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Last Updated: Monday May 02 2005 16:11 GMT

Record breaking explorers return

Tom Avery arrives home
A group of explorers who smashed the world record for reaching the North Pole on foot have arrived back home.

British explorer Tom Avery led the team of five, who reached the Pole on April 26, taking just 36 days, 22 hours and 11 minutes to complete the climb.

The expedition recreated that of Commander Robert Peary, who in 1909 said he reached the North Pole in 37 days, which some said was impossible.

Mr Avery told the BBC: "It feels fantastic that we've finally made it."

The team used similar equipment to make the expedition a realistic comparison to Commander Peary's, using 16 dogs to pull two sledges that were replicas of those used by the early explorer.

Speaking from the North Pole Mr Avery said: "I am more convinced than ever Peary did what he claimed to have done, having travelled in the same style with dog and sledges."

Massive expedition

The team celebrate at the North Pole
The team celebrate at the North Pole
During the trek the team covered 423 nautical miles, over ice ridges up to 10m high and in temperatures as low as -40C, which is equivalent to -55C with wind chill.

The completed expedition means Mr Avery has become the youngest Briton to walk to both the North and South Poles.

In 2002 his journey to the South Pole broke the record for fastest on-foot expedition.



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