The Financial Myth of Polar Exploration

Words: Tom Warburton

After one too many in the pub as a student, it was decided that I was finally ready to take the plunge into Polar exploration. I’d long been fascinated by the epic adventures and tales from my exploration heroes. From Shakleton to Rudd, there was one thing they all had in common. Money. 

Hardangervidda, Norway. Photo: Henk-Jan Geel.

Shackleton’s Trans-Imperial Antarctica expedition aimed to raise £60,000 to get going, nearly a staggering £7 million in today's money. There’s more, even as the age of exploration has progressed, commercial companies offering Greenland crossings will still set you back a cool £18 grand. That's not including all the personal equipment you need to bring with you. 

So that’s settled it, polar exploration is a rich man's game, right? Wrong. 

Even as a tight student, I planned several expeditions to the ultimate polar testing ground on the Hardangervidda plateau in Norway for less than a plain boring all-inclusive in the Costa del Sol. 

So how can you do it? - let's break this down.

Where are you going?

If you’re UK based I’d recommend somewhere like Norway or Iceland. Ryanair flies from Stansted to Oslo numerous times a week. Prices start at £21, if you book well in advanced, prices may even be lower. 

Now the one downside to using Ryanair, is you’re paying for a glorified bus in the sky, everything is optional, this includes the mass amount of luggage often needed for a polar expedition. Depending on how many days you’re out there for you could rely on just hand luggage if you're hiring gear. However, I’d recommend booking in one bit of hold luggage.

Another cheeky trick for flights is to wear all your gear, yes you will look like the Michelin man, but with the size of polar jackets and boots, you could need a completely separate bag just to put them in the hold. If you’re planning to make lots of friends on the flight back this may not be the best option for you. After a few days on the ice and sweating after several hours queuing in the airport, you’ll not be at your best hygiene wise.

Getting to the start line

You’ve landed in Norway or Iceland lets say. There’s no need to hire a team of locals to carry your equipment like Scott of the Antarctic. Do what the locals do. In many icy countries, with roads often being dangerous in the winter months, locals rely on a pretty impressive and extensive public transport system. 

In Norway, get straight off the plane, straight onto the national rail service. 

Now, this is a bit more pricey than the flights over. A train from Oslo to Finse will cost you around £55. However, for that price, you do get to travel on what has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world by Lonely Planet. 

Don’t sweat if you're worried about bringing bulky polar equipment on the train with you. I’ve yet to find a staff member who doesn't speak English, they’re more than accustomed and use to taking polar explorers up to Finse. In fact, the train may be a great place to meet some fellow polar adventurers. 

Now enjoy the journey through Norway's stunning fjords and snow-swept landscapes.

Equipment

Equipment can be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to any future polar plans. What equipment do I bring? How much will it cost? How do I use it? All the questions you may ask yourself. 

Get yourself onto Facebook and join the group Terra Glacialis. This will be your Bible, your saving grace need advice, just ask, want to borrow equipment? Just ask. Unsure on what you’re doing? Just ask. 

I've been stuck on the top of glaciers with a broken stove, cold, hungry asked for some assistance and before I knew it my stove was fixed, and I even had offers of people willing to ski up and meet me with a new stove to borrow. 

I’ve borrowed pulks through Terra Glacialis, had advice on travel and even made friends through the group. The admins and members are there to help, no question is too stupid. 

I also run “Team Polar Endeavour” which loans out equipment for future polar explorers hit us up on Instagram if you need any help. 

What about the food I hear you ask. Don’t worry about expensive high energy polar foods. Although essential for larger expeditions. If you’re starting nothing is stopping you pick up food from your local supermarkets. Pasta can be cooked anywhere! Depending on your route, you could be going from cabin to cabin or settlement to settlement, meaning you could be dined and wined every night. 

Guides 

Safety is paramount for any expedition, it goes without saying you shouldn’t go out if you don’t have the right equipment or the necessary skill set. 

Places like the Hardangervidda plateau have well-marked routes that make it pretty easy to get yourself going and come back safely. 

If you want a bit more help, don’t hesitate to ask around. Groups like Terra Glacialis are perfect. You might not find someone willing to join you on a spontaneous crossing of Greenland. However, some very lucky people live close to expedition training grounds. I’ve been lucky enough to find people willing to take me out for a day or two to show me the ropes and local routes. 

These people are especially great if you get into trouble later on your expedition and need some help!