Support Help For Heroes
Patron Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Driven to Extremes

Ranulph Fiennes' EXEL North Pole - Part 5

5th Feb 2000

Operating on frost bitten fingers
Operating on frost bitten fingers

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

Back in England
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.

Related Items

HOMEPAGE :: Ranulph Fiennes North Pole
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5


Expeditions

Past Expeditions

DSCF3091

Oslo to Lisbon 2009 - "The Moss Marathon"

October 2009
The 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.
exel ran covered in ice

Ranulph Fiennes' EXEL North Pole

February 2000
Mac Mackenney was appointed Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'Right-Hand Man' on his attempt at the North Pole.
max_lannie_003_Stretch

Land Rover Global Expedition

March 1998
Max Adventure were chosen to undertake the Logistics and Reconnaissance work for an expedition led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Everest 01

Caudwell Xtreme Everest

March 2007
Max Adventure were contracted to provide the logistics for the largest-ever medical research expedition at high altitude.
36 - Steve Burgess and Dan Evans - a world first

Bering Strait - First Amphibious Crossing

August 2008
Max Adventure were asked to help the Cape to Cape Expedition complete the first ever amphibious crossing of the Bering Strait.
bus_stretched2

London 2012 Olympics - Bus to Beijing

September 2008
Max 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.

home : news : services : expeditions : patrons : sponsors : about : gallery : media : contact
site by rayzume : login