The Foogle of War
I hate to be negative - but if there’s one thing that really makes me grumpy it’s polar bullshit (apologies to mates who’ve been to the poles!), which probably ranks higher than Everest bullshit in the bullshit stakes. Why?
For several years myself and Karen have been trying to save up money to ski from (that’s from - not too) the South Pole to Patriot Hills, using kites and skiing, something I think would be pretty impressive and cool, both physically, emotionally and technology wise. Unfortunately with the fall of the pound this looks even further off than before (you pay in dollars you see). Like crossing Greenland we didn’t really want to make too much of a fuss, primarily because the more PR you do, the more you sell your soul (others climbers may say I’m a PR guru - but I’m not compared to polar superstars. And I suppose it’s jealously and the green eyed monster that rears it’s head every time I see yet another rehash of the same hold polar game.
The other reason is compared to climbing and mountaineering the polar world is just so full of smoke and mirrors, half truths, and plain balls out lies. The reason? Well with a trip costing upwards of $30,000 (that’s each) to the South Pole most people need to garner a great deal of sponsorship, hence they will do anything to win the support of any sponsor going. Historically it’s always been the way. The Poles are expensive places to visit on your holidays, which when it comes down to it, that’s all they are for about 99% of big budjet trips (there are no Arctic explorers - and anyone who calls themselves that - and isn’t a scientist - deserves to be munched by a polar bear!). It’s never been about who’s the best, it’s about who’s best at fundraising and has the contacts to do so.
That isn’t to say there aren’t real and amazing things going on in the Arctic, because there is. The problem is you’ll probably never know about it, with real ground breaking trips being lost in the din of sloan rangers, city bankers and public school boys going on their Hols….
...now I think I should stop there (I don’t want this to turn into a class war thing). But compare the two clips below; one of which has received huge funding and press coverage, and the other which I’m guessing most people wouldn’t even know had happened.
— March 02, 2009 03:22 PM
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