Adventurer begins new pole trek

Hannah McKeand conquered the South Pole route in 2006

An adventurer from Berkshire is hoping to become the first woman to trek solo and unsupported to the North Pole.

Hannah McKeand, 34, from Newbury, a former theatre manager, has left Ward Hunt Island on the northern coast of Canada to begin her attempt.

The journey, from Canada to the pole, has only been successfully completed once by British explorer Pen Hadow after three attempts.

The 480-mile (772km) trek will see her tackle open water and ice ridges.

'Much tougher'

In December 2006, she became the first person to trek solo and unsupported to the South Pole.

She travelled 690 miles (1,110km) from the edge of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole in 39 days - beating the then record, set in 2004 by 37-year-old Fiona Thornewill, by two days.

Ms McKeand faced temperatures of -35C (-31F) while dragging a sledge weighing 100 kilos (220lbs) across the snow and ice.

She hopes to complete her latest challenge in 60 days.

"Although the distance is shorter than the South Pole route the expedition is much tougher," she said.

"The terrain is extremely rough and the ice drifts away from the pole, so it is rather like being on a conveyor belt and your legs cover a lot more distance than you are moving forward."