British man Pen Hadow has become the first solo explorer to complete a 478-mile trek along the most treacherous route to the North Pole.
Hadow's journey across the Arctic Ocean from Ward Hunt Island in Canada was previously attempted by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who was forced to abort his mission
after two weeks. Hadow took 64 days to complete the journey, setting a world record in the endurance challenge.
The hike is regarded as the equivalent of climbing Everest solo without oxygen.
Hadow, 41, has been beaten by severe weather conditions and injuries in two failed attempts on the route. To enter the record books, Hadow had to tow his fuel, food and camping supplies on a sledge weighing 150kg. He was not allowed any extra supplies on his two-month journey, which he began in mid-March.
The expedition has not been without its setbacks - Hadow has lost his skis, walked in circles and been menaced by polar bears and killer whales.
He has endured the journey on 20,900 kilojoules a day on a diet of salami, nuts and chocolate, and resorted to talking to his equipment to keep his spirits up. An inflatable device turned his sledge into a boat but on occasion he had to break through thin ice to swim across stretches of water. He has walked an average of 16km a day in temperatures as low as minus 45C.
- INDEPENDENT
