The rolling hills of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland is the last place you'd expect to find a polar explorer. But that's where one intrepid researcher has been training to prepare himself for a 560km trek across the arctic.

From the Sunshine Coast to the Arctic, Aussie Scientist Embarks on a Pioneering Trek

Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, an unconventional setting serves as the training ground for an Aussie scientist with a mission far beyond the tropics. Dr. Adrian McCallum, a seasoned polar explorer and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, is rigorously preparing for a grueling 560km trek across the Arctic. Unlike most scientists, McCallum is a hands-on researcher who complements his scientific pursuits with extreme physical challenges. His unique training regimen includes dragging tires across the hilly terrain of his local area, sometimes adding the extra weight of a pram pushed in front of him, to replicate the conditions he will face in Greenland.

Dr. McCallum's upcoming journey across Greenland’s icy expanse is not merely an adventure; it serves a crucial scientific purpose. Alongside four international adventurers, he plans to demonstrate that valuable scientific research in polar environments can be conducted in a lightweight and cost-effective manner. The focus of his study will be on the snow density and the thickness of the ice sheet. McCallum emphasizes the far-reaching implications of his research, particularly for countries like Australia, which might be significantly impacted by the melting of the Greenland ice cap. 

The trek poses a multitude of challenges, from carrying a sledge loaded with approximately 100 kilograms of clothing, food, and scientific equipment, to the harsh reality of surviving in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. The team’s diet will heavily depend on butter, selected for its high caloric density, essential for enduring the extreme conditions. Crevasses, the threat of polar bears, and the sheer physical demand of the journey underscore the expedition's risks. However, Dr. McCallum's role extends beyond research; he is responsible for ensuring the team's safety amid these daunting adversities.

Beyond his exploits in the polar regions, Dr. McCallum is dedicated to education and inspiring the next generation. As head of engineering, he advocates for pushing students out of their comfort zones, mirroring his own approach to both life and research. Looking forward, McCallum aims to establish a global program for aspiring polar explorers, encouraging students to pursue their dreams and delve into the uncharted realms of science and exploration.



Aussie scientist preparing for a trek across the Arctic

Dr Adrian McCallum is not your typical scientist, he's a bit more hands on. The seasoned polar explorer has been putting in the hard yards as he prepares for his latest mission. So I started dragging one tyre and there's not many flat areas in Malania so every tyre drag session is a hilly session and then after a couple of weeks I added my second tyre and then when I really feel like a workout I push one of my children in a pram as well. The workout will help the explorer prepare for lugging a sledge with about 100 kilograms of clothing, food and scientific equipment across Greenland's ice sheet. He'll be trekking on foot alongside four international adventurers. To demonstrate that you can do science in the polar environments in a lightweight and relatively cheap manner. Dr McCallum plans to study the snow density to gain a better understanding of the thickness of the ice sheet. It's actually places like Australia that might be more affected by melting of the Greenland ice cap so it's not apparent, it's not obvious but there's a lot of sense for Australia, for Australians to be doing work in the Arctic. His job is also to keep everyone alive. One of the primary foods we'll be eating is butter and that's because butter is the most calorie dense food that we can carry. It could get as cold as minus 30 which is quite uncomfortable. They'll need to tread carefully to avoid crevasses and evade other threats on the ice. We need to be aware of polar bears because they're of course looking for food and we could be a food source. Dr McCallum's day job at the University of the Sunshine Coast is as a lecturer and head of engineering. I'm a huge believer in getting students out of their comfort zone. For anyone else dreaming of becoming a polar explorer, Dr McCallum plans on setting up a global program so that they too can follow in his footsteps. To encourage them to be all that they can be and chase their dreams.

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