The B.I.G. North Pole Research Expedition: A Mission to the Melting Arctic
Before It’s Gone
In April 2023, The B.I.G. North Expedition set off for the North Pole with a critical mission: to gather scientific data on sea ice, snow composition, and atmospheric conditions. With global temperatures rising due to greenhouse gas emissions, Arctic sea ice is disappearing at an alarming rate.
Led by renowned polar explorer Felicity Aston, a team of researchers ventured into one of the planet’s harshest environments. Traveling by ski, they hauled sledges loaded with essential equipment across the shifting ice. To protect their gear in these extreme conditions, they relied on specially designed covers by Groundtruth Global, made using PolyCore’s Eco-Coating technology.
“Collaborating with such an innovative company has been fantastic. The expedition sledge covers are integral to our expedition—these are literally the best piece of expedition gear I have ever used.”
-Felicity Aston OBE, B.I.G. North Expedition Lead
At PolyCore, we’re proud to support this vital mission. Our team deeply values the expedition’s purpose and is honored to contribute through our partnership with GroundTruth Global, helping to advance scientific research in one of the planet’s most challenging environments.
You may be wondering why Arctic Sea Ice is melting so fast? Let’s break it down:
Since scientists began monitoring Earth’s average global temperature in 1880, data has shown a steady rise, with an uninterrupted warming trend starting in 1976 due to increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels. One of the most alarming consequences of this warming is its impact on the Arctic ice sheet, where rising temperatures are directly causing sea ice to melt at an unprecedented rate.
This melting triggers a dangerous feedback loop: as bright, reflective ice disappears, it exposes darker ocean water, which absorbs more sunlight instead of reflecting it back into space. This absorption further warms the ocean, causing even more ice to melt and amplifying the overall effects of climate change. This process has caused the Arctic to warm at nearly 4 times the rate of lower latitudes.
Since satellite monitoring of Arctic sea ice began in 1979, a clear and consistent decline has been observed. Climate simulations suggest that, at the current rate of warming, the Arctic Ocean could become seasonally ice-free as early as 2040. This leads to a host of issues you can read more about here. This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a global crisis.
The importance of this research is undeniable. Collecting data in the Arctic requires meticulous planning, only to face constant adaptations due to unpredictable weather conditions. Successfully completing a mission like this demands both grit and brainpower, qualities this badass group of women has in spades. Leading the charge is their fearless and seasoned leader, Felicity Aston. In 2012, she became the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Adding to her impressive repertoire, Aston was appointed MBE in 2015 for her contributions to polar exploration and awarded the prestigious Polar Medal.
This marks the team’s third expedition to the Arctic. This time, their journey led them to Drangajökull, the northernmost glacier in Iceland, situated just south of the Arctic Circle. Remote and rarely visited, Drangajökull's unique geography allows for a full traverse, allowing the team to cross its three summits while collecting data at regular intervals. A typical expedition yields over 80 kilograms of snow, ice, and water samples along with hundreds of points of data on snow, arctic clouds, albedo and air quality. These are crucial for understanding the extent of pollution from plastics and lead, as well as the processes that carry these contaminants to such a distant and pristine corner of the planet.
Learn more about Before It’s Gone expeditions here, and stay tuned for the next one!