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Geoff Somers MBE, Polar Medal Geoff Somers is one of the World's most accomplished Polar travellers and has completed several 'firsts' including the only traverse of the entire Antarctic Continent by its greatest axis - a seven month, near 4,000 mile (6,200 km) journey, using Husky dogs to pull the sledges. Prior to this expedition and in order to train, his team completed the longest unsupported Arctic journey, 1,400 miles (2,000 kms) traversing south to north of the Greenland Ice Cap. During both these adventures, each with an international team, he was responsible for the logistics, navigation and driving the lead team of husky dogs. On foot, on ski and by kite power, he has travelled some 14,000 miles in the Arctic and Antarctic. He was a guide on the first commercial expedition to the North Magnetic Pole and guided the first self supported commercial expedition skiing 700 miles (1,120 kms) to the South Geographic Pole. As well as completing six South Pole journeys he has undertaken numerous other daring journeys, six times leading groups to the North Pole as well as training others (including the successful all women team to the North and South Poles). In Australia, with three camels from the wild, he travelled on foot 1,400 miles (2,000 kms) from Perth across the deserts to Uluru (Ayers Rock), the 'Red Centre' of the Continent and last June and July across the Australia Simpson Desert. As well as leading and undertaking 'Adventure' polar journeys, he has guided scientific expeditions in Antarctica and on the Greenland Ice Cap, and sailed the North Atlantic in a 10m yacht. Talks Geoff has lectured to some five hundred groups around the world, from local venues, schools, the Royal Geographical Society to universities and businesses. He has presented to numerous companies on Inspirational, Motivational, Leadership, Risk Assessment and Team Work issues and been guest lecturer on many tourist ships to Antarctica and the Arctic, including on a Russian Ice Breaker to the North Pole. Scott. Hero or Loser? Captain Robert Falcon Scott – a courageous yet tragic name from the ‘heroic age of Antarctic exploration’. In the so-called ‘Race to the South Pole’ he was famously beaten to the South Pole by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Utterly dejected, he and his companions died whilst struggling to return to their base. Geoff Somers, one of the world's most accomplished Polar travellers, was recently involved with two re-enactments of Scott’s fateful, yet fascinating journey. Navigation systems, food, clothing, tents, sledging equipment etc, were as near as possible to the Scott era itself. In this compelling talk and based on his own experiences, Geoff puts into perspective the huge undertakings of these early expeditions when Antarctica was virtually unknown and rarely visited. No telephones, radios, aeroplanes or any hope of rescue should things go wrong … A Camel Odyssey With three wild camels, trained to carry loads, Geoff and a companion trekked 1,400 miles across the deserts of Western Australia to Ulura (Ayres Rock). An amusing account of how a couple of 'Pommies' fared with these wild and unpredictable creatures during their three month trip in the desert 'Outback' of Australia. A Journey to Remember ... 3750 miles across Antarctica This epic journey, the longest in Antarctic Polar history, was one of international co-operation. Although privately funded and organised, it succeeded where governments had failed. Six men, six countries, 36 husky dogs - it is the only expedition of its kind ever undertaken. During the 220 day crossing, Geoff was navigator and drove the lead dog team. Over the two and a half years of preparation, he was responsible for the logistical organisation, from toothbrush to transport. What others have said ... 'Geoff's talk was superb; pupils and staff alike were effusive about it. The students were enthralled and completely focused throughout and my colleagues rank this as one of the best talks they've heard. Interesting, thought provoking and lively. Excellent! We're looking forward to having him back!' Sindre Vandvik, Canford School Click here to see more testimonials for Geoff ...