Richard announces record breaking expeditions
After 12 months of preparation Richard Parks can finally unveil Project X. Project X is a two-part quest, which will see Richard attempt to complete the fastest and longest solo, unsupported and unassisted Antarctic polar expeditions in history.
On October 28th he will leave the UK to attempt to break Christian Eide’s Antarctic speed record. Richard will be aiming to record the fastest solo, unsupported and unassisted journey to the South Pole.
Norwegian Christian Eide set a new world record on 13th January 2011 of 24 days, 1 hour and 13 minutes, covering an average of 47km (29 miles) per day and skiing an incredible 90km (56 miles) on his final day. Eide smashed the previous record held by Brit Hannah McKeand, who in 2006 reached the pole in 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes. Now Richard hopes to break Eide’s record, a feat that many explorers believe to be a near impossible to beat.
Parks’ aim is to complete the 1,150km (715 mile) journey in 23 days. This expedition is the culmination of 12 months of training and preparation which has seen Richard ski for 39 days solo in Antarctica, complete the highest mountain bike race in the world in Nepal, take on the Jungle Ultra in Peru and compete in a double ironman in Snowdonia. His year of adventures and world record attempt are all being filmed as part of his new Channel 5 series, which will be broadcast next year.
THE LONGEST SOLO, UNSUPPORTED & UNASSISTED ANTARCTIC JOURNEY IN HISTORY
Following his Antarctic speed record expedition, 2014/2015 will then see Richard attempt to complete the longest solo, unsupported and unassisted Antarctic journey in history. This expedition will also have a unique twist, which is to be revealed next year.
Both expeditions push the boundaries of human performance in extreme environments and if successful, will confirm Richard as a pioneering explorer in every sense of the word.
ANTARCTICA SPEED RECORD
Richard will ski solo, unassisted and unsupported, pulling everything he needs by pulk (sled) from Hercules Inlet on the geographical coastline of Antarctica.
He plans to start the expedition mid November (weather dependant) and complete the journey in 23 days. Richard stated; “First of all I am just hugely excited to be going back to Antarctica, a continent I love so much. I’m really amped to have the opportunity of attempting to break this record.”
He added; “I’m lucky to know Christian Eide and we caught up in Norway just a few weeks ago when I told him I would be attempting to break his record. He is a great guy and I have so much respect for him and the record itself. Christian set this incredible record when I was in Antarctica for my 737 Challenge and I found the shockwaves that it sent through the community at the time really inspirational.”
Finally, Richard added; “This expedition will test me physically and mentally. I am feeling pretty mixed at the moment, I have got so many emotions bouncing around, mostly though I feel ready and can’t wait to get back out there on the ice and perform.”
Richard will be performing in temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius and skiing the calorific equivalent of two marathons a day, his route will also see him climb to 3,000m in altitude.
Richard will need a bit of lady luck from the weather in Antarctica but will be doing everything he can to bring home a new world record back to the UK.
You can keep up to date with Richard’s progress here at www.richardparks.co.uk
Richard will also be launching his new look website in the following weeks before his Antarctica speed record expedition begins.
