Blog

It’s great to meet with Andy Schmidt (head of social good) at SKYPES UK headquarters in London. Skype linked up with me in the Himalays a few years ago and supported projects to join schools in Everest to schools around the globe.

We are talkng about a new project – called Skype in the classrooms. Exciting times ahead.

 

Since coming back to the UK I have been busy putting all the films – photographs and audio blog pieces together. There is a lot of work involved but it’s been fun looking back on the expedition as I sit in my house with a coffee (boiled by an electric kettle rather than melting ice in a pan)

I filmed this two days out from the North Pole – it’s important for me to document the expeditions I go on to allow people to experience these extreme regions of our planet.

remember to check out THE DONATION and take a personal responsibility for the environment.

http://thedonation.org.uk/doers/mark-wood/north-south-solo-expedition

On my final days of ice in the Arctic I am spending time with Dr Stephan Harrison from the UK. We are linking with climate scientists out here in Longyearbyen to make films on their research. The aim is to use the films in the North South Solo documentry and in the “My Life in a Freezer” schools program that co-insides with the expedition.

The films will be a clear and honest account on Global warming / climate change research and how explorers (like myself) aim to show case these issues by attempting extrordinary journeys.

Stephan is a lover of the outdoor office and has a beard! we are off to a good start!

 

DR STEPHAN HARRISON Bio:

Dr Stephan Harrison is Associate Professor of Quaternary Science at ExeterUniversityand Director of Climate Change Risk Management (www.ccrm.co.uk).  Previous to this he taught at Oxford University and he is a Senior Research Associate at the Oxford University Centre for the Environment.

Dr Harrison has a PhD in Quaternary Science and over 20 years research experience in landscape responses to climate change.  Since 1991 he has worked on glaciers and climate change in Patagonia, the Tien Shan mountains ofKazakhstanand inNorway,Icelandand theHimalaya.  Dr Harrison has published over 100 refereed papers on his research. He advises the UK’s Institute of Actuaries and the Emergency Planning Society on risk management and climate change issues and has recently worked with Lloyd’s insurance market on assessing the nature of future climate change risks. 

 

Update from Mark Wood in Svalbard  

This is a short film showing the storage of the camera equipment and batteries and then the 360 degree of awareness for polar bears!

basic run through of my cooking skills on ice – in the most incredible part of our planet.

During the second phase of the expedition to the North pole I had my IPod on for a good part of the day. The terrain was pretty testing with the open leads – ice ridges and ice rubble so the music helped to take my mind off the physical side of the journey.

At times I needed all of my senses about me in case of polar bears or cracking ice – so I only used the Ipod in good visability during the day.

The film is a bit hazy due to a dirty lens and a dim light but the subject is something I really like.

During the expedition the top ten listened to bands on the Ipod were:

1. Bryan Adams – Bare Bones tour
2. Cast – Cast
3. David Bowie – A reality tour
4. Gorillaz – Demon Days
5. Kula Shaker – K
6. Noel Gallagher – High flying birds
7. Oasis – Definitely maybe / Dig out your soul
8. Paul Weller – Days of speed
9. The Prodigy – Fat of the land / Invaders must die
10. Randy Crawford – The ultimate collection

Update from Mark Wood on his North Pole expedition.

Update from Mark Wood on his North Pole Expedition.