a team of people pulling sleds on snow on skis

a map of the polar north with a ruote laid out

Chamonix Resident Chosen for an Ambitious Polar Expedition

Catherine Toleman chosen for World Record Attempt to Reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated 24 August 2015

Jim McNeill, one of the world’s most experienced and respected explorers, and founder of the Ice Warrior Project, has chosen Chamonix resident, Catherine Toleman to take part in one of the most ambitious polar expeditions of our time; to be the first expedition in history to reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility.

Defined as the furthest point from land on the Arctic Ocean and therefore its centre, the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility remains the last truly significant place in the Polar Regions, yet to be reached by mankind. It is over two hundred miles further than the Geographic North Pole and the whole journey will be near to 800 miles from the northern shores of Canada taking in the North Magnetic Pole on route.

Having been selected for the Ice Warrior Quest for the Inaccessible Pole, Catherine is undergoing a comprehensive and intensive training programme to take on at least one of four 20-day legs. Each leg should be around 200 miles, done by a different part of the team each time, over 20 days.

Along the route team members will be gathering crucial datasets for the scientific community including new and vital data about how the sea ice breaks up, making the whole endeavour a major citizen science project. Partners include the NASA funded National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) scientists, The Met Office, The Scott Polar Institute, The Norwegian Polar Institute and the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute. This vital data will deliver the reality of climate change and make the whole expedition worthwhile and purposeful.

Catherine says “I've long since had a concern for the changing global climate and as an armchair adventurer, I’m really humbled to have been chosen and given the opportunity to take part in this, project. Though I've never done anything like it in the past, I have every faith in Jim and his training and I’m incredibly excited to get started.”

Jim McNeill, who will lead the entire expedition, said “I’m delighted to have Catherine in the expedition team and look forward to training her in every aspect which will make her a competent polar traveller.”

Catherine will be holding a fundraising raffle at The Pub on 5th September from 9pm. The prize list so far includes: