The Irish adventurers who are making another attempt to reach the North Pole this season have spent a night in a freezer this week to test their gear in simulated Arctic conditions.
Cork consultant Dr Clare O'Leary, the first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest, and Kerry climber Mike O'Shea are repeating an attempt they made in 2012 when they had a narrow escape from rapidly disintegrating ice. It is Dr O'Leary's fourth attempt and O'Shea's second at what has been described as the "hardest expedition in the world".
They traversed the North Patagonian Ice Cap and Lake Baikal in 2012 and 2013. Changes to the jet stream have facilitated what the couple describe as "decent conditions" this season – conditions which may not be replicated.
The 778km expedition will begin at Cape Discovery on the north coast of Canada.
The pair are holding a fundraising talk in the Great Outdoors, Dublin, tonight.
Agencies