Eden doctor to embark on ice trek despite evacuation of Sir Ranulph Fiennes (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Eden doctor to embark on ice trek despite evacuation of Sir Ranulph Fiennes
3:00pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News
Dr Rob Lambert and the rest of his team have vowed to press on with their attempt to cross Antarctica in winter
A TEAM of explorers including an Eden doctor said they will press on with their record-breaking attempt at the South Pole, despite expedition leader Sir Ranuph Fiennes having to evacuate with frostbite.
Rob Lambert from Great Asby is with the legendary explorer on the Coldest Journey - an attempt to be the first team to cross the Antarctic in winter.
But Sir Ranulph has been forced to pull out of the attempt, which is also raising money for blindness charity Seeing is Believing, after developing frostbite when he took his gloves off.
As team doctor, Mr Lambert has been treating him while rescue attempts to evacuate the veteran were hampered by blizzards.
He told the Gazette before leaving for the expedition that frostbite would be a constant risk and could cause ‘significant injury’.
A spokesman for Seeing is Believing said: “The remaining expedition members, under the experienced leadership of the traverse manager, Brian Newham, have unanimously elected to continue with the winter crossing of Antarctica and will undertake the scientific and educational aspects of the project as originally planned, with its humanitarian benefits.”
Dr Lambert and the other four remaining team members will begin their trek at the winter equinox on March 21.
Their route will seem them attempt to cross Antarctica from Crown Bay to Captain Scott’s base at McMurdo Sound, via the South Pole.
As well as conducting invaluable scientific research, the team hopes to raise millions of pounds for charity.
