Otley & Aireborough
N-ice and easy journey for Ben
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| Ben Thackwray |
Three months is a long time to take it easy for Ben Thackwray.
The 27-year-old adventurer, of Yeadon, has run across the Sahara and returned home in February after rowing across the Atlantic Ocean for 37 days.
Now he turns his mind to a two-man speed crossing of the world's second largest ice cap in Greenland.
His training starts next month. Accompanied by a fellow part-time athlete, Mr Thackwray plans to tackle the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough three times back-to-back within 24 hours.
He said: "I've never managed to do this before. I did do just over two laps and I'm going back for revenge because I had to stop to avoid injury on the third lap. I think it's only been done once before."
It is an opportunity for him to test his endurance in the run up to Greenland next April.
The ice cap spans 600km. Ben and his friend Jon Bailey will have to carry food, clothing, camping and safety equipment and polar bear deterrents.
Of his three peaks challenge, he said: "Ultra distance travel is a skill. You need to be competent at managing your own systems and be both physically and mentally hardy.
"We hope it shows sponsors for Greenland our capability and determination."
He is looking to attract corporate partnerships for the trek.
They aim to beat the fastest crossing of recent times which is 21 days set last month by a Danish team. They hope to have their attempt adjudicated by the Guinness World Records.
Ben said: "A faster crossing is said to have been done some time ago but was never adjudicated and apparently there is no detail on whereabouts the crossing was done. There are dangers of frostbite and exhaustion and the risk of encountering polar bears and crevasses."
He hopes Greenland will help to prepare him for an attempt to ski to the South Pole. For details, visit benthackwray.com.
12:30am Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: mandy, Otley on 12:29pm Thu 8 May 08
Good luck. You are an inspiration.
Good luck. You are an inspiration.
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