North2

A world record breaking expedition to the North Pole

Equipment

Plane

Most of the equipment that Ben is taking with him was either custom-made or modified by the North2 team, and sometimes both.

We don’t necessarily go for the equipment that has been used by the most polar expeditions in the past or made by the biggest companies. Instead we look for companies that aren’t just interested in making the best polar kit out there, they’re obsessive about it. Often they are very small companies, such as Brenig, Titanium Goat and Acapulka, but their willingness to push design forward and constantly innovate means that we have become huge fans.

Below is an abridged list of the equipment that Ben is either wearing or dragging.

Worn/carried equipment

  • Wristwatch Polar
  • Wristwatch Bremont Supermarine
  • GPS Garmin E-trex
  • MP3 Player x2 AMP3 2GB Mini MP3 Player
  • Multi-Tool Leatherman Skeletool CX
  • Harness/backpack Lifeventure custom harness
  • Karabiners x 3 Camp Nano
Ben’s balaclava
  • Balaclava (full face) Outdoor Research Gorilla WS
  • Facemask Custom WS fleece (fitted to goggles)
  • Sunglasses Oakley Radar

Rations

  • 3 days intro rations
  • 26 days full rations
  • emergency rations

Pulk/trace/rucksack/drysuit

  • Pulk Acapulka Custom
  • Trace x 5 metres Marlow Excel Racing Dyneema 4mm
  • Drysuit Brenig Custom
  • Drysuit stuffsack Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack Pro (M)

Clothing

  • Thermals Sunspel custom merino thermal bottoms and top
  • Salopettes Brenig Custom
  • Jacket (with fur-trimmed hood) Brenig Custom

Nav/Comms/Tech

  • Spare GPS (exc batteries) Garmin eTrex
  • Chart NOAA JNC5
  • AA Cells Energizer Lithium AA 1.5v
  • PDA HP iPAQ
  • Tracking beacon Yellowbrick
  • Iridium phone Motorola 9505
  • Digital Camera Nikon
  • Video camera Flip HD

Spare clothing

  • Spare clothes sack Sea to Summit Sil dry bag
  • Liner socks (spare) SmartWool Liner
  • Calf socks (spare) SmartWool Mountaineer
  • Liner gloves (thin) Extremities Thinny
  • Gloves (windproof) Cloudveil Run Don't Walk
  • Mitts (outer/spare) Brenig custom
  • Thermal bottoms Lowe Alpine DryFlo lightweight
  • Thermal top (zip roll-neck) Lowe Alpine DryFlo lightweight
  • Neck gaiter Turtlefur
  • Down vest Brenig Custom

Bear safety

Ben using his shotgun
  • Shotgun
  • Hand held flares
  • Cartridges x10

Shelter & cooking

  • Tent Hilleberg Nammatj2
  • Snow shovel
  • Pee bottle Plastic bottle
  • Sleeping mat Thermarest Ridgerest, Multimat 4-Season
  • Sleeping bag Ajungilak Tyin 5-season
  • Stove (inc reflector) MSR XGK II-Shaker jet
  • Fuel bottle MSR Titanium
  • Stove fuel pumps x 2 MSR XGK II-Shaker jet
  • Dry bags and stuff sacks Lifeventure custom
Ben’ tent
  • Stove maintenance kit MSR MSR XGK II, assorted
  • Fuel (0.25l/day x 30 days [700g/l])
  • Spoon Vargo UL Titanium spork
  • Cooking pan (inc lid) MSR Titanium
  • Pan handle MSR LiteLifter
  • Stainless steel vacuum flask x 2 Lifesystems 1l
  • Nalgene flask
  • Flask parka jacket custom closed cell foam/tape

Hands

  • Wristlets Brenig Polartec 300
  • Liner gloves (thin) Extremities Thinny
  • Outer mitts Brenig Custom pertex/pile

Footwear

  • Ankle Liner Socks SmartWool Liner
  • Calf Socks SmartWool Mountaineer
  • Skis Asnes Custom 180cm
  • Bindings Salomon SNS Backcountry
  • Ski poles (plus insulation) Swix Mountain PCU
  • Ski boots (inc insoles & liner) Millet Custom - Alain Hubert

In partnership with:

  • Bremont
  • Mountain Equipment logo
  • Sunspel logo

Copyright © North2
Header photo by Martin hartley
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