Ian Bishop, Senior Engineer at Science Park tenant NESC, is setting out on one of the most significant polar explorations of our time, travelling 800 miles to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility to gather crucial data on the condition of the ocean.

Led by Jim McNeill, one of the World’s most respected and experienced explorers, the team will be gathering “crucial datasets” to help benchmark the condition of the ocean for NASA funded National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) scientists, led by Nobel Prize winning scientist, Dr Walt Meier. These will deliver the reality of climate change to audiences; the primary objective of the expedition.

In February 2023, the group will be setting off 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 yet to be reached by humankind. It is over two hundred miles further than the Geographic North Pole and one of four recognised North Poles.

Jim has split the 800-mile journey into four sections and is selecting 7 people to accompany him on each leg of his journey. Under his guidance and 36 years of polar travelling experience the team are being trained in everything they need to become competent and safe polar travellers.

Their task is to travel as much as possible in 20 days, skiing for 10 hours a day whilst dragging their own body weights behind them, and doing their best to dodge hungry polar bears and travel across an ever-diminishing layer of ice between our skis and the Arctic Ocean… AND complete a crucial scientific transect.

Ian’s participation in the team requires sponsorship. If you are able to support, do get in touch with him: Ianbishop1978@googlemail.com

Find out more about the expedition here.