Land Rover to support epic South Pole mission

An attempt to retrace Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole will be fronted by Land Rover later this year.

British explorer and Land Rover Global Brand Ambassador Ben Saunders will be accompanied on the expedition by professional adventurer Tarka L’Herpiniere.

They aim to be the first pair to accomplish the return polar journey, almost 100 years after Scott’s heroic attempt.

The 1,800-mile trek will be the longest unsupported polar expedition made and will set new benchmarks in the use of high-tech digital equipment - enabling the pair to send film, images and social media updates direct from Antarctica.

Ben is one of Britain’s most accomplished and experienced explorers and has been a Land Rover Global Brand Ambassador since 2008.

He was supported by the company in his attempt to break the speed record for a solo ski journey to the North Pole later that year.

“Ben is a true ambassador for Land Rover and the Scott Expedition promises to reinforce his status as a worthy successor to Captain Scott and the other great polar explorers in history,” explains Mark Cameron, Land Rover’s Global Brand Experience Director.

“We are pleased to support him and the entire expedition team in their exceptional ambition; it represents perfectly our brand’s heritage and its vision for endurance and achievement in the toughest environments.”

Though a Land Rover fanatic, the iconic vehicle will not be accompanying the pair on their trip. Ben and his fellow traveller Tarka will haul everything they need to make their journey on two sledges – each carrying 200kg of food and equipment.

The custom made snow vehicles use carbon fibre to keep the overall weight down and to withstand the rigours of extreme low temperatures and rough ice terrain.

“The Scott Expedition will be both the greatest and most meaningful challenge I’ve ever taken on,” said Saunders.

It will require every inch of resilience and determination we can summon. Completing Scott’s Terra Nova expedition is a life-long dream of mine and I’m extraordinarily grateful for the support of Land Rover and Intel in making the Scott Expedition a reality.”