British Explorer Reaches Seven Inaccessible Poles
A group of British adventurers has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first to reach seven of the world’s most remote locations.
Chris Brown, aged 63, is on a quest to visit all eight inaccessible poles (PIAS), which are defined as the furthest land or sea points from any coastline in any direction.
So far, he has reached six marine poles located in Point Nemo, North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and the central Pacific Ocean.
Recently, he achieved his seventh milestone by reaching the Arctic Pole, around 400 miles from the geographical Arctic. This location is often referred to as the imperfect Arctic Pole.
With this accomplishment, Chris has made history as the first individual to reach seven PIAs, leaving only one remaining in northwest China, Eurasia.
Based in Harrogate, North Yorks, Chris, who is a tech entrepreneur, faced setbacks on earlier attempts to reach the Arctic in 2019 due to geopolitical issues and adverse weather conditions.
“When I set out to visit all these inaccessible poles, I figured perhaps I could handle three or four, but here we are!” he expressed, beaming with pride. “Never give up, never give in. Dreams may seem out of reach, but perseverance often leads to unexpected outcomes.”
Despite the Arctic Circle being relatively warmer than Antarctica, Chris noted that the shifting ice flows make this PIA particularly challenging to access.
The North PIA is currently located at 85°48’N and 176°09’E, yet its exact positioning fluctuates due to continuous ice movement.
Many have attempted to reach this remote area; the harsh conditions, extreme cold, and shifting ice make it especially daunting. Sir Wally Herbert nearly reached it on a dog sled in 1968 but couldn’t due to ice pack movements. Other explorers faced similar struggles without successful outcomes.
The coordinates confirming the pole’s location, published in the Polar Record in 2013, indicated that it is about 1008 km (626 miles) from land. In 2006, another explorer, Jim McNeill, attempted to update its location using advanced GPS data but had to turn back due to unfavorable conditions.
Efforts by others, like Norway’s Borges Aundland, have similarly been thwarted by ice movement and logistical challenges, solidifying the Arctic’s reputation as one of the most elusive spots on Earth. In 2019, Chris had found himself in a bind and was unable to proceed.
Initially, he would fly to Longyearbyen and then board a Ukrainian-made Antonov AN-74 to get to the icy terrain, using a temporary airstrip on two-year-old ice prepared by Russian crews. Unfortunately, geopolitical tensions cut his expedition short.
After two weeks stuck in Subarbad due to worsening weather and deteriorating ice conditions, Chris was finally able to undertake his journey. This time, on September 5th, aboard the icebreaker “Le Comantent Charcotte,” he convinced the captain to change course, bringing him within 1 km of the PIA coordinates.
On the morning of September 18th, he trekked across the ice with three teammates. They also took a side trip to the geographical Arctic, where Chris engaged in activities like skiing and kayaking.
During his adventure, he was fortunate enough to spot wildlife, including an Arctic fox, large walrus colonies, and even a humpback whale. He observed three polar bears along the way—a solitary female and another pair with an adult cub.
In the Arctic, sunlight lasts just about 30 minutes each day.
“I want to extend my gratitude to Sigurdur Subainson and Shimika for their support throughout this journey,” Chris concluded.
For updates on Chris’s expeditions, you can check Brown.co.uk and also explore the inaccessibility.net site.
