This article was taken from the January 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
When Captain Scott met his icebound death in March 1912, on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica, he also left the longest ever polar trek uncompleted. Ben Saunders wants to finish the task. "Physically and mentally, it's at the limits of what's possible," the 36-year-old says.
For the last ten years, Saunders has been planning the 2,900km round trip -- and the technology to support it. "I'm an adventurer/geek," says Saunders who, with his team-mate Tarka L'Herpiniere, will also carry another tech essential -- the internet. Working with Intel, they took an Iridium Pilot -- typically a communications hub for tankers -- and modified it to work as a small antenna dome that sits on their 200kg sledges.
Polar expeditions commonly use Iridium handsets offering dialup speeds of 3.4kbps; the modified Pilot provides up to 128kbps.
Since setting off on October 27, Saunders has uploaded blog posts, photos and videos using two off-the-shelf Sony Vaios powered by a solar array, which Intel tested in a -40°C cold room. The Vaio's software has also been simplified: "There are some studies saying that in the extreme cold, cognitive function is somewhat impaired," explains Saunders. "So the simpler the interface, the better." Another vital piece of equipment: iPod Shuffles. "Tarka skis along to barbershop quartets. I prefer electronic dance music."
If all goes to plan, Saunders and L'Herpiniere will reach the South Pole by Christmas, then complete the return journey to Scott's hut in Cape Evans by February. "It's a very different type of expedition."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
