To the end of the Earth: The race to solve Polar exploration’s greatest mystery/ Tom Avery, Atlantic Books

For a change I picked up this book on Polar expedition. Normally I am not too fascinated by sports writing and adventure sport is something far far removed from the staid and boring life I am used to. However not a bad choice given the atmosphere outside which at the moment resembles a raging furnace. Kolkata is boiling and at least in imagination for a while I was being transported to the land of ice and snow whenever I was travelling with Avery in the Polar terrain. Almost over hundred years ago after a daring explorer Robert Peary had announced his conquest of the North Pole and was widely disbelieved, Tom Avery a British explorer decides to make a bid for the North Pole following Peary’s route and methods. Avery being a Peary fan wanted to vindicate the great man’s position which to date is shrouded in mystery. He betters Peary’s record and returns convinced about Peary’s achievements. The tale is engrossing.

The first hand narrative captures in great detail – the “awe inspiring scenery “,”the deafening silence” ,”the raw beauty of Mother Nature” , the” wickedly cruel ,breathtakingly beautiful  wilderness” ,the numerous pressure ridges to negotiate, the extremely arduous nature of the trip, the extraordinary strength of the dog teams who pulled the wooden sleds , the spirit of teamwork and the bonding between man and animal , the occasional frictions amongst team members ,the resilience of the human body and its capacity to withstand extreme climatic conditions , the use of snow bath to cleanse the body and the use of a pee bottle by men  , the sudden encounter with dogs who run away with the toilet roll but lick up the man to clean him up in exchange and many  such captivating incidents fill up the book of  just over 300 pages. Equally fascinating is the story about Peary’s determination to be known as the conqueror of North Pole and the numerous spats between Peary and his adversary and fellow explorer Dr Frederick Cook, who tried to upstage and defame him on several occasions.

Why do some people undertake such hazardous missions in life? For people like Avery it is simple – he enjoys doing it. For people like Peary it was sheer ambition to become a trail blazer. North Pole is now promoted by tour agents who fly tourists to the spot for a fortune. At the summit Avery and his team were greeted by champagne swilling Portuguese tourists who had been flown in from the Ice Station Barneo. The eco-system that existed during Peary’s time no longer exists and the Arctic ice is fast disappearing due to increasing global warming. Avery raises his concern against this impending catastrophe faced by human civilization.

The book is a good read for people who want to know more about the North Pole and also for those who want to know more about adventure sports and about how such expeditions are planned and  organised. A literary writer can only do justice to the romantic beauty of the place.