once again.

The rest of the team is still proceeding ahead with their plans. They will depart on the Antarctic crossing on March 21 with several members of the team on skis, while others drive support vehicles behind them. We'll be able to follow their progress at the Coldest Journey website.

The BBC article linked to above indicates that Fiennes is absolutely devastated that he won't be able to join the team on this trek. Some believe that he saw this as a possible swan song to his career, capping an already impressive resume with one last grand adventure. Unfortunately that isn't going to happen. As soon as the weather clears, he will be on a plane back to South Africa.

Traditionally this is the time of the year when arctic expeditions begin to ramp up, particularly with skiers attempting to go to the North Pole. As I've mentioned numerous times in recent weeks however, that is becoming a more difficult prospect with each passing year and fewer and fewer adventurers have set their sights on that difficult journey.

But that doesn't mean the arctic doesn't have plenty to offer in terms of other challenges and there are still plenty of opportunities to explore its icy landscapes. Take the Svalbard Solo expedition for example, which will send Liam Wilton on a month-long journey through Norway's Spitsbergen island, the largest in the Svalbard archipelago.

Wilton intends to set out in early-March on what will be a 450 mile (724 km) unsupported and unassisted ski expedition through the Arctic. He'll spend the first week acclimatizing near Longyearbyen, the largest settlement on Spitsbergen. Those early days of the expedition will give him the opportunity to get use to the cold temperatures while also testing his gear and supplies. Once he completes that work, he'll launch the expedition proper, heading north to the furthest reaches of the island.

Liam has set a goal of covering approximately 15 miles (24 km) per day, which would mean he should finish the route in about 30 days. Along the way he intends to shoot video of the landscape and his travels through it with the intention of making a short film about solo arctic travel when he returns home.

The expedition is still a couple of weeks from getting underway and Wilton is busy getting his gear sorted and last minute travel details worked out. You'll be able to follow his progress on SvalbardSolo.com or through his Twitter feed.

Good luck Liam! Enjoy the experience.