Ann Daniels is a world record holder and one of the first women in history to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams. Ann is described by The Daily Telegraph as one of the top 20 Great British Adventurers of all time.
Polar Explorer Ann Daniels is a mother of 4 and a world record holder. As a single mother of triplets she took part in her first North Pole expedition and then skied from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. In 2002, she sledge hauled with Caroline Hamilton from land to the North Pole to become the first all women team in history to ski to the North and South Poles. She has led and worked with many scientific expeditions on the frozen Arctic Ocean to help understand the environmental impact humans are having on these fragile regions.
“In 2005, my attempt at a solo North Pole expedition ended without warning when Russia removed all ice permits and I and every other expedition on the ice were extracted by a Russian MI-8 helicopter. As I boarded the flight, instead of worrying about the failed expedition, I shook myself free of the sadness and thought about the ever-changing ice. The immense pressure ridges and gnarly structures that had been so prevalent in the past had disappeared. Most of the ice was thin and featureless and I had had 5 encounters with Polar bears who were struggling in a world that was changing rapidly. I decided, if I was ever going to put myself through these brutal conditions again it would be for the benefit of this icy wilderness I love so much. I began working and leading scientific expeditions in the Polar regions, working with NASA, The European Space Agency and many scientific institutions globally, collecting data, to help understand the environmental impact humans are having on the world. Polar exploration is about the journey. The ice is never the same. It has its own energy. At times calm and friendly, then fierce and threatening. I truly feel alive when I’m battling against the elements in this mighty but fragile ice scape. As a woman and mother working in a male dominated environment I have learned to believe in my abilities and the abilities of all those powerful and amazing women out there who aren’t afraid to fight for the seemingly impossible. I’m still leading scientific polar expeditions and work with institutions worldwide on the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls. It is vital that we are all represent and thrive in this ever-changing world that we call home.”
Languages spoken: English
Photo credit: ARR