One man to the pole: Vidmar to embark on epic journey

By JEFF CASPERSEN, Jr./The Daily Journal

Attempting the unthinkable has become a way of life for 1982 Ukiah High School graduate Wave Vidmar.

An adventurous spirit, Vidmar, who just turned 39 years old this week, hopes to accumulate a lengthy and inspiring list of epic — and seemingly impossible — treks in the upcoming years. He already has one such endeavor under his belt.

Back in the fall of 2000, Vidmar conquered America on bicycle. On a whim, Vidmar ordered a bike out of a catalog and pedaled his way 2,690 miles across the country from Santa Monica, Calif., to Jacksonville, Fla.

“The first mile I put on that bike was the first mile of my trip across America,” Vidmar recalled.

Vidmar’s next feat will require a bit more training. In late February of 2004, the former Ukiahan plans on tackling the North Pole. Beginning his northward expedition in Upper Russia’s Artichevsky peninsula, Vidmar will walk, ski and swim nearly 600 miles to the geographic North Pole — and into the record books.

If he completes the trip successfully, Vidmar will become the first American and just third person internationally to make the journey solo and unsupported. Only Norway’s Børge Ousland and England’s Pen Hadow have made similar unsupported ventures. Ousland made the trip up from the Russian side of the Pole in 1994, while Hadow left from Canada, completing his journey in May of this year.

Vidmar will tow all the supplies he will need for the approximately 60-day trip in a sledge weighing in at more than 275 pounds. There will be no replenishment of supplies via air-drop. Thus, distinguishing the trip an unsupported effort.

Taking advantage of today’s technology, Vidmar will remain in constant contact with the outside world. Equipped with a Compaq iPAQ PDA personal computer, he’ll be able send and receive e-mails, graphics, data and even sound and video clips. With an Iridium satellite phone, Vidmar will be granting live interviews to media outlets all over the world.

In negotiating the 600 miles of polar terrain, Vidmar will face temperatures as low as minus-50 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature should register in at about 30-below.

“It’s going to be a little chilly,” Vidmar joked.

Preparing for the excursion is occupying the bulk of Vidmar’s time these days. From fund-raising to rigorous training and equipment selection, the adventurer has much to accomplish in the next seven or so months.

Needing to meet a trip budget of roughly $125,000, Vidmar has been busily raising funds, hitting up sponsors for dollars. Thus far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Heading into this, I was told I’d call 100 people and only get a few yeses,” Vidmar noted. “So far, I’ve made 26 calls and have only had one no. Getting sponsorship hasn’t been a problem. I think it’s because this is such a unique trip.”

In a September training exercise, Vidmar will make another cross-country bicycle trip. This time, he’ll travel from San Diego to Jacksonville Beach, Fla. He also plans a climb of Mt. Shasta and a fall equipment shakeout in Canada. Vidmar will also keep busy with daily training and various climbing and mountaineering excursions.

Vidmar, who now resides in the Bay Area, is currently a consultant for Pinnacle Systems, a prominent digital video company. He has also authored a pair of books on digital video. However, for the next two years, Vidmar will maintain just one job title — professional explorer.

After completing his North Pole trek, Vidmar hopes to wrestle numerous other grueling adventures. In November of 2004, he hopes to become the first American to brave a solo, unsupported trip to the South Pole. Vidmar also wants to row solo across an ocean, most likely the Atlantic, and climb Mount Everest.

Though he’s doing it, Vidmar is unobsessed with compiling a list of firsts. He enjoys challenging himself, not seeing his name in lights.

“Even if 500 people had done it, I’d still do it to feed my soul.”

Why would anybody voluntarily brave such a punishing conquest? Although he insists he is, Vidmar is not your average anybody. He relishes pushing his body and mind beyond perceived limitations, knowing full well that, with a little prodding, anyone is capable of anything.

“We all have a lot of perceived boundaries. I’m more or less an average Joe. I’ve just pushed myself.”

If nothing else, Vidmar hopes to arouse others to test their will, to attempt accomplishing the impossible.

“I like to inspire others. Life is short, so do what you want. Lots of people probably think they can’t ride a bike cross-country. All I did was pick one up out of a catalog and ride. If you can make it the first 10 miles, you can make it the whole way.”
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On the Net:
Check out Vidmar’s North Pole Solo excursion at http://www.northpolesolo.com.