Guides

David Hempleman-Adams

David Hempleman-Adams was the first person to achieve the Explorers' Grand Slam by climbing the seven highest summits in the world's seven continents including Mount Everest and reaching the Magnetic and Geographical North and South Poles. Born in Swindon, Wiltshire, his interest in adventuring was inspired by The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Since 1998, he has set 44 FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) World Aviation Records in Balloons, Airships and Fixed Wing Aircraft. In 2000, he was the first person to fly solo in a balloon across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole. In the spirit of Jules Verne, in 2003 he crossed the Atlantic Ocean solo in an open wicker basket. Again, in 2007, he flew the smallest balloon across the Atlantic from St John's New Foundland to Nolay in mid France on the French/Swiss border.

Johnny Johncox

Johnny Johncox has always had a love of the ‘great outdoors' and spent much of his childhood camping. He was born and brought up in Weybridge, Surrey, and is a career Police Officer having spent 22 years with Surrey Police; he has reached a relatively senior position and investigated serious and organised crime. Johnny, 45, is keen on keeping fit and takes every opportunity to partake in any sport or physical activity. He particularly enjoys walking and camping in Snowdonia, The Lake District and Scotland. Johnny has trekked in Europe, America, Mongolia along with East and West Canada. He has cold climate experience in Europe, The Rockies and has been to Baffin Island twice. He is particularly keen on cold climate experience as he feels it ‘brings out the best in people'.

Ed Bacon

Ed Bacon has over ten years of experience on Arctic expeditions. He trekked to the Magnetic North Pole in 1998 and has been a guide on four Baffin Island trips (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008). He has taken the youngest person, aged fifteen, and the oldest, age 63, across Baffin Island in the winter. Ed is the perfect leader on expeditions as he motivates each team member to achieve their goals and he can also make an excellent cup of coffee! Ed is a businessman with a background in marketing who has worked for various food and coffee manufacturers. His interests include scuba diving, rugby and Liverpool football club. He has an enduring passion for the Arctic and particularly enjoys the fact that he can avoid all mobile devices in the wilderness. Aside from keeping warm in all climates Ed enjoys playing backgammon in a tent.

Rune Gjeldnes

Rune Gjeldnes is a Norwegian adventurer who, together with Torry Larsen, travelled across Greenland in 1996. In 1997, he completed, the Arctic Oceans 2000 expedition - a 109 day trip - becoming the first to cross the Arctic Ocean without re-supplies. In 1997 and 1998 Rune took part in North Pole expeditions, crossed Baffin Island in 1998 and also climbed Mt Aconcagua. In February 2006, Rune completed The Longest March, a three months solo ski trek across the South pole region. He became the first person to cross that area alone without re-supply. 4804 km was covered during 90 days, from Queen Mauds Land - South Pole - terra Nova Bay. This is the longest ski-expedition ever, 1000 km longer than the previous record.

Susanna Wikman

In 1996 Susanna became the first Swedish woman to ski to the Magnetic North Pole. She has traversed Baffin Island three times, and on numerous occasions ski toured in Lapland. She has also climbed Mt McKinley, Kilimanjaro and Cotopaxi. Born and brought up in Sweden, Susanna now lives in London where she works as a film translator.