Madcap journeys: the Poles

Fiennes, Ranulph, Mind over matter : the epic crossing of the Antarctic continent. Sinclair Stevenson, 1993. 998.9 FIE

For 97 days Ranulph Fiennes and Mike Stroud fought pain, starvation and snow-blindness in their attempt to make the first unaided crossing of Antarctica from coast to coast.

Hempleman-Adams, David, A race against time : British North Geomagnetic Pole Expedition 1992. Self Publishing Association, 1993. 998 HEM

The 20-day diary record of a "gloriously mad" expedition to the Geomagnetic North Pole. The expedition was not without its dramas as the team covered a distance of 276 miles over some of the loneliest and most dangerous terrain in the world.

Herrick, Warren, A year on ice : living and working in Antarctica, Shoal Bay, 1997. 998.9 HER

Warren Herrick is one of the few New Zealanders to have spent a full twelve months in Antarctica. His book records the realities of day to day human existence in an isolated and unique environment. Accompanied by colour photographs and comments from other New Zealanders who have wintered over, his description of life with the New Zealand Antarctic Programme captures the feeling of life on this amazing continent.

Stroud, Mike. Shadows on the wasteland : crossing Antarctica with Ranulph Fiennes. Cape, 1993. 998.9 STR

A moving account of the author's attempt with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, to make the first unaided crossing of Antarctica from coast to coast.

Thayer, Helen, Polar dream : the first solo journey by a woman to the North Pole. Little Brown, 1993. 998 THA

An inspiring account of Helen's courageous and gruelling journey to the magnetic North Pole. It was a 27 day trek covering 345 miles with her only companion a big, black husky named Charlie.

Wheeler, Sara, Terra incognita : travels in Antarctica, Jonathan Cape, 1996. 998.9 WHE

A remarkably well-researched traveller, Sara Wheeler gives us a refreshing and informative tour of life in the field at the Italian, US and New Zealand stations in Antarctica. She describes a quirky world of beer brewed in fire extinguishers, exploding toilets and housewifely advice on knitting bootees for penguins (it stops them scratching the polished floors.) A very personal journey and a highly readable book.