Risks
It’s quite clear that a journey to an uninviting region like the 89th degree of latitude and the North Pole bears some risks. By and large it is a region where bad luck can have more serious consequences than elsewhere. It has happened before that a traveller to the polar region has broken through the ice. This may be unpleasant for the person concerned but is no serious problem since in a situation like that the whole group can help.
Other incidents such as minor injuries, frostbites or sudden illnesses cannot be entirely excluded. In an emergency a helicopter from Borneo Base – there is normally at least one there - can be alerted within a short time. Helicopters are less dependent on weather-conditions than planes and can take off and land in nearly any circumstances. Normally there should also be a doctor at Borneo Base, but we can’t guarantee that. The nearest hospital is at Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen and it takes quite some time to get there (usually at least ten hours).
The expedition is equipped with firearms and warning shots in case we should come across polar bears. They usually don’t live that far north, but there are exceptions. We take along spare parts for the most delicate items of the equipment. We work with two separate means of communication: an iridium satellite phone and an emergency radio signal.
To sum up one has to be aware that with regard to the specific conditions of this expedition it cannot be compared with ordinary journeys. It is clear, too, that there is a certain risk of accidents and injuries and that each participant takes part in the expedition at his or her own risk and in full knowledge of this situation. Each has to sign a declaration that he is fully informed about all this and prepared to take the risk.
