BANCROFT AND ARNESEN SUSPEND ARCTIC EXPEDITION
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Damaged gear, frostbite, extreme cold combine to compromise explorers' safety
Statement from explorers to students and teachers who are following expedition included
WARD HUNT ISLAND, CANADA (March 12, 2007) -- World-renowned polar explorers and educators, Ann Bancroft and Liv
Arnesen, today suspended their historic expedition to the North Pole seven days in, citing severe safety concerns
due to a combination of damaged gear, frostbite and extreme cold.
By canceling their expedition, their safety concerns are no longer physically threatening, though the two feared
continuing the journey would have increased the likelihood of their endangerment.
They landed on Canada's Ward Hunt Island last Tuesday, when they began their expedition. On Saturday, they decided
to suspend the journey and return to Ward Hunt Island, which they reached yesterday. A plane will pick them up
today, weather permitting, and take them to Resolute, Canada, where this week they will fly back to the Twin Cities.
For the past 20 years the two have made history in various expeditions to both Poles, and have inspired millions
worldwide to pursue their dreams. Students follow their expeditions online, and Bancroft and Arnesen frequently
distribute updates to them. The goal of this year's expedition has been to raise awareness among students and adults
worldwide on the impact of global warming on the Arctic region. Even one week into this journey, classrooms
worldwide already were following their progress, submitting questions and offering messages of encouragement.
Bancroft and Arnesen have issued a joint statement to students and teachers at the conclusion of this document.
Bancroft (51, Scandia, Minn.) and Arnesen (53, Oslo, Norway) will continue to broadcast information about
International Polar Year and talk with students on the impact of global warming via: online reports, interviews
with other explorers, hosting scientists and other activities at www.BancroftArnesen.com;
and classroom visits.
They currently do not plan to continue the expedition this year, and have not made a decision for another attempt
next year or beyond.
Bancroft and Arnesen cite a combination of three primary situations that prompted their decision:
Frostbite
Arnesen has frostbite on three toes on her left foot, including the big toe, which is the most severely damaged.
After examining the foot, both have determined that continuing the expedition, which included the two traveling on
foot 16 hours a day in frigid temperatures, would significantly increase the likelihood Arnesen would lose one or
all of the damaged toes. By leaving now, they are confident Arnesen will not have to face having any of the toes
amputated.
Damaged Gear
On Wednesday last week, one day into the expedition, a plane landing near Bancroft and Arnesen collided with the
women's gear, puncturing a hole in Bancroft's sled and damaging one of Arnesen's snowshoes. The two spent the day
repairing the gear. While they initially thought the repairs were adequate for continuing the expedition unhindered,
in recent days they feel their gear was compromised, particularly on Arnesen's snowshoe, which is for the same foot
with frostbite.
Extreme Cold and Nighttime Conditions
The first few weeks of the expedition are, as expected, among the coldest of the journey, with darkness most of the
day and night. Bancroft and Arnesen in the initial days reported daytime temperatures as low as ? 58 F (-50 C). During
the night, they estimated temperatures at times to be as low as - 103 F (-75 C). With gear damaged and frostbite
setting in, the extreme cold was even further comprising their safety. Traveling any further in these conditions would
have made it more difficult and less safe to send in rescue operations.
The two will issue more details in the coming days and weeks at www.BancroftArnesen.com.
Joint Statement Issued by Bancroft and Arnesen to Students and Teachers
Bancroft and Arnesen have issued the following statement, which will appear on their Web site
(www.BancroftArnesen.com) beginning this afternoon.
"Sometimes in life it's the little things that add up to the big stuff. In our seven days on the ice here in the
Arctic, a series of events ? some unforeseen, some anticipated ? combined to give us great concern that it would
no longer be safe for us to continue our expedition.
"As a result, today (Monday) we will end our Arctic expedition when an aircraft takes us off the ice at Ward Hunt
Island in Canada, weather permitting. From here, we?ll fly to Resolute, Canada, to await a flight back to the Twin
Cities, Minnesota. Ann will return to Scandia, Minnesota, near the Twin Cities. Soon after, Liv will fly back to
Oslo, Norway."
"To the teachers and students across the globe who have been following our journey over this precious region, you
have inspired us with your interest and excitement. We've heard that many of you have sent us e-mail messages; we
look forward to reading upon our return. Here's why we decided to come back:
"Our gear was damaged last week on the first day of the expedition. We thought our repairs were sufficient, but in
recent days Liv began suffering frostbite in some of her toes. She'll be fine, but all indications were that if we
continued onward, she would have suffered permanent damage and may have even lost one or more of her toes. The deep
cold here only made matters worse. One night, outside our tent, we think it might have gotten as low as - 103 F
(-75 C). Even during the day, we measured ? 58 F (-50 C).
"We've each had 20 years' experience in the Arctic and Antarctic, and are fully aware of the dangers that can arise
when you don?t make safety your greatest concern."
"The goal of this expedition is to help you learn more about global warming; we realize that it is ironic that
frostbite and the cold temperatures contributed to our return. But, please know that global warming is real, and
with it can come extreme unpredictable changes in temperature. Evidence abounds within this region and in our few
days here we already observed some of its evidence."
"Our commitment to helping you learn more about global warming remains stronger than ever. Our team has spent many
months developing the www.BancroftArnesen.com site to help you understand more about global warming, and to learn
what you can do to prevent further climate change. We hope you'll continue exploring this site."
"In fact, we still plan to host an 'ask a scientist' interactive seminar on our site every week through the remainder
of the school year, where you can ask prominent scientists and other explorers about climate change. You can also take
an International Polar Year quiz and participate in other activities. Beyond that, we hope you'll continue talking
with your teachers, families and friends about slowing this trend."
"Right now we are focused on returning to our home countries, but in the weeks and months ahead we'll be sharing our
plans for our next adventures. Whether it's on the ice or in the classrooms, we look forward to speaking with you
soon. Best wishes, Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen."
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