Adventurer makes polar friend in epic solo journey

Buy photos » Mark Wood has completed the first part of his journey to become the first explorer to ski solo to the South Pole and North Pole back-to-back. (S)

TRAVELLING solo across the South Pole can be a lonely experience but explorer Mark Wood has revealed how a small toy penguin helped him through his epic journey.

The 44-year-old has reached the half-way point of his expedition as he bids to become the first explorer to ski solo to the South Pole and North Pole back-to-back to raise awareness of climate change.

He celebrated Christmas, New Year's Eve and even his birthday alone in the South Pole but he was able to share those experiences with a new friend in the same way a size five football helped Tom Hanks on a desert island in the hit film Castaway.

"I am completely drained but I am delighted to be half-way through my journey," Mark told Mark told the Observer, less than 24-hours after completing his 50-day journey across the South Pole.

"I found it hard at times especially when I was speaking to my girlfriend and family via the satellite link, but I have got the rest of my life to share experience with them.

"It's quite bizarre really but I noticed this teeny penguin when I walked into a shop in Coventry and I thought that would be great for the schools programme so I decided to bring it with me.

"I'd lost my ipod on the second day of the journey which was a big blow and I remember thinking about Tom Hanks in Castaway and how he spoke with his football Wilson to keep him entertained.

"Then one day after travelling for over ten hours, and of course having not spoken all day except for the link back home, I got back into the tent and found myself having a conversation with this penguin! It's so strange when I look back."

Mark, a former Finham Park School pupil, now has a three week break to recover before beginning the second stage of his expedition, a 700 mile trek across the North Pole.

And he feels the experiences learnt from the first leg, as well knowing he is educating youngsters in Coventry about the effects of climate change, will help pull him through.

"This project would have been 1000 times harder without the projects being set up back home," Mark added. "They are able to see the effects for themselves and that really keeps me going.

"I found it very hard at the start because I would be on the move for 8-10 hours a day and had nothing to keep me going except the thought that every two hours I get to stop for some hot chocolate.

"I think it's important for me to get into a meditational state so I can keep myself entertained.

"I've learnt a lot from the first part of my trip. It feels like a bit of a warm-up really for the second stage which I know is going to be really tough but I will be prepared."

To find out more about his amazing adventure visit markwoodexplorer.com