Verlinde sponsors The Coldest Journey

The expedition team - led by Sir Ranulph - left London On 6 December 2012 bound for Antarctica. Their aim is to complete ´The Coldest Journey´ - the first-ever trans-Antarctic winter expedition. The Coldest Journey will also attempt to raise USD10 million for Seeing is Believing, a global charitable initiative to fight avoidable blindness. During the sea voyage, the team will undertake a number of scientific tasks to provide unique data on marine life, oceanography and meteorology. Using the very latest technological innovations, this epoch-making journey will pave the way for a new dawn in Antarctica: year-round exploration.

On the equinox, 21 March 2013, the six expedition members will begin a six month journey to reach the Ross Sea. The route from Crown Bay to Captain Scott's base at McMurdo Sound - via the South Pole - will test the limits of human endurance. During this six month period the expedition team will travel nearly 4,000 kilometres, mostly in complete darkness in temperatures as low as -90°C. The expedition team will have to be entirely self-sufficient and there will be no search and rescue facility available, as aircraft cannot penetrate inland during winter due to darkness and risk of fuel freezing.

Verlinde has provided the team with TLV hand lever winches, and PLV hand lever blocks up to 3,2 tons capacity, and an SM10 flight case. They will be used for general lifting and handling of the scientific equipment, cabooses, trucks and ice during the journey.

Brian Newham (Traverse Manager) says: Verlinde have provided key lifting equipment for many of the heavy operations that the expedition are going to be doing throughout their epic journey.

The PLV manual lever hoist is a compact unit for lifting, pulling and sliding. Especially suitable for industrial use and easy to handle, this convenient unit is ready for all sorts of jobs anywhere. It can be used in any position; simply switch the lever to make the PLV easier to handle. Made with special steels, PLV lever hoists are very compact and include a chrome-plated steel hoist and lever plus a reinforced casing that effectively protects mechanisms.

The TLV winch is designed for lifting and pulling loads over long distances. It is built with high resistance aluminium, making it light and easy to handle. Low maintenance makes it ideal for outdoor work. It is delivered with a 20m / 40m rope.