Explorers on epic trek to collect Arctic samples for survey

THREE British explorers have begun a trek across the floating ice of the Arctic Ocean to collect samples for a scientific mission.

Ann Daniels, Martin Hartley and Charlie Paton landed on the ice after a seven-hour flight by Twin Otter plane from Resolute in northern Canada. They will head north collecting data and samples for the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010, which aims to discover how carbon dioxide is affecting the the seawater.

Before leaving Resolute Daniels said: "We're as ready as we're going to be, but eager to get started.

"Our work is to capture data which scientists would otherwise not be able to get, it is just so hard to operate in this environment in the winter. The expedition focus is on ocean acidification."

For the next 45 days, the team will haul sledges weighing up to 120kg as they find samples for the scientists, who are at an ice base further south in the ocean.

Survey director Pen Hadow, another explorer, said:

"Our expedition is not only giving the scientists a way of working there by providing experienced polar guides, but enabling data to be obtained far beyond the areas of the ocean where it is safe for them to work by sending our explorers to do that work for them."

The teams face temperatures as low as –45C with wind-chill pushing it down to –75C.