Costs of Equipment
It is hoped that individual manufacturers choosing to sponsor the expedition will meet a significant proportion of equipment costs. However, it is important to realise that many of the firms manufacturing such specialised equipment will not have the profits or turnover to justify the level of outlay this would entail, so paying for a significant proportion of the equipment is unfortunately inevitable.

Rab Carrington have already agreed to provide us with expedition status, meaning that we can get specialised polar clothing and sleeping bags at roughly cost price (exact prices are confidential). Suppliers in the local area have also indicated that they would be willing to supply goods at retail cost price, but the team hopes to initially approach manufacturers directly as this will obviously provide the maximum opportunity for cost savings. It is likely that the cost of personal equipment for use in Antarctica will be in the order of £5,000 - 10,000 per person including the cost of group equipment.

Costs of Training
Training will incur minimum costs other than travel and accommodation. It is intended that the team will simulate Antarctic conditions by training in Norway and Scotland. This will mean that equipment can be tested and experience gained in the run up to the expedition. It is hoped that one of the Gold Sponsors will be an airline as this would drastically reduce the costs of this segment of the expedition. If this does not prove to be possible, it is thought that a week for the team in Norway with professional training could be achieved for around £1,500 - £2,000 including accommodation. Obviously these costs could be reduced considerably as more equipment becomes available. As camping becomes possible, accommodation costs would be reduced or eliminated. This would become realistic towards the end of this winter and during the whole of next winter. We are seeking professional advice to assist us in these matters. At that point we will be able to give more exact costs for training activities. Jenex Skis have already agreed to sponsor us by providing four pairs of their training skis for use in training in the UK.

Costs related to Adventure Network International
The biggest single cost to the expedition by some margin is likely to be attributed to Adventure Network International. ANI hold the only commercial licence to operate flights within the Antarctic. The cost is likely to be in the region of £30,000 per head. In addition, ANI also reserve the right to charge extra for any weather related delays incurred, which in the Antarctic environment are almost inevitable. These costs are going to be an ongoing issue, but it is hoped that the fact that we are a charity expedition will give strength to our negotiating position.

Costs of Insurance
Insurance costs are fixed by the company at roughly fifteen percent of the sum insured. Given the costs of equipment and rescue, the total costs of insuring the expedition is likely to be in the region of £60,000. As with the travel costs, it is hoped that an insurance company will be persuaded to join the team as a major sponsor in order to offset these costs. At the time of this site revision, we are also investigating a possible source of insurance that would reduce these costs to approximately £1700. This cannot yet be confirmed.