The Crosby Group, Tulsa, Okla., has been chosen as a partner to explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has accepted his toughest challenge yet by trekking across the Antarctic in winter. The challenge has been dubbed "The Coldest Journey."
With the support of the Commonwealth and sponsors, including Crosby Europe, Sir Ranulph and five colleagues are currently testing the limits of human endurance in temperatures that fall as low as -90° C as they cover 2,000 miles in six months crossing the polar plateau.
Not only does the expedition aim to complete the first ever trans-Antarctic crossing during the polar winter, but it is attempting to raise $10 million for “Seeing is Believing,” a global charitable initiative to fight avoidable blindness. All donations will be matched by expedition sponsor, Standard Chartered.
Crosby is supporting this expedition with its full range of COLD TUFF products, which are specifically manufactured to improve working in extreme environments. Crosby’s range of Grade 80 G-2130A alloy shackles are forged, quenched and tempered, hot dip galvanized and DNV-type approved. These features, along with other critical performance requirements such as ductility, an 8:1 design factor, as well as impact properties and full traceability, provide the needed reassurance when working in extreme environments like those expected during Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ expedition.
“Our drive to assist working in these types of environments, from the demands of the energy markets to the safe transportation of vital equipment, makes this expedition very motivational to all involved in the design and manufacture of our equipment,” saidRichard Oldknow, sales and marketing director for Crosby’s European operations.
Crosby is offering full support through training and worldwide technical support for the expedition. “We are extremely honored to be supporting this project and aiding the continued efforts of ‘Seeing is Believing’ in this way,” said Oldknow.
On December 6, 2012, the expedition team left London, bound for Antarctica. On March 21, 2013, the equinox, the six expedition members began a six-month journey to reach the Ross Sea. Using the very latest technological innovations, this mission will pave the way for year-round exploration in the Antarctic.
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