TEAM BIOS

	Stephan Wade (U.K.) Well, this seemed like a good idea at the time. The time was just over a year ago, I was seasick, sailing back from Antarctica through the Drake Passage. Despite feeling like death, I had never felt more alive; desperate to see my wife Donna, my sons Jack (7) & Henry (5), my family and friends although I was also desperate to continue this remarkable journey that I had started. I blame Robert Swan and Doug Stoup for their inspiration. They have clearly shown me that anything and more is possible. Have the idea, get great people around you and just do it... simple. Life's too short not to. Despite her starting our first phone call after me being 3 weeks off the planet in Antarctica last year with 'this is the last time you ever do anything like this again‚' Donna has been incredibly supportive, especially since I had replied that I had just committed to rounding the trip off and skiing the Last Degree to the North Pole in International Polar Year! I am raising money for The Outward Bound Trust who strives to build the self esteem of young people via residential Outward Bound courses. More details on http://www.justgiving.com/wadeofthearctic Thanks to my family and all my sponsors (especially Coca-Cola who are matching my fundraising) who have got me this far and special thanks to my training partners Jack & Henry, Andy, Mark, Anthony and Olav who have encouraged me to get out running or cycling in all weathers (even when I have complained of the cold!) and have had to put up with me turning up with my tyre in tow! I can't wait to get going and getting back to see you all.
	James Eadie (U.K.) Age 39 I am married to Rebecca with two sons, Luke, 4, and Tom, 1.  They can all say "North Pole", though just occasionally Rebecca not without colourful adjectives.  I work for Coca-Cola Great Britain, who have also been incredibly supportive of this trip.  Through sponsorship from Coke and others I am raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust, with whom Coke has a long-standing relationship. The money I raise will go towards bursaries to enable young people from less advantaged backgrounds -- for whom building self-esteem is key -- to attend residential Outward Bound courses. More detail can be found on my fund-raising page http://www.justgiving.com/eadieofthearctic Why do I want to go to the Geographic North Pole? I have travelled by various forms of transport, including on a bicycle from Vancouver to Mexico; with a mule through the Atlas Mountains; and on riverboat up the Congo. On skis to the North Pole is a crowning ambition. I have also spent a couple of winters on the Hardanger plateau in Norway and have always wanted to do another trip in a winter wilderness.
	Daniel R. Westergren As Senior Photo Editor for National Geographic Traveler magazine, Dan Westergren is responsible for the magazine's photographic vision. As a photographer He particularly enjoys cold, high places, having photographed the summits of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc, and the Matterhorn for the pages of Traveler. Notice, that these accomplishments can only be descibed as tourist mountaineering, which is fine with Dan as he's most concerned with returning home safely to his wife Lynn and their two kids, Helen, age 12 and Gabriel, age 8. Dan's primary interest in going to the North Pole is the challenge of bringing back interesting photographs of a difficult and visually challenged environment. But, while he's there he would be delighted to disprove the hollow-earth theory American John Symmes stole from Edmund Halley.
	Bernice Notenboom Adventurer, explorer, writer, radio correspondent and filmmaker, Bernice Notenboom used to work 60 hours a week for one of the world's leading software corporations. In 1995, she abandoned the stress of her corporate career to create Moki Treks ( mokitreks.com ), a travel company that aims to raise awareness of indigenous cultures. Moki Treks began in the Southwest, employing Native Americans as travel guides and cultural emissaries, and has since expanded to include the aboriginal cultures of Australia and Canada. Moki Treks won the prestigious World Legacy Award in 2004. Bernice wrote her first story for National Geographic Traveler in 2001 about a camel voyage with Bedouins in Saudi Arabia. "I was ecstatic to ride camels with this nomadic tribe. It was inspiring to be in a culture that doesn't really need possessions for survival or comfort, but definitely needs to be in close relationship with the land, the animals, and the weather in order to survive" says Bernice. Bernice's passion to explore nomadic tribes in remote places in the world, has brought her to visit 70 countries and numerable indigenous cultures in the most far-flung places in the world. She traveled the Empty Quarter searching for the Queen of Sheba, migrated with the Reindeer People of Mongolia, learned to herd camels in Pakistan, attended a coming of age ceremony in Ethiopia, and descended in a Maelstrom. Bernice participated in and lead numerous climbing and ski expeditions including to the Himalayas, Greenland, Baffin Island, the Alps, and New Zealand. Her adventures have appeared in the book, "A women alone-travel tales from around the world," in National Geographic; she is contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler, National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine, Natural Health magazine, Washington Post, and on the National Geographic Web. In 2006 she was runner up in two categories for "Arabian Nights" for the North American Travel Journalists Awards. Bernice has produced over 25 radio documentaries for NPR's Savvy Traveler, Living On Earth, Marketplace, and All things Considered. She has appeared on National Geographic Today show, BBC, Explorer and CNN and you can listen to her experiences on I-tunes National Geographic World Talk. Bernice is a talent and sponsored athlete for Sierra Designs, Patagonia, Deuter Packs, Mammut, Black Diamond and NRS. Currently, Bernice is preparing a ski-expedition to the coldest place in the world, Siberia. She is going to ski the journey of Kate Marsden who in 1891 traveled solo in Siberia to find a herb - guarded by Yakut shamans to cure leprosy. In 1892 Kate published the book On Horseback to Outcast Siberia. In April Bernice will ski to the North Pole and in December to the South Pole. If not traveling, Bernice lives in Fernie, Canada where she is currently working on her book.
	Nick Hunter I was first drawn to this incredible expedition when I heard the tales of Stephan's Antarctic trip. If I am honest, my initial thought was that he was crazy but then to my surprise the more I thought about it over the following weeks, the more the idea grew on me. What could possibly be more amazing than to stand at the top of the world? I then learnt that more people have been into space than walked to the North Pole and suddenly the enormity of the challenge sank in. In preparation I have been pulling a car tyre around Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall making crowds of tourists stare and laugh - Doug, I hope you weren't having me on about pulling the tyre as the perfect preparation for sledge pulling after all the humiliation! I must also confess to frequenting 'The Ice Bar' in London as part of my preparation. Along with Stephan and James, I too am raising money for The Outward Bound Trust who strive to build the self esteem of young people via residential Outward Bound courses. More details on http://www.justgiving.com/hunterofthearctic Thank you to my family for your incredible support, to my girlfriend Caroline who has been brilliant throughout, any dog that tried to pick a fight with the tyre (still unbeaten) and yes Anders, the tennis rackets are yours.
	Suzanne Nance Last year at this time, I was making my way to the Base Camp of Everest. I can proudly say that I am one of a very few women who have climbed all 7 summits, the tallest mountain peak on each of the 7 continents. In addition while in Antarctica, I skied the Last Degree to the South Pole. On this expedition, I will be finishing the '7 + 2' by reaching the geographical N. Pole. My journey has lasted 3 years, and in those 3 years my life has changed dramatically. I have grown tremendously. I realize that life is too short not to pursue my dreams. I am the proud mother of two challenging, yet wonderful teenagers. I am both a daughter and a sister. Though my family does not understand my adventures, they love me and I them. I am an artist. I work primarily as a silversmith, however, this past spring I learned how to weld. In doing so, I now have the capability to move my ideas into sculpture using steel as a medium. I have a small busy as a personal trainer and Life coach. I Fence. I use foil. Not only do I pursue my own training in this sport, but also I volunteer as a fencing instructor. I also volunteer my time for a cause that is currently near and dear to me, Domestic Violence. I have fantastic, fabulous friends the world over. The world has grown closer over the last 3 years, along with all the fantastic people who inhabit it. Thank goodness for the Internet!
	Brian Douds Before graduating with a BA in Marketing & Management from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2005, I travelled independently throughout South East Asia. Following that, with my surfboard in tow I hitch-hiked solo across Australia, from the North to the Great Ocean Road in the far South. Whilst at University I developed residential property and later formed Inugo Accommodation Ltd in 2005. Motivated by success, achievement and a passion for adventure, at the age of 24 I am about to face my greatest challenge yet. I will rely on hard work, determination and tenacity to guide me to the Geographic North Pole. In the past I have turned my hand to many adventure sports; I am a PADI advanced scuba diver, an accomplished Motocross rider, not so excellent surfer and I am trying to master the art of skydiving. I am looking forward to becoming great friends with a group of exceptional people who are sure to have a lot of stories to tell and experiences to share. When I return form the Pole I will be carrying out a tour of schools to inspire and educate young North East school children about our Polar Regions. I will leave the children in awe of the Arctic and ready to jump off the sofa to face new challenges and adventures of their own! This is only the beginning, and I aim to take the programme nationwide. Of course, neither the expedition nor the education programme would be possible without the support of my Sponsors who are the lifeblood of my project and without whom I would not have been able to turn my vision into a reality. I look forward to working closely with them when I return, to deliver an influential programme that will leave its mark on our future generation and shape the explorers and adventurers of tomorrow. The South Pole is firmly in my sights! Thank you to my Sponsors -- click here
	Glen Poulsen Glen has just come back from where you would like to go. A member of Squaw Valley's founding family, Glen knows the Sierra Nevada like you know the back of your hand. He's out there virtually every day, often nine months a year in a good season, making him one of the most prolific, experienced and knowledgeable skiers in the range. His backcountry and competitive ski forays have taken him around the globe to locations as diverse as Greenland and East Africa with a heavy concentration in the Alps. His training includes American Mountain Guides Association, Emergency Medical, Avalanche Level III, and Wilderness First Aid. He is also an active Search and Rescue volunteer. A backcountry adventure with Glen will be a unique and significant step in the evolution of your backcountry skills and enjoyment.

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