Three Irish explorers are in Canada preparing to reach the North Pole with neither mechanical aid nor dogs. Pat Falvey, Clare O'Leary and John Dowd will attempt the historic 784km journey by hauling more than twice their weight in supplies.
If successful, Falvey and O'Leary will join the fewer than 20 people who have reached the North and South Poles and the summit of Everest. The team faced a hitch this week when told that before they start their trip they must pay a bond of more than €80,000 in case they lose their places back from the Arctic with a fellow expedition and need to be rescued by the airline taking them to the start of their journey.
They hope to raise the money before leaving for the pole on March 1st. Falvey says he appreciates the need for the bond. "One thing as adventurers that we understand is that when somebody puts their lives on the line we don't expect others to put their lives or their finances at risk."