North Pole Reached

Blocked by huge ice bolders and broken ice

On April 19th, the expedition party made it to the North Pole (N90 00 000). We had been walking for ten days and covered approximately 75 miles. When we reached 90 degrees North, it was a bright, sunny day with temperatures around -20 C (the day before the temperature had been as low as -35C with windchill). See the gallery for photographs of the North Pole on April 19th. We then set up our tents and stayed the night but only after an appreciative consumption of frozen cigars and the finest Bushmills whiskey.


Kevin at the North Pole, N90° 00 000

The next morning we were picked up by helicopter and transferred to Ice Station Borneo for our onward flight to Spitzbergen. Several members had some minor frostbite and other bumps and bruises including cracked ribs but no serious injuries were reported.

Fundraising for Future Hope

The reason for my undertaking this expedition was to raise badly needed funds for Future Hope, a charity based in Calcutta/Kolkata that helps homeless and otherwise deserving children. I had volunteered at the Future Hope school and home for three weeks in April of 2005 where I taught (very badly) and acted as a house parent in one of the homes for teenage boys.

At the moment, my fundraising total stands at approximately £36,000 (Yen 7,400,000); a definitive figure will be confirmed soon as I am still awaiting final donations. Sincere thanks to all those who donated so generously during the three months of fundraising (please see 'Thank You' in the sidebar).

The funds raised from my North Pole expedition will go towards the construction of further accommodation and school facilities in Calcutta. 100% of donations go to Future Hope. The charity did not fund or subsidise my trip in any way.

If you would like to donate to Future Hope, please contact Future Hope at www.futurehope.net or email me at kevin.morgan@herbertsmith.com and I’ll put you in contact with the right people at Future Hope.