No one will pay you for planning an expedition at first: you have to work in pubs at weekends so you can pay the gas bills. I joined the Territorial Army, which paid me when I turned up to drill nights, and so did my wife.

There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

While I was serving, I worked as an adventure training officer, teaching soldiers how to ski, canoe and climb.

People who go to the polar regions are statistically less likely to die than salesmen who drive on motorways in England.

It is a truism to say that the dog is largely what his master makes of him: he can be savage and dangerous, untrustworthy, cringing and fearful; or he can be faithful and loyal, courageous and the best of companions and allies.

The ultimate starting point for planning any adventure or expeditionby far and away the greatest book on earth

There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing