Wilderness Lectures

I'll be giving a talk for Wilderness Lectures December 16th 2009. More details here - http://www.wildernesslectures.com/speaker.php?id=111

Jim McNeill's guiding, survival and logistics expertise is employed by BBC film crews on location in extreme environments. Jim is ITV News' own “Ice Warrior”, reporting the reality of climate change directly from the Arctic Ocean to audiences around the globe. The story will continue on ITV next year as he attempts the last, so far unattained, World First in polar expeditioning - to be the first person to reach the very centre of the Arctic Ocean – the Arctic Pole.

Copenhagen Summit - climate change

During the Copenhagen Summit on climate change I thought I’d put across my view and that shared by our team members.

Firstly, a comment on a talk I gave at Lloyd’s of London for the catering giant Avenance:

“Climate change is one of the great challenges for business and industry currently. Jim gave our city clients an evening that challenged them, in a way that was relevant to the current climate change debate. His presentation was fascinating, engaging and inspirational. The story that led to him becoming an arctic explorer and why he continues with his research expeditions gave his presentation context, made sense of the scientific elements and really made you sit up and think. He demonstrated a resilience and endurance that would have seen most collapse under the strain of travel and performance. The man was a breath of fresh air and gave our audience a sense a being privy to something personal and special. The event was a huge success and the feedback we have received outstanding. We thank Jim and wish him continued success with his Arctic Pole Expedition in 2010.”

Chris Sprague, Managing Director, Avenance

Friends in High Places

We seem to getting all sorts of support from some really great people at the moment – all very encouraging!

I met Michael Palin, who is now the President of The Royal Geographical Society (I’ve been a Fellow since 1994) last weekend and told him all about the expedition and he very kindly sent me this message for the team:

Hi Jim,

It was all a bit mad at the Explore Weekend, but I think I promised you an endorsement for your Ice Warrior Arctic Pole Expedition.

Learning to travel the hard way is not only the best way, but it’s also the most memorable. I greatly admire all of you for having a go – believe me you won’t forget the experience.

Good luck,

Michael Palin

Today I received an email from our Patron Sir Ranulph Fiennes for the team:

Jim informs me of just how hard you are working to get this expedition off the ground which is something, as you might imagine, I can really appreciate. The fact that I am your Patron makes me very proud so do keep up this tremendous effort. I know you will reap all the rewards in the end.

Very Best of Luck Ran

I wonder who’ll be next?

Things are hotting up!

Perhaps I should use a better phrase, given that our remit has much to do with global warming but things are really getting busy around here. Over the last two weeks my feet have hardly touched the ground with a medical conference in Dundee about Antarctic Medicine, a Royal Geographical Conference about Exploration, a keynote speech at the Chief Fire Officers Association conference as well as numerous meetings, proposals and people to attend to. Finally I have a week to catch up with my team and progress the administration and logistics.
Jim McNeill, Founder and Leader, Ice Warrior