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Teen Explorer takes on North Pole: Why?

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     arctic, explorer, north pole, Skiing

Explorers, they’re everywhere. That’s the point. But it is rare when a teenager joins their ranks.

Instead of the stamina, experience and the beard growth capabilities of his much older contemporaries, Parker Liautaud will bring youthfulness and fresh legs to a new expedition.

At just 15-years-old, Parker is now attempting to ski the last degree of the North Pole.

The teenager is not yet old enough to drink, to smoke or to vote – all three bad for your health. He will at least have the company of seasoned explorer Doug Stoup, as he meanders his way the 110km across ice and through freezing waters. This considered, you still have to ask yourself: What drives these people?

Answers to this differ, depending on whom you speak to. For some, it’s the ancient, macho, conquer the world trip, yawn. For others, the reasons are far more sincere.
Mikael Strandberg, who will be lending us his experience over the next weeks and months, remains focused on uniting peoples through exploration; for many, the goals are personal but often raise money for worthy causes.

Expeditions either under way or about to start, include a World Triathlon attempt by Charlie Whittmack, a Global Triathlon bid by Dan Martin and the attempt by disabled British soldiers to reach the North Pole.

I can’t help but feel inspired by such endeavours. Do they inspire you?

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 170 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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Related posts:

1. The North Highland Way: 10 Adventures in Scotland
2. Walking the North Highland Way
3. Would-be explorers, join the Ice Warrior Project

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2 Comments to “Teen Explorer takes on North Pole: Why?”

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  Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop April 1, 2010 at 12:57 pm

  Parker’s a good one. I was with him in Antarctica last year. He really wants to create a narrative with which to inspire his peers to do something about climate change. I would not describe him as the macho type. His heart is in the right place and we should all support and applaud his endeavours.

  There is the bigger question about whether polar expeditions are the right vehicles to raise awareness about climate change. Unfortunately, for now they are more likely to generate media attention (thus getting the message out) than say a youth expedition to Bangladesh.
• 

  Mark Pawlak April 1, 2010 at 4:42 pm

  Thanks Jamie,

  Great to hear from someone who can provide real insight to a topic – it’s what we are trying to do here.

  The obsession with ‘the ends of the earth’ seems to be a little overdone. No disrespect intended to polar explorers, it remains one of the most extreme physical challenges out there. It’s just done so often. Thinking back to recent coverage, I can’t remember when one of these trips really caught my attention or raised my awareness.

  Pole fatigue perhaps? Simply being in a place or reaching a point is perhaps not enough. Maybe it is what you do when you get there that counts more?

  Thanks for posting.

  Mp