Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen Begin Attempt to Become First Women to Cross Arctic Ocean.MINNEAPOLIS -- Polar Explorers For the main article on polar exploration see polar exploration.
Ann Bancroft (born 29 September 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota) is a United States author, teacher, and adventurer. She was the first woman to successfully finish a number of arduous expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. and Liv Arnesen Liv Ragnheim Arnesen (born June 1, 1953 in Bærum, Norway) is a Norwegian cross-country skier, adventurer, guide, and motivational speaker. In 1994, she became the first woman to ski alone and unassisted to the South pole. The 1200km trek took fifty days. to Ski, Sail and Swim 1,240 Miles over 100 Days; Millions of Schoolchildren schoolchildren school npl → écoliers mpl; (at secondary school) → collégiens mpl; lycéens mpl schoolchildren school Expected to Follow the Expedition In February 2001, world-class polar explorers and former schoolteachers Ann Bancroft (49, Scandia scan·di·a n. See scandium oxide. [From scandium.] , Minn.) and Liv Arnesen (51, Oslo, Norway) captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. millions of people worldwide as they fulfilled their childhood dream and became the first women to ski across Antarctica. On Sat., March 12, the women began their next attempt to make history from Cape Arktichesky, Russia: a 1,240-mile (1,996-km), 100-day ski, sail and swim crossing of the Arctic Ocean Arctic Ocean, the smallest ocean, c.5,400,000 sq mi (13,986,000 sq km), located entirely within the Arctic Circle and occupying the region around the North Pole. . The explorers are beginning their expedition almost two and a half weeks later than anticipated due to unexpected delays related to travel clearance in this remote region in Russia. If successful, Bancroft and Arnesen will become the first known women to complete the crossing. They expect to cross the geographic North geographic north The direction from any point on Earth toward the North Pole. Also called true north. Compare magnetic north. Pole in April and end at Ward Hunt Island, Canada in early June. The explorers are crossing the Arctic Ocean during the "spring" season, so they will begin the expedition with only a few hours of sunlight each day. They'll endure temperatures that can dip to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (-46 degrees Celsius), gale force winds up to 50 miles per hour (80 km) and blizzard conditions. Shifting ocean ice also will present enormous obstacles for Bancroft and Arnesen. It creates occasional breaks in the ice, called "leads," or open waterways, forcing the explorers to swim through water that drops to 29 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.7 degrees Celsius). Moving ice also will cause pressure ridges as tall as houses that Bancroft and Arnesen must cross with their 220-pound (100-kg) sleds in tow. And, currents and constantly shifting ice will push the women backwards, further challenging them to meet their daily mileage goals. Daily updates and photos will be posted throughout the expedition at www.BancroftArnesenExplore.com. Similar to their Antarctic expedition, where more than three million schoolchildren from 165 countries tracked the explorers' progress, millions of Girl Scouts Girl Scouts, recreational and service organization founded (1912) in Savannah, Ga., by Mrs. Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927). It was originally modeled after the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, organizations created in Great Britain by Sir Robert Baden-Powell during , schoolchildren and people worldwide are expected to follow their Arctic Ocean journey. "Ann and I hope that by sharing our stories of success and struggle from the top of the world, we can ignite passion in kids everywhere to consider and follow their own dreams," said Arnesen. Bancroft Arnesen Explore (BAE) is offering a range of educational programs so schools, classrooms and students can follow the explorers' Arctic Ocean expedition. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides also can follow the journey through various exploratory activities. A K-12 classroom curriculum, "Journeys Towards Peace," developed jointly by BAE and Pacific Lutheran University Pacific Lutheran University is located in the Parkland suburb of Tacoma, Washington. As of September 2007, PLU had a student population of 3,669 and approximately 250 full-time faculty. , helps teachers work with students, while following the expedition, to develop the skills and dispositions needed to peacefully resolve conflicts. Bancroft and Arnesen's flagship program, "My Extraordinary Journey," helps people of all ages find their passions in life. All education programs with weekly activities are available at www.BancroftArnesenExplore.com under "Educational Programs." Arnesen and Bancroft both have led past expeditions to the Arctic region. In 1992, Arnesen led the first unsupported women's crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap. Bancroft led the first American women's east-to-west crossing of Greenland in 1992. In 1986, Bancroft became the first known woman in history to cross the ice to the North Pole as the only female member of the Steger International Polar Expedition. BAE is dedicated to educating and inspiring people, particularly women and girls, through Bancroft and Arnesen's journeys. BAE's work is made possible due to support from the following Expedition partners: Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway 2005, Ltd., Norwegian American Foundation, Haberman & Associates, Comcast, Volvo and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 144 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. , along with various Expedition donors. Note to Media: For more information about the expedition and downloadable images, please visit the Press Room at http://www.yourexpedition.com/umbrella_pages/pressroom/mainpr1.shtml. |
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