James Hooper And Rob Gauntlett

[Richard Ruck]

There's a report in this week's West Sussex County Times which highlights their need for funding - £70,000 is the figure quoted.

[kerrensimmonds]

It was on the BBC Online News last Wednesday that they need £70,000 to complete the last stage of their journey.

** Pair of explorers 'out of money' **
Two teenagers who climbed Everest become stuck on the last leg of their latest adventure after running out of money.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 205790.stm

Apparently one of their major sponsors has been unable to honour the full commitment - and I also heard from Wendy about their fundraiser (who had done really well for them, apparently - and was a really nice chap). The BBC have interviewed one of their parents, who has appealed for the extra money - but feelings are becoming a little mixed, with some people thinking that it's beginning to look like 'a jolly' at other people's expense. It was even suggested that perhaps they should postpone the last leg of their adventure, stay where they are and work to earn money to pay for the last leg themselves....

[Great Plum]

I would hardly describe this as a 'jolly'...

wasn't the plan to be an exercise in climate change etc...

[blondie95]

I agreet plum i thought it was to highlight what you can do to combact climate change (mainly through their chosen method of travel)

[Mid A 15]

It would be a real shame if they are unable to finish having got as far as Argentina whatever the fundraiser is alleged to have done or not done.

[Apalacia]

So, how are they going to finish without the necessary money?


If they know no one, they really should talk to the Explorers Club.

[Mid A 15]

Does anybody know if they managed to complete this?

[Wuppertal]

Does anybody know if they managed to complete this?

They got the money together, got their boat and have just completed forty days at sea from the Falkland Islands, past the Cape of Good Hope to the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean. Now they're back at sea again - 2500 miles left to the South Pole.

They send an email newsletter with an update of their progress every month or so - that is how I got this information. You can subscribe to it on their website at www.180degrees.com.

[Mid A 15]

Does anybody know if they managed to complete this?

They got the money together, got their boat and have just completed forty days at sea from the Falkland Islands, past the Cape of Good Hope to the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean. Now they're back at sea again - 2500 miles left to the South Pole.

They send an email newsletter with an update of their progress every month or so - that is how I got this information. You can subscribe to it on their website at http://www.180degrees.com.

Thanks for that Wuppertal.

I'm pleased that they are still going for it.

[kerrensimmonds]

They've made it.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7366540.stm

Congratulations to them both!

[jdshippen]

Allowing for the time zones - they are very close together near the poles (!) - I think they made it on St George's Day. jds

[sejintenej]

It is on Sky Interactive that they have made it. I immediately noted with regret that Sky totally ignored their reason for making the trek.

Hopefully, and I am not pinning my hopes on it, the normal spoken news will be more forthcoming.

[kerrensimmonds]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7391610.stm

Here they are in Australia.....

[gma]

The Times, Saturday 10th May, page 13!!

or for those without this paper.....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 904935.ece

[Ajarn Philip]

Good article, but the journalist's mistake at the end got past the proofreader - "Mr Gauntless" - he must have been thinking of dauntless!