Best Polar

The McMurdo Dry Valleys are a series of ice-free valleys in Victoria Land, Antarctica, forming the largest relatively ice-free area on the continent. They constitute one of Earth's most extreme polar deserts, receiving less than 100 millimeters of annual precipitation. Strong katabatic winds prevent...

The Arctic Desert is a polar desert ecoregion covering high-latitude areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of northern Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Arctic islands. It receives less than 250 millimeters of annual precipitation, mostly as snow. The landscape is characterized by ice caps,...

Ernest Shackleton was an Anglo-Irish explorer whose 1914–16 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition became famous for his leadership after the ship Endurance was crushed by ice, saving all 28 crew members.

The Polar H10 is a Bluetooth-enabled browser extension that facilitates accurate heart rate monitoring. It transmits data wirelessly to devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, primarily benefiting runners, swimmers, and other athletes seeking detailed fitness tracking information. The sensor’s...

Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica, rising to an elevation of 4,892 meters in the Ellsworth Mountains. It was first successfully climbed in 1966 by an American expedition led by Nicholas Clinch. As the highest point of the Antarctic continent, it is one of the Seven Summits sought after...

Fridtjof Nansen was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, and humanitarian whose work ranged from zoology and oceanography to international refugee relief. In 1888 his party completed the first recorded crossing of Greenland's interior, traveling on skis, and his Fram expedition later reached a...

August Heinrich Petermann (1822–1878) was a German cartographer renowned for advancing thematic and polar cartography. In 1855, he founded the geographical journal "Petermanns Geographische Mitteilungen," which became a highly influential publication for geographic research and map distribution. Pet...

While not a wrist-worn device, the Polar H10 is critical for accurate monitoring. It is the gold standard for chest-strap heart rate monitoring, providing the most reliable and scientifically validated heart rate data available. It should be used alongside any wrist-based tracker during intense work...

Barry Lopez’s *Arctic Dreams* chronicles a 1986 expedition through Alaska's North Slope. The book details the stark beauty and challenging conditions of this remote region while examining its indigenous history and ecological fragility. It is notable for Lopez’s evocative prose and deep engagement w...

Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s “The Worst Journey in the World” details his participation in Robert Falcon Scott’s 1912-1913 Terra Nova Expedition. The book provides a stark and unflinching account of the team’s attempt to collect Emperor penguin eggs from Marie Byrd Land. It is notable for its brutally ho...

Designed for the harshest environments on Earth, the Rab Expedition Down is a powerhouse of insulation. It features an incredibly high fill power and a robust construction that can withstand heavy use in polar regions or high peaks. The bag provides exceptional loft, ensuring that even in sub-zero t...

Robert Falcon Scott’s *Last Expedition* offers a poignant firsthand account of the ill-fated British Antarctic expedition (1911-1913). The journals detail his team's arduous journey to be the first to reach the South Pole and provide scientific observations. It is notable for its tragic conclusion,...

Nereid is an AUV specifically designed for exploring beneath ice sheets and in polar regions. Its unique melt-through hull allows it to autonomously penetrate ice up to several meters thick, accessing previously unreachable areas of the ocean. Equipped with sonar, cameras, and sensors for measuring...

Børge Ousland is a Norwegian polar explorer known for long-distance expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1994 he completed the first solo, unsupported journey to the North Pole, and in 1996 to 1997 he became the first person to cross Antarctica alone and without external resupply, using skis...

Ernest Shackleton’s “South!” details the extraordinary ordeal of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1914-1917. The book recounts the ship Endurance becoming trapped in pack ice and the subsequent desperate efforts by Shackleton and his men to survive. Noted for its unflinching account of har...

Richard Byrd was an American naval officer renowned for his pioneering exploration of Antarctica. His leadership directed five significant expeditions to the continent, culminating in a historic 1929 flight across the South Pole. Primarily focused on transatlantic and polar aviation, Byrd’s work pro...

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica is a 2000 survival horror title for the Dreamcast, set three months after Resident Evil 2. The game focuses on Claire and Chris Redfield’s struggle against a viral outbreak at an Antarctic prison island facility. It distinguishes itself with real-time 3D environments a...

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is a British explorer, expedition leader, author, and former soldier. With Charles Burton, he completed the Transglobe Expedition in 1982, the first surface circumnavigation of Earth along a route passing through both polar regions. His expeditions have also included unsupported...

Fridtjof Nansen’s *Farthest North* chronicles his groundbreaking 1897 Arctic expedition aboard the ship Fram. The book meticulously documents the voyage's attempt to reach the geographic North Pole, ultimately ending with the team becoming trapped in ice near Franz Josef Land. Nansen’s detailed obs...

Phoenix was a NASA Mars lander, part of the agency's Scout program, that touched down on May 25, 2008, in the Martian arctic plains of Vastitas Borealis. Its mission was to study the history of water in the planet's polar region and assess habitability. Using its robotic arm, Phoenix dug trenches in...

Valerian Albanov’s “In the Land of the White Death” recounts his extraordinary ordeal following the loss of the Russian vessel *Saint Anna* in 1917. The memoir details his 168 days stranded alone on an ice floe in the Arctic Ocean, a remarkable testament to human resilience and endurance. Albanov’s...

Roald Amundsen’s *The South Pole* chronicles his groundbreaking 1911 expedition to reach the Antarctic continent's geographic south. This two-volume travelogue provides a detailed record of Amundsen’s leadership and strategy, showcasing a pivotal moment in polar exploration. The book is valuable for...

Hampton Sides’ “In the Kingdom of Ice” chronicles the ill-fated 1879 voyage of the USS Jeannette led by Captain Francis W. Walker. The expedition's northward journey into uncharted Arctic waters ended with the ship becoming trapped in pack ice and subsequent abandonment by the crew. Sides meticulous...

The Voyage of the Discovery documents Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s 1905 expedition to Antarctica. This travelogue chronicles the British Antarctic Expedition aboard the research vessel RRS Discovery as it undertook significant mapping efforts and advanced exploration southward. The voyage is notabl...

Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, is a premier destination for extreme adventure. Explore glaciers on foot, kayak amongst icebergs, and embark on thrilling polar bear safaris (with experienced guides, of course!). The rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife offer unparalleled op...

The Polar Vantage V2 is a GPS running watch designed for serious runners seeking precise data and performance analysis. It tracks distance, pace, heart rate, and elevation gain utilizing advanced GPS technology. Notable features include long battery life ideal for ultramarathons and detailed recover...

An African in Greenland is a travel memoir by Tété-Michel Kpomassie, a writer from Togo who became fascinated with Greenland and spent years working his way northward before reaching it. The book recounts his life among Greenlandic Inuit communities and examines food, hunting, housing, family relati...

The Polar Grit X2 Pro Solar is a field watch incorporating integrated solar charging technology to extend battery life and maintain accurate timekeeping in challenging outdoor environments, featuring GPS tracking and robust construction.

The Polar Grit X is built for the orignal outdoor enthusiast. It features a ruggedized design and focuses heavily on recovery metrics, such as Nightly Recharge and Training Load Pro. While it lacks some of the flashy mapping features of Garmin, its focus on physiological data makes it excellent for...