Ice Warrior Expeditions - Arctic Pole Team 2010
purposeful, worthwhile, extreme expeditions
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Simon Lewis Age - 38 MD I am an individual motivated by challenges both personally and in business and I thrive on pressure and expectation to achieve a result. For me, the expedition imposes demands far removed from my usual business process and the requirement to raise financial backing, to learn new and enhancing life skills and to develop new technical abilities/skills is a challenge as difficult as the physical expedition itself. My personality profile is one of a disciplined, precise, rational thinker with a determination and perseverance to achieve goals. I am a problem solver and an enthusiastic team member …. I think I have what it takes! |
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Claire Mcaleer Age - 28 Scientist After studying for a degree in Natural Sciences at Clare College, Cambridge, I have recently completed an Engineering Doctorate at Southampton University, where I was sponsored by Rolls-Royce to perform research into aircraft noise reduction. I love being part of a team, and get huge satisfaction from working together to achieve a common goal. As a naturally energetic person, I have competed in a variety of sporting activities including gymnastics, swimming, rugby, rowing, and canoe polo. However, having never participated in polar travel, for me a trip to the Arctic Pole is entirely new and exciting! I am an adventurer at heart and am thrilled to embrace the spirit of exploration that is at the very core of this expedition! Claire's website - www.polarcommitment.com |
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Dom Larose Age - 31 Telecommunications Consultant I have harboured a dream to trek to the North Pole for many years, inspired by the tales of polar explorers past and present, the remoteness of the Arctic and the sheer beauty and mystery of the region. In undertaking this effort I am also motivated by two further factors, one personal and one scientific. Personally, the challenge that the expedition poses on so many levels – fitness, skills, time preparedness and mental – is a source of both motivation and natural trepidation. Secondly, the fact that Ice Warrior expeditions are always purposeful was the decisive factor in my choice of expedition. To be able in some small way to help provide fact-based data in support of understanding climate change is a major driver for me. |
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Ali Kershaw Age - 31 Patent Attorney I feel I want a challenge that is so beyond my comfort zone both mentally and physically that it will be a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity. Physically the trip will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Having done a Biochemistry degree at University and now working for a pharmaceutical company the idea of being able to help with crucial scientific research which will better help us to understand the affect of climate change in such a remote part of the world is also something I feel very strongly about and my love of Polar bears makes this a particularly personal goal for me. I have no doubt that it will be the single most incredible trip of my life and will affect my life more than I can imagine. It will be exciting, fun, dangerous, difficult, beautiful but, most of all, unforgettable. Ali's website - www.arcticali.com |
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Phil Thompson Age - 32 Business Analyst I’m a Business Analyst, working for the utilities sector, running projects to improve systems and organisations. I’ve always had an inclination to solve problems and help others. I’ve been involved in the outdoors from an early age, from ski instructing through to RYA Skipper before I was 17. I’ve always enjoyed teamwork in extremes, in sailing and the army, it’s the main aspect I enjoy. Ice Warrior offers support and experience of a level not found outside the highest level of polar exploring. They are capable of pretty much any exploration feat that can be dreamt up! The organisation provides a team to meet any challenge and offers challenges you could never think up. Phil's website - www.thearcticpole.com |
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Ian Belcher Age - 35 Communications Engineer Officer, Royal Air Force I joined the RAF in 1991 as an Electronics Technician. Being adventurous in nature I enjoy many sports, including windsurfing, skydiving, skiing and scuba diving. As a member of a team I am at my happiest when the team faces adversity and bonds together to achieve the common purpose. The idea of being part of a novice team that will be trekking through one of the most desolate and inhospitable places on the face of the planet to achieve a goal that has never yet been achieved, whilst undertaking essential scientific research, may sound insane but is incredibly appealing both from an adventurous and scientific perspective. How could anyone who truly wants to savour life and help to fully understand how fragile our planet is resist this opportunity, I certainly couldn’t! Ian's website - www.polarcommitment.com |
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Marcus Liddiard Age - 33 Jersey Businessman I was born and brought up on the island of Jersey. Despite a fair bit of travelling and working in some interesting places I have not yet found another place that I would prefer to live. My upbringing provided me with lots of opportunities to be involved in outdoor adventure pursuits. I have always particularly enjoyed any water based activities and there are few better places than Jersey to enjoy what the marine environment has to offer. It was while randomly searching the internet for some inspiration that I came across the Ice Warrior Arctic Pole Expedition. The purposeful and worthwhile nature of a world first goal combined with valuable/credible science grabbed my interest. I suppose that the goals of the expedition are a great match for what I want to achieve, whilst there is a strong element of personal challenge there is also an equally strong element of contributing to our understanding of the state of the environment. This really is an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the classic accounts of polar exploration whilst also assisting with the understanding of the very current issue we face in climate change. I can’t wait to get started. Marcus's website - www.jerseyicewarrior.com |
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Lee Howell Age - 39 Chief Fire Officer I was appointed as the Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in January 2009, responsible for 85 fire stations and 2200 members of staff. The Ice Warrior expedition to the Arctic Pole is the ultimate test of leadership, resilience and endurance. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to test myself against the most hostile environment, working as part of a team to achieve a world first and in doing so adding to the body of scientific knowledge and raising money for charity at the same time. It is an honour to be part of this expedition and to follow in the footsteps of great explorers. Lee's website - www.leadingfromthetop.co.uk |
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Louise Cameron Age - 32Journalist (and mum!) Highlighting the acceleration of the Arctic ice cap melt and providing information about the ice that is not available from satellites is my primary motivation for taking part in this expedition to the Arctic North Pole 2010. I first dreamed of polar adventure as a Dragon School girl learning about the legendary Scott of the Antarctic. I swore silently then that one day I too wanted to explore that frozen wilderness. However, the next few decades were so fast-paced, there was no time for a major expedition as I worked my way up the magazine food chain from features writer to features director. In 2007 I returned to London, went freelance, got married and edited a travel guide. In 2008, I had my first child. In early 2009, I applied and was selected for this mad venture. I am tremendously excited to have this amazing opportunity to learn new skills, get to know new people and work together to help educate my son’s generation on the stark realities of climate change. Website - www.louandnessontop.co.uk |
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Vanessa Lindsay PA/Office Manager I try to make the most of what the world and life has to offer and embrace most opportunities so when a friend, and now fellow expedition member, Louise Cameron asked me if I would be interested in going to the Arctic I immediately said yes. I have always marvelled at the stories of pioneers and explorers who have endured the elements in some of the most hostile places in the world but never thought I would ever have the chance to embark on such an adventure myself. Having studied Anthropology and Sociology at University I am really looking forward to learning more about the Inuit populations and their culture before embarking on the expedition. I know this expedition will take me far beyond my comfort zone, the idea of coming across a polar bear and walking on a frozen ocean fills me with absolute fear but I know it is a chance of a life time especially in an age when the environment around us is so fragile as the polar regions remind us. Website - www.louandnessontop.co.uk |
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Mark Dunn Age - 46 Prison Officer Born and bred in Devon I completed my schooling in Exeter and decided to join the Army. I travelled to various locations and carried out various duties from maintaining communications to Arms Explosive Dog Handler. Not long after moving to North Yorkshire and decided to apply to join the Prison Service. I completed my Officer training at the Prison Service College and now work in a Young Offenders Institute in North Yorkshire. I find the work varied and challenging. Having experienced the ‘University of Life’ I have never undertaken a challenge on this level before and I feel that this expedition is a once in a lifetime opportunity which I very much hope to fulfil. I have an interest in wild and remote areas so I looked into an Arctic Adventure that had a purpose to it and found Ice Warrior. I have completed training in Norway, Wales and Dartmoor and have found that the skills taught were of great benefit. I feel strongly that life is about living and an opportunity like this is something I do not want to miss. Given this training and with like- minded team mates this will be a truly fantastic adventure, raising global awareness and benefitting my chosen charity ‘Help for Heroes’. |
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Yolanda Nunez Age - 35 IT Professional She is the foreigner of the team, Basque born and bred she moved to UK 10 years ago in a quest to seek adventure and different opportunities and thrills that couldn’t find in her own country. This trilingual IT professional fluent in Spanish, French and English, progressed her career from being a hands-on Unix geeky to IT Management. She is also a musician, having studied classical music with the Speciality of Piano. She describes herself as an adrenaline junkie always on the go, as she needs to be involved in multiple activities, and most of the time involving the outdoors. She’s never been in an expedition of this calibre, the sense of adventure, the extreme conditions and the team spirit to conquer the inaccessible is what motivates her for being part of this Expedition. She knows is going to be tough by likes the challenge. |
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