A veteran British explorer who becomes the first person to climb each continent’s tallest mountain will attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an open-basket gas balloon
- Sir David Hempleman-Adams’ challenge is expected to last four to five days
An experienced British explorer will attempt the first flight across the Atlantic next month in an open-basket hydrogen gas balloon.
Sir David Hempleman-Adams, 66, was the first person to complete the adventurers’ Grand Slam: he climbed the highest peak on every continent, including Everest and Kilimanjaro, and reached the geographic and magnetic north and south poles.
His final challenge is expected to take four to five days to complete – and will also involve collecting air samples as part of a scientific study.
“This will keep us feeling young at heart and make sure we enjoy every minute on this earth,” he said.
Sir David will make the journey in the Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer balloon with two old friends: American balloon manufacturer Bert Padelt, 62, and Swiss scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Frederick Paulsen.
Sir David Hempleman-Adams (pictured), 66, will attempt the first flight across the Atlantic in an open-basket hydrogen gas balloon next month
Sir Hempleman-Adams will be joined by American balloon manufacturer Bert Padelt, 62, and Swiss scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Frederik Paulsen, 72, as they attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an open-basket gas balloon
British explorer David Hempleman-Adams leaves next month
They will start in the northeastern US state of Maine, fly at an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet over Newfoundland, Canada, across the Atlantic Ocean and land in Europe.
If successful, it will be the first Atlantic crossing in a hydrogen balloon and could be the longest distance traveled in this type of balloon.
Sir David will also become the only person to cross the Atlantic three times in an open basket balloon.
He first achieved the feat in 2003 and completed it again in 2007.
The crew, with a combined age of more than 200 years, could also be the oldest person to cross the Atlantic in an open-basket gas balloon.
The challenge is expected to last four to five days and will also involve collecting air samples as part of a scientific study
Sir David Hempleman-Adams, 66, was the first person to complete the Adventurers’ Grand Slam: he climbed the highest peak on every continent, including Everest and Kilimanjaro, and reached the geographic and magnetic north and south poles
If successful, it will be the first Atlantic crossing in a hydrogen balloon and could be the longest distance traveled in this type of balloon
The Wiltshire explorer said he and his crew “get more adventurous with age.”
Sir David added: ‘People think we’re a bit crazy doing this, but it really makes you feel like you’re alive to push the boundaries and see what’s possible at any age.’
During the trip, the team will collect air samples for a new study supported by biological data company Basecamp Research.
It is hoped that these samples will help discover new microbes that could lead to the discovery of natural proteins, which can then be used to develop new products such as medicines, biofuels or bioplastics.