Explorer still ‘on top of the world’

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 11

Explorer still ‘on top of the world’

NZPA-PA London The Arctic explorer, David Hempleman-Adams, celebrated his return from the North Pole in style yesterday at London’s exclusive Ritz Hotel. The 27-year-old adventurer, who walked 400 km alone to the Magnetic Pole, also found a Royal message waiting for him when he arrived back in Britain. A telegram from the Queen offered “hearty congratulations” to him and his back-up team on achieving their “objective.” Mr Hempleman-Adams, who took 22 days to reach the Magnetic North Pole, was still on top of the world yesterday as he spoke about his experiences. The luxury of one of London’s top hotels was a sharp contrast to the hardship of his lone trek across the Arctic ice.

Mr Hempleman-Adams, from Bristol, described how he came within seconds of death when a 340 kg polar bear attacked him as he lay in his tent.

“The polar bear started sniffing round the sledge and then he came straight into the tent and started to pull me out,” he said. “I gave a warning shot into the ground and the bear ran away about six metres.

"I fired a second shot to scare him but he took no notice and came straight at me. I had about three seconds to think, and there was no choice but to shoot. I am«not proud of the fact, but if it is his life or my life, I prefer mine.” Mr Hempleman-Adams, who tried unsuccessfully to reach the North Pole last year, said the bear cost the expedition £lOOO because a support plane had to fly out and pick up the body. “The money meant nothing. We had to act responsibly and report the death of the bear immediately,” he said.

The Canadian authorities commended his action and he said the killing of a polar bear in self-defence was perfectly legal. The other big danger encountered by the explorer was thin ice. Once he fell through the crust and up to his thighs in freezing water. “I was terrified of going right through and not having enough strength to get out,” he said. He was able to scramble out of the water and dry off in his tent. At temperatures of minus 75 deg., the skin can freeze in 90 seconds if not properly dry. He is now planning an expedition next year to the geographic North Pole.