Collinson has today announced its sponsorship of adventurers Justin Packshaw and Jamie Facer-Childs, facilitating their insurance and assistance as they embark on a trans-Antarctic expedition, starting on November 8th. Covering 4,000 kilometres in an expected 80 days, the adventure will see Packshaw and Facer-Childs man-hauling and kite-skiing across Antarctica. In a sustainable expedition, working closely with scientific and space exploration organisations, the team will study the impact of extreme endeavour on the human body as well as conducting scientific research on the state of the Antarctic ice shelf. Packshaw and Facer-Childs will be unsupported, without mechanical, human or animal assistance, making Collinson’s support crucial.
“We’re delighted to support Justin and Jamie as they set out on this very important expedition,” said Scott Sunderman, Managing Director of Medical and Security Assistance Collinson. “We have decades of experience in offering a great deal of medical assistance and support to people as they travel all across the globe, some in the most inhospitable of places, and Collinson Insurance Brokers have sourced specialist insurance coverage for this trip – and in the event of the need for evacuation or for medical treatment, Collinson’s Assistance team will be on hand to support the expedition.”
Collinson’s assistance team will work with Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE), to arrange for medical or transportation needs in case of emergency. ALE provides a medical clinic at Union Glacier camp and can commission a dedicated flight for evacuation of the explorers in case of problems. Collinson will also be providing the COVID-19 travel testing for the expedition, including the pair’s earlier trips to Morocco and Iceland for training exercises. Packshaw and Facer-Childs will be taking well-earned breaks in Collinson’s Priority Pass airport lounge network during their trips to support their wellbeing and help them relax before their gruelling endeavour in November.
The expedition begins at Novolazarevskaya, a Russian research base on the coast of Queen Maud Land, which is 4,000 kilometres south of Cape Town. The first leg has the team travelling 1,770km to the Pole of Inaccessibility, then 900km to the Geographic South Pole, before making their way a further 1,290km to Hercules Inlet on the opposite coast before heading to the finish line at Union Glacier. Facing 24hrs of daylight and average temperatures of -30°C, but which can go down to -55°C, the adventure will see the team battling some of the very worst conditions that the human body can endure.
“We are thrilled to have Collinson on board with us providing our insurance and top-cover throughout our journey. This is an old school expedition in that it is ambitious, demanding, long in duration and across the most inhospitable continent on the planet, so it is hugely reassuring to know that Collinson’s vast experience in complicated assistance can be relied upon if needed,” said Justin Packshaw, expedition co-ordinator and leader.
Almost every aspect of the adventurers’ biological functions will be measured via wearable technology, including their stress and physiological responses. Packshaw and Facer-Childs will be using a wearable AI device, designed for use by astronauts, to help understand the biomolecular and genetic changes experienced by their bodies during the expedition. The team will also be gathering crucial environmental data focused on the state of the Antarctic ice shelf, helping politicians and policy makers to understand the impact of climate change better.