Catlin Arctic survey - about the expedition
Scientists and environmentalists have long been concerned about Arctic sea ice: how much is really left – and how fast is it shrinking? That's what the WWF-backed Catlin Arctic Survey set out to discover.
The aim of this vital trip, which Pen Hadow called “a pioneering feat of human endurance combined with a scientific endeavour”, was to track the effects of global warming in this vulnerable region, which is seen as an indicator and predictor of likely future impacts elsewhere on the planet.
The Catlin Arctic Survey lasted 73 days and covered 434km of treacherous ice and freezing ocean. On his return, Pen Hadow called it, “gruelling but successful".
"We captured around 16,000 observations," said Pen, "and took 1,500 measurements of the thickness and density of the ice and snow.”
The average thickness of the sea ice turned out to be only 1.77m – which revealingly suggested it was almost all new, first-year ice.
“Our science advisors had told us to expect thicker, older ice on at least part of the route,” said Pen, “so it’s something of a mystery where that older ice has gone.”
The data collected on the survey is now being analysed by scientists to see exactly what it can tell us about the process and effects of climate change.
Extraordinary teamwork
The survey was a seriously hard physical and technical challenge. In the early weeks, temperatures hovered around -46oC, with a wind chill factor that took it down to -70.
Hartley had frostbite in his right big toe, Hadow got a chest infection, and Daniels famously reported scary nights on breaking ice flows.
And then much of the team's hi-tech measuring equipment (specially designed for the job) failed to stand up to the extremely hostile conditions, which meant the survey work had to be continued without it.
As Hadow had to conclude at one point, “Sometimes you can’t beat a tape measure and a manual drill.”
The team leader also had some moving words of heartfelt tribute for his fellow team members, expressed in one of his last blog entries from the ice:
“The teamwork has been extraordinary, and I cannot think of two other people I'd prefer to undertake an expedition with. My thanks to them both for being great friends, colleagues and unswervingly professional explorers.”
WWF would also like to congratulate the team for their supreme efforts and skill,
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