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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 67

The surviving Ski used by Pen Hadow in 2003

Bespoke Norwegian-made ski, by Asnes, maker's label at back of ski not legible and worn, approximately 1.85m in length, white top colour, with NATO-120 boot binding and remaining synthetic 'skin' fitted to base for sledging on the Arctic Ocean sea ice, good condition

Seen in image No. 47 in SOLO - To The North Pole: Alone and Unsupported. As recalled:

'My skis were specially made for me by Arthur Asnes of Asnes Ski in Norway, and Helge Hoflandsal, who had given me much technical support with skis, skins and bindings in the past. They looked like standard Sondre skis but had been reinforced with an additional 200g of fibreglass and resin, giving 65% extra strength for a minimal increase in weight. It was vital, given the abuse the skis would take while bridging gaps between the ice-blocks, or coping with sudden shock loads as the sledge careered about on pressure ridges.'

On Day 44 Pen fell through weak ice and found himself up to his neck in freezing Arctic water. He had skied onto a deceptively thinned section and had begun to loosen the toe bindings on the skis as he sensed he may be about to be submerged. During the struggle for survival and in the process of hauling himself and his clothing out from the water (fully saturated as he had not put on the immersion suit) he lost his left ski. Thankfully his sledge was safely on the edge of the shelf and once he was free of the water the first instinct was to locate the ski. Going on without it would certainly add days to the expedition and make it far more treacherous as the sea ice continued its early summer thaw. But with serious hypothermia setting in, he called it a day and made camp..

The next day, 1 May 2003, he set up his video and filmed himself searching for the ski, but it was not to be found. The North Pole was eventually reached with the single ski which is offered here.

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Sold for
£300

Starting price
£300