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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 60

The iconic Immersion Suit (referred to by Pen Hadow as "Mr Orange" on the expedition) used to cross open water and thinly refrozen areas for some 30-40 hours in 2003

Orange-coloured, immersion-proof dry-suit by Helly Hansen, with integral boots, mitts and hood, and heavy-duty rubber pads at palms and soles of feet, good condition, save for broken zip and subsequent makeshift repair with paracord

Seen as images No. 75, 78-81 in SOLO - To The North Pole: Alone and Unsupported. As recalled:

'...and another piece of equipment, again developed by Borge with Helly Hansen Spesialprodukter; a lightweight immersion suit that would enable me to swim the kinds of leads that had sabotaged my first expedition. If I could tackle the thin ice and open water - the main technical hazard - then I could take a relatively straight line to the Pole.'

Pen Hadow recalls his first experience of swimming with this specialist and highly important item of equipment on P231-234 at which point it was christened 'Mr Orange'. Further references are found throughout the work and the importance of this item in the success of the expedition cannot be overstated.

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Sold for
£240

Starting price
£230