Expeditions

1997: Ocean Rower

In 1997, Jan took part in the first ever Atlantic Rowing Race, the Port St Charles Barbados Atlantic Rowing Race, successfully rowing 3044 miles across the Atlantic Ocean unsupported in 23-foot (7.0 m) wooden rowing boat in 101 days with her son Daniel Byles.

2007: Polar Racer

In 2007, Jan and Daniel were united in adventure once again when, together with Richard Profit, (a friend of Dan's) they walked and skied 350 nautical miles (560 km) from Resolute Bay to the Magnetic North Pole, hauling all their necessary equipment on sledges. On arriving at the North Pole, Jan and Daniel became the first mother and son to reach any Pole by foot.

During their trek, they survived Polar Bears, temperatures as low as -68ºC, the worst ice conditions for 40 years, miles of rubble fields, sometimes as high as 20 feet, and a near-catastrophic tent fire, which almost brought their adventure to a disastrous end! In fact, Guinness World Records were so impressed by Jan and Daniel's achievement, printing of the 2008 Guinness Book of Records was delayed so it could include the intrepid pair.

2008: Geographic North Pole

Less than 12 months after setting a world record at the Magnetic North Pole, Meek was headhunted by David Hempleman-Adams to join his expedition to the Geographic North Pole to highlight the effects of climate change on ice levels in the Arctic. Also taking part was the renowned Norwegian explorer Rune Gjeldnes and Hempleman-Adams' 15 year old daughter Camilla. The expedition successfully reached the Geographic North Pole on 13 April 2008, where, when they met an expedition from the Indian Navy, they challenged them to a game of cricket at 90º North; every run was ‘round the world’.

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You set exactly the right tone, as well as your wonderful talk it was great the way you mingled and related with everyone, those who didn’t manage to come are now regretting it.

Dr. Jane E. Drummond, MRICS MInstCES FRGS Dept.. Geographical and Earth Sciences UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

email: janmeek@janmeek.com