Barclays Capital is funding an expedition to the North Pole in a bid to solve what it calls the greatest polar mystery of all time. The team of four, headed by British explorer Tom Avery, aims to replicate the disputed expedition of American explorer Robert Peary. Peary claimed to have reached the Pole in a record 38 days in 1909.
Even with modern technology the trip has since only been completed in 42 days, which has led sceptics to brand Peary's claim as fraudulent. The Barclays Capital Ultimate North Expedition, using similar equipment to Peary's, hopes to prove that he could indeed have reached the top of the world in the short time he claimed.
The team sets off for preparation in February and will begin the expedition in March. Building up to cover distances of 27 miles a day, the team must be ready to brave temperatures as low as –50ºC, pressure ridges up to 30 feet high, moving ice and polar bears.
