So, my Virgin Giving site is now closed. I have raised a smashing £22,521.97 for Children with Cancer!

Thank you to all of my supporters and my loving with for her patience and support.

For anyone who is thinking of attempting ANY outdoor activities, I cannot recommend the Bolle eyewear products enough.

They operate brilliantly in glare or dim conditions, they are not phazed by sub-zero temperatures.  For me, they outshine their competitors.

Base layers – Bear Grylls (Craghoppers) Merino wool or the new Columbia base layer with the ‘foil’ on the inside – Omni heat.  Neither of these base layers had me feeling cold and throughout the expedition, I was toasty all the way for a very small price in weight (don’t forget I was dragging all of this).

My ‘wee’ bottle failed abysmally – make sure that yours is water tight!  Make sure that you test it beforehand.  I found out the hard way.

My Berghaus Aura jacket (without the fleece inside – too warm) was amazing.  Truly wind proof and very tough.

A huge thank you goes to my Expedition Sponsors.  Without your generousity, this would have not be possible.

– JACKS of Dunmow

– Vtesse

– HPEMS

– PCUBED

Collectively with the help of you and those whom have supported my fund-raising efforts, we are now approaching a target of £25,000 for Children with Cancer UK.  A truly amazing sum of money.

Thank you so much

Please click above (in the top menu bar) to see some of the pics from the expedition.  Over the next few weeks, I will be updating this.

Upon arriving in my local pub back in the UK on Sunday evening, I was greeted by most of the village who have supported me massively in this adventure.

Their support has been immense and I am truly grateful!!

Back online!
The helicopter from Barneo picked us up in camp and we waited in Barneo for some15 hours. Seemed to fly past as I spent time chatting with some really interesting people.
The flight back to Longyearbyen flew past (quite literally!) as everyone was asleep within minutes.
We have spent much of our time chatting to a TV crew at Barneo and Longyearbyen and it is likely that I will be appearing in a Channel 5 production called Destination: North Pole later this year.

Longyearbyen = sleep for me and Friday and Saturday is all about getting some well earned rest before getting back to the UK on Sunday.

Lots of pics to follow…….

It is a good thing Barneo had educating signs up to train them for the return to ‘our’ world…
Barneo, Thursday evening: Suddenly the helicopter was right on top of them. Hovering over their heads and making the last gasp packing pretty hectic. But soon they were on their way to Barneo. That will be a semi introduction to civilization. Toilets, engines, noise, activity – but first and foremost: a heated mess-tent. To get the first warm meal served sitting on chairs is always special.
The only danger to them now is Russian vodka. But, they are scheduled to an 05:00 flight tomorrow, so they may take it easy. Anyway, they will have a fantastic evening. Nothing is like sitting up there as other explorers come in. It will be for the ‘ice-heads’ only – on one hand it is good for all of us that they get it all out – on the other hand, nothing is more addicting than chatting with other explorers…
So, tomorrow around breakfast time, they will switch on their cell phones and meet the world. Start bombing them with greetings and sms’es!

Thursday 11:50 – Just this moment the helicopter is landing by their camp to pick them up and return them to the Basecamp at Barneo. They have actually drifted more than 10 kilometres from the geographical North Pole, so the ice is still moving a lot and breaking up, but their camp is well placed in safe ice.
Yesterday was a truly bonus day. They just relaxed, ate and played around. They found a lead and went for a swim! – While being great fun it also filled them with deep respect for the waters up there. It is quite something to swim and struggle around among slush and ice knowing you have 4000 metres of water below you.
But now their sights are on the return. We do not know for sure when they will be back in Longyearbyen, but it still looks like Friday is the best bet as the weather looks good. We should know later today.

April 18th, 2012
Waiting game
Posted in NORTH POLE 2012 | by Lars Ebbesen | No Comments »

Icecubes is in good stock, now for the drink
Wednesday evening: After having celebrated wildly the reality struck. They had been on their feet (skis) for some 24 hours and they soon collapsed into their sleeping bags. –The day today was spent relaxing, visiting the main tent, drinking coffee, chocolate, eating and enjoying the great sensation of having reached the Pole.
The next hurdle is to get back to civilisation. As it looks now, they are scheduled to be picked up by the chopper Thursday late afternoon. Then they will stay for a day at Barneo as different expeditions gather for a flight due back to Longyearbyen the Friday the 21st. That is a day before planned, and probably as fast as possible.
First chance to go home may be Saturday, but it is a bit early to be 100% sure of that.
Everyone sends their love, Stay tuned.

90° North. Deal Done!!!
05:50 – The North Pole
Wednesday morning: They did it! A long, hard and difficult night took them to 90° North.
But it was far from an easy task. The ice in the area broke up badly, parts was smouldered into slush and it was like a labyrinth. At one point they were afraid they would not get close to the exact point itself!
But they did. And just before six o’clock in the morning they could let the cheers loose. Out came cigars, cognac etc and it was wild scenes. The suspense of the last 24 hours let rip and they were just ecstatic.
Then they dived for the tent for some food, before they should give their body some long overdue sleep.
The next step we will learn about after 15:00 when they will contact Barneo again to plan for the return to start.