Altro products chosen for first trans-Antarctic winter expedition in Antarctica
Flooring products from Altro have been specified for specially designed cabooses as part of The Coldest Journey, the first-ever trans-Antarctic winter expedition led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is leading the exploration team which will cross Antarctica in winter, one of the last remaining polar challenges. The expedition will be undertaken mostly in complete darkness in extremely low temperatures where the team will undertake a number of scientific tasks to provide unique data on glaciology, marine life, oceanography and meteorology.
Altro Stronghold and Altro Suprema II have been chosen as part of the flooring in specially designed cabooses (sledge-mounted living quarters). The products will also be used for storage and as a base for scientific work.
Altro’s products were chosen after an extensive research with the British Antarctic Survey. According to Sir Ranulph Fiennes, strong flooring is particularly vital in the expedition as the weather conditions would make it very slippery.
Altro Stronghold is 3mm thick flooring designed for safety in wet and greasy conditions, and is suitable where frequent spillages are likely. As well as offering long-term durability, the substantial thickness provides added noise reduction, comfort and strength underfoot. Altro Stronghold also has slip resistance with a TRRL value equal to or greater than 50.
Altro Suprema II incorporates Altro Easyclean Maxis PUR technology, which brings long-term cleanability, making it suitable for use in the cabooses and the harsh terrain. It is available in a palette of 40 colours.
Previously, the furthest any expedition has ever ventured into Antarctica during the winter is 60 miles. On this journey, Sir Ranulph and his team of five will cover 2,000 miles in six months, crossing the polar plateau at an average height of 10,000ft above sea level. Setting sail in the South African ice-strengthened research ship, SA Agulhas, the expedition departed from The Thames on 6 December 2012 to the Lazarev Sea where the traverse will take place between the two seasonal equinoxes, 21 March to 21 September 2013.
The Coldest Journey will attempt to raise over £6 million ($9.4 million) for Seeing is Believing, a global charitable initiative to fight blindness.
