Pole Dance: The story of the record-breaking British expedition to the bottom of the world

This is an account by Tom Avery of his expedition to the South Pole in 2002 when he was aged 27. Ever since his mother had given Tom a copy of the Ladybird book of the story of Captain Scott, when Tom was just 7, he had had an ambition to one day trek to the Pole. Tom already had a number of expeditions under his belt and he chose the centenary of Scott's death to launch this, his latest venture which he rather grandly called the 'Commonwealth South Pole Centenary Expedition'.His initial plan was to follow the route which Scott took, starting from the Ross Sea, but logistical problems proved this to be impossible, so instead he started from Hercules Inlet on the Weddell Sea, on the opposite side of Antarctica. The journey would still involve man-hauling in excess of 600 miles, and climbing from sea level to the 10.000ft Antarctic plateau. Thus he would partially replicate Scott's means of travel. Unlike Amundsen, Scott spurned the use of dogs for sledge hauling and today, by international agreement, dogs are not allowed in Antarctica.The book is in large part written in diary form, with additionally a preliminary section on preparation and a conclusion. Avery encountered all the usual problems in preparing for the expedition, from raising finance, selecting suitable companions and getting his equipment right, but despite many pitfalls, he finally started, even though he managed to leave 2 pairs of skis behind in London!I very much enjoyed the book. It is written in a refreshing, straightforward style. It is honest. Avery is the first to admit that compared to the circumstances which Scott faced a hundred years earlier, his polar trek was somewhat less arduous. Modern equipment and clothing is a thousand percent more effective. Dehydrated foods have revolutionised the problem of adequate calory intake. Satellite communication provides daily contact with the outside world (including mum and dad at home). And rescue by plane is relatively (though expensively) available. Despite this however, Avery and his 3 companions faced some very demanding physical and psychological challenges, which on occasion came close to expedition failure.Avery makes it plain throughout the book that Scott was and is his hero. He scorns some of the latter day revisionist interpretations of Scott's performance. A very powerful element of the book is his frequent reference to particular episodes in Scott's trek and their resonance to particular events on his own trek.The book has some super photos, and one good map. Just a pity that more maps of a larger scale were not included to illustrate aspects of the journey.An inspiring journey, and a very readable account. I hope the book gives as much enjoymant to others as it did to me.

Having completed a South Pole I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book is full of so much content, not just from Tom's own experiences during the journey but the wider challenges of embarking on a journey to the South Pole. It is written a nothing barred style and really gets across to the reader the harsh realities of walking to the South Pole. For those considering a walk to the South Pole! or generally intersetd in the amazing feats of human endurance this book will keep you glued to your chair. Sean Chapple author of No Ordinary Tourist and Polar Quest.

A good read. However, it is astonishing for someone twice this man's age to see just how addicted the next generation are to their ipods. The first thing he tells us when he sets of on the expedition is not his first impression of being out on the snow, but what music he's listening to. The constant need to be in touch with family and friends by phone on a polar expedition is slightly wearing, but lends the author a spirit of charming naivety (note the choice of book title). The impression gained is that polar exploration is just one step short of a tourist activity. It would be good to contrast this book with an expedition done the old way. All the same, it is well and entertainingly written and they did set some kind of record for the fastest trip. The hardships of skiing hundreds of miles in very low temperatures are vividly described.

British Explorer Tom Avery's account of his journey to the South Pole reassures the modern reader that polar record-breaking and arctic adventure have not been relegated to the past. Tom makes clear that the expeditions of Scott and Shackleton have been a massive inspiration and his book provides a fascinating insight into the kit available to them and their chosen routes. However Pole Dance sees 27 year old Tom keeping his feet firmly on the ground. Despite using past polar explorations to research his own trip, he never wastes time trying to reinact their heroics. Tom's quest to find sponsorship, a pair of walking shoes that fit and a team of fellow explorers willing to risk their lives and spend months away from their families in Arctic temperatures is documented with an honesty and sincerity unusual to travel writing. Tom's incredible highs are juxtaposed with excrutiating lows. A pair of skis left behind in a London flat, a prematurely eaten chocolate bar and encounters with a rival explorer are amongst the touching and often amusing moments disclosed in Tom's diary. Whether you share Tom's passion for polar exploration or simply want to encounter the treacherous path he must tread as he attempts to fulfill his dream, Pole Dance will certainly leave you anticipating Tom's 2005 expedition to the North Pole.