Ranulph Fiennes' EXEL North Pole - Part 5
5th Feb 2000
36 hours after that I was at Ottawa General Hospital watching as a surgeon stripped skin and sliced blisters from my fingers. For the next 2 weeks I received daily treatment in a hyperbaric-oxygen chamber.
Back in England I allowed the damaged tissue to slowly heal in readiness for the end-knuckles of the thumb and each finger to be amputated. I took penicillin for 4 months to keep gangrene out of the open cracks, where the damaged but live flesh met the dead and blackened finger-ends.
By the end of June I was able to saw the dead finger-ends off with a fret-saw. This helped the new stump areas heal in readiness for final surgery by an expert plastic surgeon.
Back in England
I suppose, over 26 years of polar travel, the frostbite odds were always narrowing. This time they caught up with me, which was a shame because everything was looking good, the gear was excellent and I felt fit for the job.
There is of course, never any point in crying over spilt milk - the key is to learn from failures and then to keep going.
HOMEPAGE :: Ranulph Fiennes North Pole
Part 5
Past Expeditions
October 2009The Max Adventure team are to recreate a historic drive by Stirling Moss as part of their ‘warm-up’ training to the London to Cape Town run.
February 2000Mac Mackenney was appointed Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'Right-Hand Man' on his attempt at the North Pole.
March 1998Max Adventure were chosen to undertake the Logistics and Reconnaissance work for an expedition led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
March 2007Max Adventure were contracted to provide the logistics for the largest-ever medical research expedition at high altitude.
August 2008Max Adventure were asked to help the Cape to Cape Expedition complete the first ever amphibious crossing of the Bering Strait.
September 2008Max Adventure were tasked with planning and leading an overland journey from London to Beijing as part of the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.