Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London 2003 Published by the RGS-IBG Expedition Advisory Centre Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) 1 Kensington Gore London SW7 2AR Tel: 020 7591 3030 Fax: 020 7591 3031 [email protected] www.rgs.org/eac Front cover image: © Stephen Jones, North Pole Last Degree Expedition 1999. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1. THE POLAR ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................. 6 1.1 Definition of the polar regions ........................................................................................... 1.2 Special aspects of the polar regions ................................................................................... 1.3 Common climatic features ................................................................................................. 1.4 Climatic differences ........................................................................................................... 2. PLANNING ......................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Fact finding ........................................................................................................................ 2.2 Access, permits and paperwork.......................................................................................... 2.3 Equipment .......................................................................................................................... 2.4 Communications, safety and backup.................................................................................. 2.5 Scientific projects............................................................................................................... 2.6 Arctic communities, parks and reserves............................................................................. 2.7 Humans and the Arctic....................................................................................................... 2.8 Environmentally responsible expeditions .......................................................................... 2.9 Environmental Impact Assessment .................................................................................... 3. CAMPCRAFT, EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING ................................................ 19 3.1 Campcraft........................................................................................................................... 3.2 Tents................................................................................................................................... 3.3 Sleeping bags...................................................................................................................... 3.4 Footwear............................................................................................................................. 3.5 Clothing.............................................................................................................................. 3.6 An expedition’s kit selection.............................................................................................. 4. FOOD AND COOKING ...................................................................................... 31 4.1 Menu................................................................................................................................... 4.2 Nutrition ............................................................................................................................. 4.3 Packaging ........................................................................................................................... 4.4 Emergency rations.............................................................................................................. 4.5 Water intake ....................................................................................................................... 4.6 Stoves and fuel ................................................................................................................... 4.7 Preparation and cooking..................................................................................................... 4.8 Hygiene .............................................................................................................................. 4.9 Case study .......................................................................................................................... 5. TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL............................................................................. 39 5.1 Air transport ....................................................................................................................... 5.2 Logistical considerations for air transport.......................................................................... 5.3 Snowmobile travel.............................................................................................................. 5.4 Small boat travel................................................................................................................. 5.5 Kayaks................................................................................................................................ 5.6 Sledge-hauling.................................................................................................................... 5.7 Kites/sails ........................................................................................................................... 6. NAVIGATION..................................................................................................... 56 6.1 Maps .................................................................................................................................. 6.2 Compasses ......................................................................................................................... 6.3 Altimeters .......................................................................................................................... 6.4 Global Positioning Systems (GPS).................................................................................... 6.5 Sextants ............................................................................................................................. 6.6 Local knowledge ............................................................................................................... 6.7 Finding your way............................................................................................................... 6.8 The environment................................................................................................................ 6.9 Fog and whiteout ............................................................................................................... 6.10 Marking of routes ............................................................................................................ 7. COMMUNICATIONS ......................................................................................... 64 7.1 Written messages............................................................................................................... 7.2 Visual and audible signalling devices ............................................................................... 7.3 Radio ................................................................................................................................. 7.4 Satellite communications................................................................................................... 7.5 Power supplies................................................................................................................... 7.6 Suppliers of radio equipment............................................................................................. 8. SAFETY ............................................................................................................. 72 8.1 Snowfields, glaciers and icecaps ....................................................................................... 8.2 River crossings .................................................................................................................. 8.3 Emergency shelters............................................................................................................ 8.4 Tundra ............................................................................................................................... 8.5 Ten rules for survival ........................................................................................................ 8.6 Objective dangers .............................................................................................................. 8.7 Animals ............................................................................................................................. 9. POLAR MEDICINE ............................................................................................ 79 9.1 Medical Preparations......................................................................................................... 9.2 Field arrangements ............................................................................................................ 9.3 Medical problems specific to Polar Regions....................................................................