ROWING THE ARCTIC
Title: Rowing the Arctic
Running time: 10 minutes
Directed by: Matt Barrett
Produced by: Matt Barrett
Expedition cameraman: Mark Beaumont
Having just completed the annual Polar Race, which sets out from Resolute Bay in the former North West territories of Canada, renowned Scots adventurer Jock Wishart took a rowing machine out onto the ice. A friend noticed him and joked, “What are you going to do next Jock? Row to the Pole?” – and so the idea for this latest expedition was born.
An experienced Polar explorer and ocean-rower, Jock set out to achieve another World first by being part of a crew to row to the certified 1996 Magnetic North Pole. Apart from being an extreme physical and emotional challenge, the expedition was also an opportunity to highlight the effects of climate change in the Arctic region. With this in mind, the crew of six set out in their 30ft rowing boat (christened the Old Pulteney) at the end of July 2011 to begin the gruelling 450 mile journey to the North Pole.
This adventure was only recently made possible as just a few years ago the Arctic sea was frozen all year round. The expedition will also provide scientific data that can be used to track the changing state of the Arctic landscape as well as the effects of extreme cold on the human body. But for the moment, this film focuses on the voyage itself – the highs, the lows and the inevitable dangers of the hostile Polar seas.
Did you know?
The first time the position of the Magnetic North Pole was accurately measured was in 1996 by an expedition that included Jock Wishart – the position is 78°35.7N 104°11.9W / 78.595°N 104.1983°W.
The position of the Magnetic North Pole moves each year in a north-westerly direction – its movement averages about 37 miles per year and it is estimated that by the end of the century it will be in a position in Siberia.
An experienced Polar explorer and ocean-rower, Jock set out to achieve another World first by being part of a crew to row to the certified 1996 Magnetic North Pole. Apart from being an extreme physical and emotional challenge, the expedition was also an opportunity to highlight the effects of climate change in the Arctic region. With this in mind, the crew of six set out in their 30ft rowing boat (christened the Old Pulteney) at the end of July 2011 to begin the gruelling 450 mile journey to the North Pole.
This adventure was only recently made possible as just a few years ago the Arctic sea was frozen all year round. The expedition will also provide scientific data that can be used to track the changing state of the Arctic landscape as well as the effects of extreme cold on the human body. But for the moment, this film focuses on the voyage itself – the highs, the lows and the inevitable dangers of the hostile Polar seas.
Did you know?
The first time the position of the Magnetic North Pole was accurately measured was in 1996 by an expedition that included Jock Wishart – the position is 78°35.7N 104°11.9W / 78.595°N 104.1983°W.
The position of the Magnetic North Pole moves each year in a north-westerly direction – its movement averages about 37 miles per year and it is estimated that by the end of the century it will be in a position in Siberia.
