A British adventurer has accomplished a remarkable feat by becoming the first individual to reach seven out of the eight most remote locations on the planet.
Chris Brown, aged 63, set out on a mission to visit all eight Poles of Inaccessibility (PIAs), which are the farthest points on continents or oceans from the sea in any direction. He successfully reached six of these locations across North America, South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and the oceanic pole at Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean.
Point Nemo, situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is exceptionally isolated, being closer to the International Space Station passing overhead than any landmass. The ISS orbits at a distance of 370 km to 460 km above Earth’s surface, while the nearest landmass, Ducie Island in the Pitcairn group, is 2,688 km (1670 miles) away.
Having conquered six PIAs, Chris recently achieved his seventh by reaching the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility, also known as the Arctic PIA, located approximately 400 miles from the geographic North Pole. This accomplishment marks him as the first person in history to reach seven PIAs, leaving just one remaining – the Eurasian pole in northwestern China. Additionally, Chris is the father of Olympic bobsleigh athlete Axel Brown.
Originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Chris faced a setback in 2019 when his attempt to reach the Northern Pole failed. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “This accomplishment feels like a long time coming. When I initially set out to visit all the poles of inaccessibility, I thought reaching three or four would be attainable. But here we are! Never give up. Just never give up.”
The Northern PIA, located at 85°48′N, 176°09′E, has been a challenging target for explorers over the years due to its extreme remoteness, shifting ice conditions, and harsh cold. Numerous adventurers, including Sir Wally Herbert and Jim McNeill, have made attempts to reach this elusive point without success.
Despite facing obstacles, Chris persevered and successfully reached the Northern PIA by embarking on an expedition aboard the icebreaker ‘Le Commandant Charcot.’ With determination and support from his team, he navigated through icy terrain to accomplish his goal on September 18.
During his journey, Chris also visited the geographic North Pole, engaging in various activities such as hiking on ice, cross-ice skiing, snowshoeing, and kayaking. Notably, as a world record holder for diving, he even took an Arctic Plunge into the frigid waters with a temperature of -2.
His route to the Northern PIA passed by Henrietta Island, Cape Arctic on Severnaya Zemlya, and Ellesmere Island, where he encountered Arctic wildlife like foxes, walruses, and humpback whales. Notably, he spotted polar bears, experienced the limited sunlight in the region, and expressed gratitude to his team for their support in achieving this remarkable feat.
For more updates on Chris Brown’s adventures, visit brown.co.uk and learn about the Poles of Inaccessibility at inaccessibility.net.