When Pen Hadow became the first and only person ever to reach the North Pole from Canada, without re-supply - the toughest route, he finally fulfilled a deathbed vow made to his father 10 years before. Taking on the most challenging environment on the planet, it took Hadow a gruelling 64 days to make the 478-mile trek during which he had to survive in temperatures of -45°C.

The mission almost ended in disaster, when in an exhausted state, he misjudged a patch of thin ice and fell into the freezing Arctic Ocean. He survived, but lost one of his skis which meant the rest of the expedition had to be made trudging in boots. Less than 9 months after reaching the North Pole, Hadow went on to become the first and only Britain to walk to both Geographic Poles without re-supply.

This visually illustrated presentation, SOLO, tells not only the story of one of the greatest endurance challenges on earth, it also tells of the personal life behind the polar explorer.

An Extraordinary Story
Born in Scotland into a family of sportsmen and adventurers, Pen Hadow was looked after in his early years by the former nanny to Scott of the Antarctic’s son, who exposed him to a bizarre conditioning regime by sending him outside in his shorts and bare feet in all weathers. ‘Polar Pen’ reveals candidly and engagingly what drives a sensitive family man to push himself to the edge and produce a world-class performance against the odds.

Pen Hadow’s extraordinary story, told within the context of the rich history of polar exploration, will move and inspire all those who have the seed of a dream within them.

‘A marvellous account of a remarkable journey. Whether falling through thin ice, admiring the beauties of an Arctic sunset, chatting with a pet thrush called Mavis, or simply describing the mechanics of polar travel, Pen Hadow writes fascinatingly about life - alone - at the top of the world’  - Fergus Flemming, author of Ninety Degrees North and Barrow’s Boys.