Pen Hadow, Expedition Leader, Catlin Arctic Survey

Pen Hadow

In summer 2009 Pen returned from leading the high-profile Catlin Arctic Survey a three-month expedition which captured vital data for scientists studying the future of the Arctic Ocean’s floating ice sea. The project had HRH The Prince of Wales as Patron.

The raw survey data his team brought back has been analysed by science partners led by Professor Peter Wadhams at the University of Cambridge Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Polar Oceans Physics Group. The scientific findings will be presented to the negotiating teams ahead of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference by WWF, supported by Pen.

The expedition has earned Pen and his colleagues, Ann Daniels and Martin Hartley, recognition by Time Magazine in their Roll of Honour as Heroes of the Environment 2009. A lasting legacy of the survey project is Arctic Survey Education – which has transformed the expedition into free learning resources about the Arctic and climate change for use by pupils, teachers and families (www.arcticsurveyeducation.com).

Pen’s concern for the Arctic began when, in his twenties, he first started to explore the frozen ocean. Today he is recognised as one of the polar community’s most pioneering spirits. He has dedicated his life to pushing back the boundaries of what is known to be possible both personally and geographically. In 2003 he made history when he completed the only solo journey, without re-supply by air, from Canada to the North Geographic Pole – a feat thought comparable to the solo conquest of Everest without oxygen.

Since returning from the Catlin Arctic Survey, Pen has founded Geo Mission, a company which will advance knowledge of our changing planet through projects that harness the unique skills of explorers working collaboratively with leading scientists to obtain previously hard to reach data.

Listen to Pen Hadow's speech
Last updated on 18 Jan 2010