Sponsors
Equipment Sponsors
"I may say that this is the greatest factor -- the way in which the expedition is equipped -- the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in order -- luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck."
- from The South Pole, by Roald Amundsen.
Whitby & Co.
In 1961, Major Aubrey Whitby founded Whitby & Co, a company built on strong foundations of quality, value and total commitment to customer service. From its early days and humble roots the company has rapidly grown to become one of the UK's established and respected wholesale distributors of leading international hardware brands. Today, the company stocks and supplies literally thousands of different premium brand products to trade customers throughout the UK.
Whitby HomepagePrinceton Tec - Apex Head Torch
With up to 60 Lumens of light output from a 3 Watt LED, the Apex is one of the most powerful LED headlamps in the world. It uses microprocessor technology to both regulate output and keep the user informed about useable battery life. Apex also uniquely utilises a proprietary heat dissipation system to allow continuously high output without having to shutdown. Supplied by Whitby.
Leatherman - Wave
Leatherman produce a range of multi tools, incorporating a bewildering array of functions. The Wave is their best selling tool and is a must have for any outdoor activity or expedition. Supplied by Whitby.
Alpina 1575
Alpina has over a century of experience in manufacturing footwear for use in winter conditions, their products are widely used by athletes and recreational skiers alike. Alpina designers pay particular attention to ensuring that their footwear is of the best fit. The Alpina 1575 is a ski touring boot which is based on a popular Alpina hiking boot design, with the fitting added to the sole to make the boot compatible with 3-pin 75mm ski bindings. Designers have also added Thinsulate insulation to provide added warmth. I chose the 1575 because of Alpina’s strong reputation in the ski boot market and because the 1575 best suited my requirements.
Alpina SportsSwix MT600 Ski Poles
Swix is the most recognised brand in Europe for x-country ski waxes and skiing accessories. With over sixty years experience in the ski industry Swix products have been delivering Olympic gold medals to athletes for decades. The MT600 poles incorporate large round ‘baskets’ which prevent the sticks from sinking into the snow when using them for balance, leverage, and propulsion, and the handles are coated in cork to provide extra grip through thick gloves.
Swix HomepageThrane & Thrane - Explorer 500
The Explorer 500 is a small and lightweight voice and broadband data communications device which allows access to the Broadband Global Area Network of satellites. This will allow me to update the expedition website from remote locations, check weather reports, reconnoitre the route using satellite photographs, and call for assistance in the event of an emergency. The North of Norway is near the satellite horizon - it is so near the pole that it can be very hard to acquire a satellite signal, however the Explorer 500 is still able to operate in these conditions.
General Dynamics Itronix HomepageGeneral Dynamics Itronix - Duo-Touch
Meeting military specifications for ruggedization, the Duo-Touch is built to perform in the kind of conditions which I will be facing. Its operating temperature range of -10°F to 140°F and capability to operate in rain down pours of 4 inches per hour, enable the Duo-Touch to survive extreme environmental conditions. The Duo-Touch has too many features for me to list in one paragraph suffice to say that its technical specifications and power far exceed the demands I will be placing on it. I chose the Duo-Touch because of its light weight, and ability to operate in sub zero temperatures - below zero the LCD screens in other laptops will freeze and shatter - making the Duo-Touch the only suitable piece of kit for this expedition.
General Dynamics Itronix HomepageSuunto - Vector
I first encountered Suunto products in the diving industry where they have an excellent range of dive watches and computers. The Suunto Vector is a wrist-top computer made for skiers, climbers and hikers. It incorporates a compass, altimeter, barometer, and of course a clock. I chose the Suunto Vector because of my experience using their diving watches as a scuba instructor. The compass makes a good backup, and the altimeter is a useful navigational tool.
Suunto HomepageHelsport - Trollspiret
Helsport is a Norwegian family company established in 1951, Out of all the tents I looked at for this expedition the Trollspiret was the best suited. The inner and outer sections can be integrated meaning that it does not have to be fully dismantled for stowage, this allows for one person to erect the tent even in extreme winds in under a minute - something practically impossible with other brands. Helsport tents also come with ‘snow flaps’ - skirts which allow snow to be piled around the sides, this prevents ‘spindrift’ (airborne snow) from being blown in between the tent sheets.
Helsport HomepageLife Systems - Mountain First Aid Kit
Lifesystems products provide outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travellers, mountain experts and professional medical teams with high quality healthcare equipment. Each item is specifically designed to prove simple solutions and ease of use in remote environments, extreme conditions or wherever your travels take you. Our designers work closely with experts in the field of outdoor first aid, protection from biting insects, water purification, sun protection and mountain survival to ensure our products are the best they can be.
Life Systems HomepageManfrotto - Digital Tripod 718B
Manfrotto are an Italian company who manufacture a large range of excellent photography accessories. The 718B is a rugged, simple to use camera tripod which incorporates a three way head, and a quick release attachment for the camera. The 718B has a large height when fully extended for its size, and comes with a carry bag.
Manfrotto HomepageAcapulka - Scandic Tour 150
Acapulka is a small company which produces some of the best designed expedition sleds. Due to the greater volume, this model can be used on longer cross-country skiing trips. The sled is not too long to still be easy to handle in different types of terrain. I chose Acapulka because the Scandic tour 150 is the widest pulk in its class, the width of the pulk contributes stability and helps prevent rollovers.
Acapulka HomepageÅsnes - Amundsen
Åsnes have been manufacturing skis since 1922. They have an unparalleled level of experience in the ski industry and are the brand of choice for arctic expeditions. Åsnes skis are especially well known for their high performance and quality. Common for most of Åsnes skis is the use of laminated wood core with camber and air channels built in the wood core. The wood material gives a strong and lively ski. I chose Åsnes because of their strong reputation and pedigree.
Åsnes HomepageOlympus - Mju 770 SW
The Olympus Mju 770 SW is a tiny digital camera which has video capability. Encased in tough steel it is shock proof, crush proof and waterproof to 10 metres. The 770 has literally been tested to destruction. If I had chosen another model or brand of camera I would have had to obtain a sealed plastic underwater case to protect it. The 770 also has a specially designed LCD screen to work in low temperatures - below freezing other LCD screens run the risk of shattering.
Olympus HomepageVango - Viper Sleeping Bag
Vango are a British company who have been producing tents and camping gear for over 40 years. I have used and trusted their products for many years. The Viper 1000 is their top rated sleeping bag , and supports usage down to -30 degrees centigrade. the Viper 1000 has down fill, which retains its insulation properties even when wet. The bag is constructed with internal trapezoid sections which prevents the down from moving and slows heat loss. other features include a specially designed hood and shoulder baffles to reatin warmth and prevent heat loss. I choose Vango because they are a British brand, and because I have used their gear sucessfully before.
Vango HomepageFirst Ascent
First Ascent is a specialist sales agency and distributor representing a portfolio of the world’s best outdoor brands and equipment. First Ascent are importers of Mountain Safety Research equipment - MSR - who produce some of the finest cooking and camping gear available used by mountaineers and expeditions around the world.
First Ascent HomepageCotswold Outdoor
Cotswold Outdoor is a stockist and retailer of camping climbing and mountaineering equipment, with one of the most comprehensive ranges of outdoor clothing and equipment in the UK. Cotswold have been kind enough to offer me a 20% discount on their products.
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