Henry Cookson
Encyclopedia
Henry Cookson FRGS, is a British polar explorer and adventurer. On 19 January 2007 he, alongside fellow Britons Rory Sweet and Rupert Longsdon, and their Canadian polar guide Paul Landry
, became the first team to reach the southern Pole of Inaccessibility
(POI) since a Soviet-led expedition in 1958.
, and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He briefly worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs
.
, breaking the course record in the process and finishing four hours ahead of the nearest competitors, a team of a Royal Marine and two Army Commandos.
, they reached their goal, after kite-skiing 1,100 miles to their destination. Upon arrival they discovered the only visible remains left behind from the previous Soviet expedition in 1958, and the only indication that they had reached the POI - a bust of Lenin, which had been fixed to the chimney of a Russian built hut.
For their endeavours they are in the Guinness Book of Records as the first people to reach the center of the Antarctic Continent, the Pole of Inaccessibility
, without using mechanical means.
, who has stated his intention to join the expedition for its final days should his military commitments allow.
, as he was suspended in a perspex box above the south bank of the river Thames.
Paul Landry
Paul Landry M.B. is a French-Canadian polar explorer, author, and adventurer who is the only paid man to ever reach three Geographical poles in a single year....
, became the first team to reach the southern Pole of Inaccessibility
Pole of inaccessibility
A pole of inaccessibility marks a location that is the most challenging to reach owing to its remoteness from geographical features that could provide access...
(POI) since a Soviet-led expedition in 1958.
Early life
He was born in Wimbledon and attended the Ecole de Roche, Harrow SchoolHarrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He briefly worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
.
Scott Dunn Polar Challenge
In 2005 he was persuaded to enter the Scott Dunn Polar Challenge as the third member of Team Hardware, alongside Rory Sweet and Rupert Longsdon. Despite all being novice polar explorers, they defied the odds and won the gruelling 360 mile race to the magnetic north poleNorth Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
, breaking the course record in the process and finishing four hours ahead of the nearest competitors, a team of a Royal Marine and two Army Commandos.
Team N2i
Following the success of the Scott Dunn Polar Challenge, the trio decided to turn their sights on an expedition to the southern Pole of Inaccessibility. Training began in 2006 and on 19 January 2007, 48 days after setting off from Novolazarevskaya StationNovolazarevskaya Station
Novolazarevskaya Station is a Russian, formerly Soviet, Antarctic research station. The station is located at Schirmacher Oasis, Queen Maud Land, 75 km from the Antarctic coast, from which it is separated by Lazarev Ice Shelf. It was opened on January 18, 1961 by the 6th Soviet Antarctic...
, they reached their goal, after kite-skiing 1,100 miles to their destination. Upon arrival they discovered the only visible remains left behind from the previous Soviet expedition in 1958, and the only indication that they had reached the POI - a bust of Lenin, which had been fixed to the chimney of a Russian built hut.
For their endeavours they are in the Guinness Book of Records as the first people to reach the center of the Antarctic Continent, the Pole of Inaccessibility
Pole of inaccessibility
A pole of inaccessibility marks a location that is the most challenging to reach owing to its remoteness from geographical features that could provide access...
, without using mechanical means.
Walking With The Wounded
It was announced in 2010 that Henry had been approached by Simon Daglish and Edward Parker to sign on as an expedition guide for Walking With the Wounded, a charitable expedition to the north pole aimed at raising funds for injured servicemen and women. The expedition patron is HRH Prince HarryPrince Harry of Wales
Prince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, who has stated his intention to join the expedition for its final days should his military commitments allow.
Miscellaneous
Henry was given a conditional discharge in October 2003 after pleading guilty to firing five paint bombs from a catapult at illusionist David BlaineDavid Blaine
David Blaine is an American illusionist and endurance artist. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance, and has made his name as a performer of street and close-up magic. He has set and broken several world records...
, as he was suspended in a perspex box above the south bank of the river Thames.
External links
- http://www.teamn2i.com
- http://www.henrycookson.com