Anglo/American explorers head to South Pole

The Sub-Zero Antarctic Expedition is the first ever British-American two-man team to attempt to break the world record for the fastest unsupported team trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.

Veteran explorer Jason De Carteret, 41, from London and American adventurer Todd Carmichael, 44, from Philadelphia, USA, will ski the 745 miles to highlight the role Antarctica plays on stabilising the world’s environment.

On Tuesday 20th November 2007 Jason and Todd, who are currently in training for their epic journey to the bottom of the earth, will be dropped by ski plane at Hercules Inlet on the west coast of Antarctica.

For the next 40 days their route will take them over some of the roughest terrain and harshest conditions on the planet. They will battle bracing winds of 200km per hour as they trek through temperatures of down to – 72°c before they arrive at the South Pole.

Jason and Todd who hope to slash five days off the current team world record, will haul gear and supplies in two custom sledges for up to 14 hours per day. With little more than a tent, a stove, food, a PDA linked via satellite to the web and the parkas on their backs, they hope to arrive at the South Pole by New Years Eve (31st December 2007).

The Sub Zero Antarctic Expedition will draw attention to Antarctica through a dedicated expedition website (www.subzeroexped.com), which will be used as an educational tool by providing interesting facts about Antarctica and useful links to websites specifically focused on Antarctica and climate change. Audiences will also be able to find out what life is really like on the ice by reading the Team’s daily blogs.

The team will also promote Climate Care, a non-profit making organisation dedicated to assisting companies and people in their plight to lower carbon emissions. The Sub-Zero Antarctic Expedition will off-set all carbon emissions not only for the expedition but also for the team’s entire yearly carbon footprint. Jason and Todd will also further educate people on the fragility of the Antarctic via outreach programmes and by hosting a series of lectures and talks in schools in the UK and USA on their return.

Jason De Carteret, of the Sub-Zero Expedition team says “Both Todd and I are extremely excited about the prospect of setting a new world record. With the right planning we have a good chance of success. The expedition should attract a far and wide reaching audience and therefore give people the opportunity to learn more about Antarctica”.

Jason already holds the record for leading the fastest vehicle land crossing to the South Pole which was set in 2005/6. The present record for a ski trek to the South Pole was set in 2004 by a five-man South Korean team at 45 days, shattering the previous record of 51 days. If Jason and Todd complete their endeavour, they will be the eighth team to have ever succeeded.

For more information on the record breaking trek visit Subzeroexped.com.