Science on Ice: How I’m Helping Climate Research

After months of training, planning, and dreaming, I had my "why": raising funds for The King’s Trust. But I also wanted to do something more with this journey—something that could give back to the planet I’m crossing. A conversation with Cat the Molar Explorer got me thinking deeper about how.

During one of our catch-ups, we started talking about the historic era of polar exploration: Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton. Back then, these weren’t just daring adventures; they were also scientific missions. Teams carried out experiments, collected data, and contributed to the growing body of knowledge about our planet.

I thought: Why aren’t more modern expeditions doing this?

I knew any scientific angle to my expedition needed to centre around data and climate. During my training trips to Norway, I had already started seeing the effects of climate change firsthand: thinner snowpacks, unpredictable weather, and stories from locals whose livelihoods depend on stable seasons. The impact was real, and the need for better climate data was urgent.

Then, I came across an Instagram post from Ayuka Kawakami (@thepolarjournal) at The Explorers Club. She was learning how to collect ice samples through a citizen science initiative called Science in the Wild, led by Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj Peña from the University of Colorado. That was the moment it all clicked.

I reached out to Dr. Ulyana, and to my delight, she welcomed the partnership.

Now, I am proud to officially collaborate with Science in the Wild. As part of my solo expedition, I will be collecting snow samples along my route to study Light Absorbing Particles (LAPs)—particularly black carbon, tiny soot-like particles that absorb heat and accelerate snow and glacial melt.

While taking on a solo journey means managing all sampling protocols independently on the ice, gathering this vital data along the route to 90° South provides scientists with valuable field measurements from rarely sampled polar corridors

What is Black Carbon?

Black carbon consists of ultra-fine particles (around 2.5 microns) created through incomplete combustion from engines, wildfires, and fossil fuels. These particles are dark and absorb sunlight, so when they land on snow or ice, they cause it to melt faster than clean snow would. Understanding where black carbon is falling—and how much is present—is vital for modelling future climate impacts in polar regions.

Combining polar exploration with citizen science isn’t just a bonus—it’s a return to the roots of exploration. I’m incredibly proud that Frozen Horizons won’t just leave tracks in the snow, but also data points that may help scientists better understand the changing world we live in.