Date:	Thu, 21 Dec 1995 23:37:49 -1000
From:	Jim Cheetham <jim@iclnet.co.uk>
Message-Id: <30DA7C6D.659E@iclnet.co.uk>
Organization: ICL
Subject: British Antartic Attempt Abandoned

Just nicked the following article from the Electronic Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk

THE English explorer who attempted to become the first person to walk alone and unsupported across Antarctica
abandoned the expedition after discovering
that his sled was not suited to the polar snow and ice.

Roger Mear, 45, an experienced climber, mountain guide and former member of the British Antarctic Survey, said
yesterday that his sled sank into snowdrifts and
caused so much delay he radioed for help after 41 days on the icecap.

The Derbyshire explorer added that the sled, which carried 450lb of food and equipment with the help of a
para-wing - a kite - for the 100-day walk across the
sub-continent, had not been tested in Antarctic conditions.

He said at Heathrow Airport yesterday: "We had not tested in that kind of ice and I had not experienced
conditions like that before.

"What we had were two different types of snow. One, sustrugi, gets eroded by wind and is very rough. On top of
that, we had hoar, which you get in still areas.

"I thought I could deal with the conditions and it was a real disappointment but it was a rational decision"

"The sled kept sliding and sinking and I was losing time and wasting energy."

Mr Mear said: "This was not a suicide mission. I knew I would not have enough food to go the whole way, so I
called it off. I thought I could deal with the conditions
and it was a real disappointment but it was a rational decision."

During the walk, which began on Nov 4, he experienced temperatures of minus 34C and winds of 60 knots. He said
the equipment worked well apart from the sled
and he was happy with his diet.

Several days after his departure a Norwegian explorer, Borge Ousland, 33, a former commando, set out on the
same 1,657-mile journey in an attempt to beat Mr Mear
to the record. Mr Ousland is still walking.

Mr Mear used a radio beacon to contact his expedition headquarters and ask for a plane to pick him up on Dec 16
- after he had travelled under 500 miles.

He said: "My first thoughts when the rescue plane arrived were 'Thank God' because I knew weather conditions
could worsen at any time and then there might have
been no way out. I was approaching an area with lots of crevassing and I didn't want to get caught in that.

"I was in a vulnerable position in an area where winds reach up to 100mph. I knew that if my tent was destroyed
I couldn't survive for long. When things go wrong,
Antarctica is the cruellest, most unforgiving place on Earth."


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Date:	Fri, 22 Dec 1995 12:09:38 -1000
From:	karengus@rain.org (Karen Gustavson)
Message-Id: <4bfab2$t57@news.rain.org>
Organization: RAIN Public Access Internet (805) 967-RAIN
Subject: Re: British Antartic Attempt Abandoned

After being evacuated to Punta Arenas, Chile, Mear said:

	" Although I did not complete the crossing I took enormous 
	encouragement from it. We introduced many innovations for this 
	expedition, and with the exception of the sledge, they all worked better 
	than I had hoped."

Mear also said that his Modulus kite was magnificent, and without it he 
would have had greater difficulties. On his best day he reports having 
covered 58 miles. If the sledge had been functioning as intended he feels 
that 100 mile days could be accomplished.

-Karen Gustavson
-karengus@rain.org


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