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Now available for preorder:
The San Francisco Panorama.
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- - - - NEW YORK, March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of four Royal Marine Commandos have taken their first historic steps in an attempt to become the first British team and only the 2nd team in history to walk unsupported to the geographical North Pole. Team Polar 2000, supported by Johnnie Walker, began their grueling 500-mile journey at precisely 12:00 noon EST on March 8th from Resolute Bay, NW Canada. Walking 'unsupported' means the team will not be given access to any food, medical drops or outside support during their estimated 65-day journey. As of March 8th they will be in contact with the outside world via HF Radio, a telephone voice patch, Argos transmitter and e-mail. During their trip the Commandos will endure temperatures of up to -60 Degrees, cold enough to freeze bare flesh within seconds of exposure. Each team member will haul a sled, packed with the bare essentials, weighing over 250lbs containing everything they need for their trip. Additionally, the team will have Johnnie Walker by their side and will toast with a dram every time they cross a degree of latitude. Keeping weight to a minimum is vitally important. The team has stripped wrappers from chocolate bars to save a few milligrams and has even rationed toilet paper. Due to the position of the earth in its rotation around the sun, the first two weeks of the journey will be spent in complete darkness and intense cold. The team will also have to battle against powerful ocean currents that draw the ice away from the Pole creating a 'treadmill' effect. This means that even as they walk forward they are actually being pulled backwards, making the journey more difficult. The weather and terrain of the polar cap increases the danger of the journey. Polar bears pose a real threat to the team, as does thinning of the ice, which can result in open leads -- cracks in the ice, which can sometimes be impossible to cross. This means that lengthy and arduous detours may be required. "We are all a little apprehensive about what the future holds, as we know that this will not be an easy mission," said Alan Chambers, Team Leader. "A great Polar explorer once wrote 'You make your own luck by good planning' and we believe we are owed a little of that luck as our planning has been meticulous." In order to prepare themselves for the expedition, the four men went through a rigorous training regimen including spending an entire day in a freezer at temperatures of -30 Degrees. In addition, they were subjected to countless tests to determine their individual weaknesses to arctic conditions. It was necessary to determine individual physical changes so scientists could equip them to protect against particularly sensitive areas. "The team are modern day heroes. As soon as we heard about their ambition, we knew we had to support them," said Rob Malcolm, Global Marketing Director for Johnnie Walker. "Their walk is inspiring to us all -- knowing that the boundaries of human achievement are being pushed back. We wish them the very best of luck and will be thinking of them every step of the way." Founded in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1820, The Johnnie Walker brand name is recognized around the world as a symbol of quality, authenticity and achievement. For further information, please contact Jeremy Riffle of Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, 310-274-7800, for Johnnie Walker. SOURCE Johnnie Walker
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