Ranulph Fiennes
As a rule, anything that is pretty you avoid when on an expedition in the polar extremes. Normally anything other than white means a hazard such as a crevasse.
No one will pay you for planning an expedition at first: you have to work in pubs at weekends so you can pay the gas bills. I joined the Territorial Army, which paid me when I turned up to drill nights, and so did my wife.
I go on expeditions for the same reason an estate agent sells houses - to pay the bills.
Rivalry is one of the factors pushing me. While my back was turned, the Norwegians managed to achieve the first Arctic crossing in winter. I didn't want the same to happen in the Antarctic.
While I was serving, I worked as an adventure training officer, teaching soldiers how to ski, canoe and climb.
There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothingCollection: Running
Whenever feasible, pick your team on character, not skill. You can teach skills; you can't teach character.Collection: Team
It is a truism to say that the dog is largely what his master makes of him: he can be savage and dangerous, untrustworthy, cringing and fearful; or he can be faithful and loyal, courageous and the best of companions and allies.Collection: Dog
People who go to the polar regions are statistically less likely to die than salesmen who drive on motorways in England.Collection: Adventure
There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.Collection: Weather
The ultimate starting point for planning any adventure or expeditionby far and away the greatest book on earthCollection: Book