Canadian explorer and adventurer Laval St. Germain to embark on South Pole expedition
CALGARY, Aug. 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Laval St. Germain, a Calgary resident and one of the world's top explorers, has announced his next expedition, entitled "90˚ South, 7th Summit" which is set to launch this November.
St. Germain, who has summited the tallest peaks on six of the seven continents, will embark on a solo unsupported full-length ski to the South Pole, followed by a climb of Mount Vinson, the highest peak on the Antarctic continent.
The solo ski will cover 1,200 km with St. Germain pulling 100 kg of gear behind him in a sled, and is anticipated to take approximately 45 days to reach the South Pole. From there, he will travel to the base of Mount Vinson, and climb to its 4,852 m peak, which will take approximately 10 days.
"I love to challenge people to stay healthy, be fit and chase their own challenges and goals," says St. Germain. "I'm a family man with a career, and I've had my share of triumphs and challenges. I hope this expedition will serve to inspire others to make the most of their lives, in a way that's meaningful to them."
The expedition is part of St. Germain's quest to complete the Explorers' Grand Slam, completing the Seven Summits, plus full length expeditions to the North and South poles. Roughly 12 people have ever completed this challenge, the same number who have visited the moon. However, St.Germain wants to make it an Explorers' Grand Slam Plus: the plus being the addition of a solo ocean crossing by rowboat.
St.Germain's team back in Calgary will include his wife Janet, daughter Andréa and son Eric, along with his longtime expedition dispatcher and weather expert, James Redeker.
The expedition will raise dollars for an important cause for St. Germain, the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
"For years I have done these kinds of trips and only came back with photos, videos, stories, scars and memories," he says. "Life is short and precious, and I am determined to make a difference. When I rowed alone across the Atlantic ocean in 2016, I vowed to raise $200,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. I reached the coast of France in record time but didn't reach my fundraising goal. This expedition is about unfinished business – reaching the pole, the summit, and most importantly, raising funds for cancer."
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is the official fundraising partner for all 17 cancer centres in Alberta, including the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary and the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
"I am always humbled by donors like Laval, whose passion enables the foundation to push the pace of progress that leads to faster diagnoses, ground-breaking research and leading-edge treatments right here at home," says George Andrews, President and CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. "In partnership with the brightest minds and with compassionate care, the foundation and our donors are making life better for Albertans facing cancer."
St. Germain's outdoor adventure accolades and expertise to date are numerous, and include:
Only Canadian to summit Mount Everest without oxygen
Only person to climb and ski Iraq's highest mountain, Cheekah Dar
Climbed and skied Nunavut's highest mountain, Barbeau Peak
Climbed and skied Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan
Climbed the highest peak in 18 countries
Cycled from the Arctic Ocean to Yukon in winter
World-record crossing of the North Atlantic ocean by solo row boat
A Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
St. Germain is currently securing partners who share his values to help support his quest. For more information, please visit www.lavalstgermain.com. To donate to his mission, please visit https://albertacancer.ca/lavalstgermain2018?frsid=23723.
About Laval St. Germain: An expert at turning dreams into goals into reality, Laval St.Germain knows what it takes to unzip the tent door and step out from high camp on Everest for a cold, gasping, trip to the top or to shove off the dock to row alone across the North Atlantic Ocean. Laval is an acclaimed keynote speaker, airline pilot and adventurer.
Visit www.lavalstgermain.com.
For further information: For media information: Paula Worthington for Laval St. Germain,
E: paula@worthingtonpr.com | P: (403) 585-2429; For charity information: Paula Colvin, Marketing Manager, Alberta Cancer Foundation, E: paula.colvin@albertacancer.ca | P: (780) 643-4405
