The test-expedition will depart Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on April 17 and fly via Oslo, Norway to Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen. Three days later the expedition is scheduled to board an Antonov 74 bound for the "Borneo" polar base camp, located on the frozen Arctic Ocean at a latitude of approximately 89°N.

Immediately following a spectacular landing, the latest data on the terrain and the drift of the sea ice will be checked. There will be just enough time for a cup of hot tea or coffee before an MI-8 helicopter will drop the expedition off at the strategic location from where the North Pole can realistically be reached within a week.

The first day is a relatively short one and is spent getting used to the daily routine. Everyone will get used to skiing, pulling the sled, setting up tents, cooking, and to choosing a route between water channels and pressure ridges. Then comes the real hard work....

The daily numerous readings of the thickness of the snow cover, the temperature readings in the snow layers at representative depth, the daily log, the communication procedures, and technology tests that include the activation and monitoring of the prototype weather and positioning beacon. And just to make sure the expedition spends its time well, there will be extensive filming and photography sessions for several media productions that are planned for this year and next year's post-expedition phase.

Well, let's not forget it is, of course, a great reward for the volunteers to make it to the Geographic North Pole. Imagine being guided by your GPS over the last few meters to the magical latitude of 90°N. This is the point where all the lines of longitude meet and each step will take you in a southerly direction.