By Antony Jinman, Age 26

Two young explorers brave the harsh conditions of the Canadian arctic to report on how climate change is affecting the Inuit way of life.

On the 5th of March 2008 my team mate Vijay Shah and I set off to Baffin Island to attempt to cross the Penny Ice Cap. The main aim of the expedition was to report back on how climate change is affecting the Inuit way of life. Unfortunately, due to severe temperatures and glaciers being in extremely poor states of retreat, we had to abandon the crossing. It was the coldest winter since 1970 and temperatures didn’t get warmer than -30’c. This caused Vijay to develop poor circulation in his feet and we decided to abandon the attempt. However, we had a very rewarding time living and learning about the Inuit in both Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung on Baffin Island. We interviewed as many people as we could, including local hunters and elders. The information gathered on climate change can be found on our website at www.polarventure.co.uk.

On the 17th of March I left for the next phase of the expedition. We had decided that I would make a solo attempt to get to Pangnirtung, a distance of 150km between villages through the Akshayuk Pass. Once again, I started out making good progress, covering on average 15 miles a day. Unbeknown to me at the time, a “severe weather warning” was issued for the 21 with gale force winds and heavy snow predicted. The evening of the 21 saw the wind increase in force as the weather forecast had predicted. I decided to sit tight and wait out the storm. It lasted for three days. During most of this period I couldn’t leave my tent due to the severity of the raging winds. It was the closest experience I can imagine to going into space. My tent was my capsule of survival, I couldn’t stand outside; the wind chill would freeze bare skin in seconds. Time passed very quickly. I just slept and let my mind wander. I tried to write, but It was often too cold to even hold a pencil. Temperatures got to around -65’c including wind chill and the winds reported to be 50kph with even stronger gusts.

Why had I put together this expedition together? Simply because I believe that one person can help make a difference and that you can achieve whatever you want through a bit of hard work and determination. I am busy now giving talks in schools around the United Kingdom in support of the expedition. I am also busy planning my next trips including a return to Baffin Island as well as a solo to the North Pole next year attempting the final two degrees.