Monday, 21 March 2011

25th Anniversary of the 1986 North Pole Expedition - Minnesota

I got somewhat of a shock this morning when I opened two emails from Will Steger, the leader of our 1986 North Pole Expedition and then another from Paul Schurke, co leader of the expedition. I have to be be in Minnesota by 14 May to join in the 25th reunion of our North Pole expedition. Paul has invited me up to his home on a lake north of Ely where we trained for the north Pole in the winter of 1985-86. We will be going on a canoe trip together.What an event this will be. They referred me to the website announcing this. Go to link.
north pole reunion


Minnestoa History Center

North Pole '86: 25th Anniversary


Events & Programs
North Pole '86: 25th Anniversary

The History Center honors the explorers who made this historic journey with two events in partnership with the Will Steger Foundation.


In March of 1986 the Steger International Polar Expedition, featuring Minnesotans Will Steger, Ann Bancroft and Paul Schurke, set out by dogsled to reach the North Pole. In a deliberate throwback to earlier explorers, the sought to complete the journey without resupply. They would be entirely reliant on the three tons of supplies they brought with them; there would be no airlifts with rested dogs, new equipment, or extra food and fuel. Fifty-five days and a thousand miles later, after enduring -70°F temperatures and crossing the Arctic Ocean as it began to break apart with the coming of spring, six team members completed the journey, making Steger only the fourth man known to have reached the North Pole, and Bancroft the first woman to have achieved that goal. The story of their trek forever transformed human perceptions of the Arctic from frozen wasteland to a living and changing part of the Earth.

North Pole Reunion Family Day

Sunday, May 15, 12 to 4 p.m.

Included with museum admission


On May 1, 1986 the expedition reached the “point around which the world spins,” the North Pole. Bring your family and experience the challenge of their historic journey.



Highlights:

• Experience an Arctic base camp and meet a sled dog

• Dress for an Expedition

• Learn how climate change is affecting the Arctic through hands-on activities

• Play the calorie consumption game

• Guess Arctic trivia and win prizes

• Create a Northern Lights picture and make Expedition Sun Goggles

• See North Pole expedition footage

• Book signing with Will Steger and team members

• Enjoy music with Minnesota singer/songwriter Ann Reed

• Visit resource tables and learn how to get outdoors and address climate change


North Pole '86 Expedition: 25th Anniversary Celebration

Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m

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Reservations required; call 651-259-3015 or purchase online. $12 adults ($10 MHS members); $5 college students w/ID and children age 9-17.


Bob McKerrow, training for the North Pole on Baffin Island, Canada

3 comments:

Donald said...

Dear Bob

How wonderful.

It only seems like yesterday... I recall my friend Grant Gillespie taking the dogs to Minnesota I think, from Antarctica.

So I sort of followed proceedings with some interest, and if I recall you hurt your leg?

Cheers

Donald

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Kia Ora Donald !

With Grant Gillespie we have more friends in common. I was at Lyttelton when the ship from Antarctica arrived carrying the last Scott Base Huskies. Lined up on the wharf were dog handlers from Ed Hillary's time including Murray Douglas.

END OF AN ERA.

Not my legs, but broken ribs from a 1000 kg sledge slithering
from a 10 metre pressure ridge. Like an idiot, I tried to stop it. It was heavier than a rugby ball.

Where is Grant today?

Greetings

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