The snow has been piling up over the past few weeks and incredibly the lifts in Verbier opened this weekend - the earliest ever start to the ski season in Verbier's history. And with more on the way it's shaping up to be a great start to the winter.
The Grand Combin, as viewed from Verbier this weekend
We've still got some availability in our chalets for the coming season - go to www.verbierexclusive.com for more details.
A very fun evening catching up with fellow members of the Cordon Rouge Club last night in Hyde Park. Big thanks to everyone at G.H.Mumm for putting on another fantastic evening, topped off by a sensational dinner courtesy of the great Adam Byatt.
A big welcome to our latest members, Mick Fowler, the climbers' climber, and Norwegian polar legend Cecile Skog. Can't wait to these true giants of the exploration world at the next get-together.
Click here for a short film about the Club.
Back row from left: Leo Houlding, Dee Caffari, 2012 CRC chairman David Hempleman-Adams, Ben Fogle and me. Front row from left: Mike Golding, Ben Saunders, Geoff Holt and Rune Gjeldnes
Very disturbing news today that the Arctic Ocean has lost more ice this year than at any time since records began. Scientists have shown that the volume of summertime ice is less than a third of the levels of the 1980s and that man-made climate change is the greatest driver.
Having spent 37 magical, life-changing days travelling across this unique ecosystem in 2005, it breaks my heart to think that in just a few years from now, it will all be gone. Reaching the North Pole on foot is becoming close to impossible, as even in the depths of winter there is more open water than ever before.
One of countless encounters with open water during our 2005 North Pole expedition
More importantly is the impact on the rest of Planet Earth. The white surface of the Arctic ice cap acts like a giant mirror, reflecting vast amounts of solar radiation back into space. Remove it, and that energy is absorbed by the dark waters beneath, speeding up climate change as ocean currents dissipate the extra heat around the globe. We should all be deeply concerned.
Greenpeace have recently launched their Save the Arctic campaign, which is calling on all governments to declare a global sanctuary around the North Pole. In just 8 weeks, their
petition has attracted 1.4 million signatures, of which I am one. Please join us – your planet needs you!
What an incredible opening ceremony last night! I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel very proud to be British. Even the rain stayed away! A breathtaking mix of Morris Dancing, the industrial revolution, Mr Bean, a sky diving Queen, and lots and lots of drums! Danny Boyle we salute you.
It’s more than eight years since I was asked to become an ambassador for London 2012 and it’s been awe-inspiring to watch the whole project grow over the years, culminating in last night’s spectacular opening. I’m very lucky to be going to some of the athletics and diving and couldn’t be more excited. Team GB – the nation expects!
I am thrilled to announce the news that Mary gave birth to a little girl Nell on May 26th. Weighing in at 8lbs 12oz, Nell is absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t be happier!
My four gorgeous girls - Maud, Mary, Nell and Olive
Today marks the centenary of Captain Scott’s death. It would be another seven and a half months before the frozen bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers would be found by a search party, and a cairn erected in their memory.
So many of us have been inspired the achievements and courage of Scott and his loyal companions. They simply do not make men like Scott these days.
The cairn built at Scott’s final resting place
Scott’s diaries revealed the full horror of those final desperate weeks as the men struggled to reach the safety of their hut at Cape Evans. Tragically, the winter closed in on them, barely 11 miles short of their final food depot.
Even now, almost 30 years since I first read them, Scott’s final diary scribbles make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end:
“For four days we have been unable to leave the tent – the gale howling about us. We are weak and writing is difficult, but for my own sake, I do not regret this journey. We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint. We are getting weaker of course and the end cannot be far. Had we lived, I would have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale. It seems a pity but I do not think I can write more. For God’s sake look after our people.”
There are lots of events planned to mark the centenary of the Terra Nova Expedition. For more information, click here.