David Hempleman-Adams

David Hempleman-Adams

David Hempleman-Adams was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 1956.His interest in expeditioning began through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, of which he is a Gold medallist. He is an accomplished mountaineer, having climbed some of the highest mountains in the world, including Everest (Nepal), Mnt Vinson (Antarctica), Aconcagua (Argentina), Carstenz Pyramid (Indonesia), Elbrus (Russia), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). He was a member of the team which in 1981 achieved one of the fastest ascents of Mount McKinley (Alaska). In 1984 he was the first person to successfully complete a solo expedition to the Magnetic North Pole without the support of dogs, snow mobiles or air supplies. In 1992 he lead the first team to walk unsupported to the North Geomagnetic Pole. In all he has lead some seven Arctic expeditions and is only the third Briton to have climbed all the seven continental summits. On January 5th 1996 he became the first Briton to walk solo and unsupported to the South Pole. On February 19th 1996 he sailed to the South Magnetic Pole, becoming the first person to do so in the same year. On May 15th he led the Ultimate Challenge, a team of novices, to ski to the Magnetic North Pole, gaining some notable firsts. Again becoming the only person to ever reach both North and South Magnetic Poles in one year. Last year he joined with Norwegian, Rune Gjeldnes, to attempt to reach the North Geographical Pole unsupported. His previous attempt was made as a solo expedition in 1983 but failed due to a fall on the ice which resulted in several cracked ribs. This Expedition will be his third attempt to reach the elusive goal. To date he has done 29 major expeditions around the world. In 1994 he was awarded the M.B.E. in the Queen's Honours List for Services to Polar Exploration. Most recently he has been honoured by The Royal Scottish Geographical Society with the prestigious 'Livingstone Medal' for distinguished contribution to the advancement of geography and after his expedition to the North Pole in March 1997, The Royal Humane Society have awarded him the Bronze Award for bravery.