Page 17 - 2023 AMA Spring

to a route that would ultimately be a record-breaking distance.
In hindsight, I can see that this was perhaps a little arrogant and fool-hardy, but my original thinking was that I’d spent a lot of time and experience working in Norway and I knew I had a high level of robustness, which was proven through my career. How hard could it be?!
THE DISCUSSIONS
The next step was to speak with Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE, the company that provides logistics and support to the majority of Antarctic expeditions) to make sure my plans were feasible and to find out what I’d have to do to start the crossing. I arranged to meet Steve Jones, the ALE Expeditions Manager, at a Waitrose café just off the M40. As I drove to the meeting, I thought he was seeing me out of politeness before telling me to stop wasting his time. We spoke about my
prior experiences and experiences, what I was looking to achieve, and discussed potential routes and pitfalls before we parted ways. To my surprise, Steve agreed to my route suggestion on the proviso that I completed some further training that included a three-week unsupported expedition and some specialist skills that I may require on the crossing.
THE OUTCOME
The 2000km route that will take me across Antarctica was set, beginning at Berkner Island and finishing at the base of the Reedy Glacier via the South Pole. In total, this route is approximately 500km further than any other unsupported solo Antarctic crossing in history. The route is shown very simplistically in the picture with the start, at Berkner Island, in the north and the finish point, on the Ross Ice Shelf, to the south.
ENCOURAGING OTHERS
Soon after, I started to seriously plan the expedition. I realised that this was one of my methods for coping with the extreme change of circumstances coming straight into lockdown and feeling slightly lost personally and pro- fessionally. I’ve always enjoyed having large-scale goals as I find it focuses me and allows me to contemplate in a meaningful and productive way. I believe that proactive methods and channelling effort towards positive outcomes or ambitions can be an excellent way to maintain positive mental well-being. For this reason, the expedition has partnered with two amazing charities; Rock2Recov- ery and Movember. Both champion prevention and early intervention towards maintaining positive mental health and do some fantastic work in
Sam Cox
this area. With this in mind, if you have a goal on your to-do list, just have a go, no matter how big or whether you are a complete novice at it. Take that first leap, it’s always the hardest. It’ll be worth it in the end.
YOUR INPUT
Let me know if you want to know about any specific topics or if you would like me to delve into more details on these blogs and I will always do my best to provide the information, whether directly, through a blog, or with a post on social media!
If you would like to join me and become part of the Frozen Dagger team on this journey as a sponsor or an expedition partner then please get in touch through info@frozendagger. co.uk.
Training Underway
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