The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Expedition pair in frosty relationship
Record-breaking Scot and wife to go on Alaska adventure
Record-breaking polar adventurer Luke Robertson will have his wife alongside him for his next bid for a world first.
The inspirational explorer, who grew up in Stonehaven, became the first Scot to complete a solo unassisted and unsupported trek to the South Pole, raising money for Marie Curie after himself undergoing major surgery to remove a suspected brain tumour.
Luke’s Due South feat saw him spend Christmas and New Year at the South Pole during the gruelling 39-day trek at the end of 2015, and for the next challenge – entitled Due North – he will be joined by wife Hazel as they take on another great wilderness.
In the expedition due to get under way in May, the couple, both 31 and now living in Edinburgh, plan to go from the southernmost tip to the northernmost point of the Alaskan mainland.
Over some 80 days, they will kayak, cycle and run across and through rainforest, glaciers, tundra and the Arctic Ocean in a journey of more than 2,000 miles.
Mrs Robertson, who is also from Stonehaven, has taken part in endurance events like the 140-mile Arctic Ice ultramarathon, and the pair will set off just weeks after competing in the Marathon des Sables, a 156-mile foot race through the Sahara desert.
Luke said: “We’re excited by the physical endurance challenge that comes with an expedition of this scale.
“We will be out there for almost three months, which will be tough both mentally and physically, but very rewarding too.”
Referring to his Polar trek, he added: “It’ll be nice to have some company – 40 days by yourself is a long time – so I’m hoping not to hallucinate quite so much.
“Antarctica is a beautiful and very special place, but it’ll be great to see a little more varied scenery and wildlife, as well as having someone to chat to other than my sledge.”
We’re excited by the physical endurance challenge that comes with an expedition of this scale. LUKE ROBERTSON
It is Saturday and across the country husbands and wives will be heading out to the shops, for meals or perhaps a sporting event. However, not many will be preparing for an Arctic adventure together.
Luke and Hazel Robertson will kayak, cycle and run across and through rainforest, glaciers, tundra and the Arctic Ocean during an epic 2,000-mile, 80-day journey.
Hopefully there will not be too many icy exchanges...