Dorset company helps Sir Ranulph Fiennes attempt The Coldest Journey On Earth

Veteran polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, crowned ‘the world’s greatest explorer’ by Guinness World records, has announced his latest expedition which will see him take on one of the last remaining polar challenges by attempting to cross Antarctica in winter - believed to be the coldest journey on Earth. The expedition has been made possible with support from the Commonwealth and a host of sponsors and supporters, amongst them Cumulus Outdoors based in Swanage, Dorset www.cumulusoutdoors.com Russell Thompson, founder of Cumulus Outdoors, a specialist outdoor adventure, team building and motivational training company, helped Sir Ranulph select the team for this daunting expedition. Russell’s skills and experience as a facilitator combined with his team building activities accelerated the behaviours and characteristics of the candidates on the selection process to enable the final selection of the optimum team to tackle the unique challenges presented by this expedition. “Russell has been instrumental in helping to select the team members for my latest expedition, The Coldest Journey on Earth” said Sir Ranulph. “I found Russell’s experience in our team selection process invaluable. By using his skills as a facilitator and team builder, we were able to see the candidates in a different light” “Working with Sir Ranulph to help him prepare his team to make it across one of the most inhospitable terrains in the world was both a privilege and a challenge” said Russell, “experiencing potential wind-chill factors of around -115 degrees Celsius presents its’ own set of particular challenges and it is vital that the team is best equipped and prepared, both mentally and physically, to tackle the supreme challenges that lie ahead”. Russell himself has led 13 developmental expeditions to remote locations around the world; from the Himalayas to the jungles of Borneo and the steppes of Mongolia. Local businesses can also benefit from his experiences as a highly experienced Development Trainer specialising in both Activity Based Learning and Performance Coaching for individuals, their teams and their leaders – see www.cumulusoutdoors.com The ‘The Coldest Journey on Earth’ expedition team is scheduled to leave London in early December this year to begin the six-month crossing in March 2013. They are not scheduled to return until early 2014 due to the weather conditions. The expedition team will also attempt to raise USD10 million for ‘Seeing is Believing’, a global charitable initiative to combat avoidable blindness. To date, Sir Ranulph’s expedition endeavours have raised a total of £15m. Note to Editor:- Please email for photo - [email protected] Picture caption: Russell Thompson of Cumulus Outdoors at -40c with Sir Ranulph Fiennes Tel: 07971 864842 Email: [email protected] www.cumulusoutdoors.com