LETTER: Challenge of Antarctica

From Mr Terry Dailey

Sir: Charles Arthur has obviously not understood the role the Internet is playing in Roger Mear's attempt to be the first person to walk across Antarctica alone and without support ("Crossing the Antarctic with a herd of nerds", 28 October).

This epic journey may leave Mr Arthur cold, but but he should not regard his lack of interest as being typical. Thousands of people around the world are captivated by the race between Roger and the Norwegian Borge Ousland, who sets off a few days later with the same objective. As a result, there is enormous media interest in the race and it is for this reason that we are using the Internet to relay news of the two men's progress.

Mr Arthur asks:

If any spotty, overweight nerd can watch one man's battle against nature from the keyboard in the front room, can we really say that Roger Mear is in the wilderness?

Of course he is. His challenge is as great today as Captain Scott's was in 1912. Whether you follow the progress of these brave men by reading a newspaper, watching a television or by accessing information held on a computer, in no way compromises or lessens their achievements.

Yours faithfully,

Terry Dailey

Co-ordinator

Solo Antarctica

Teddington, Middlesex

30 October