0:00:02 > 0:00:07The Arctic, one of the harshest environments on the planet.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Warm my hands up before they get excruciatingly cold.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Temperatures can sink to minus 50 centigrade,
0:00:15 > 0:00:21the wind can reach 110 miles an hour and all that's between you
0:00:21 > 0:00:25and two and a half miles of ink-black Arctic ocean
0:00:25 > 0:00:28are a few thin inches of ice.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Your pole goes in, you're out of your harness and go to the bottom of the sea.
0:00:37 > 0:00:43Into this extreme, four wounded British soldiers...
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Ohh, right on the ribs!
0:00:45 > 0:00:48It is quite hard. We're not making a lot of ground.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..two expedition founders...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54It's the end of day... Oh, holy cow.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56..one polar guide...
0:00:56 > 0:01:01We have to be more careful because the pulk can just run over and break your leg.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03..and one prince.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08No matter who you are, unless you really hate the cold, this place is amazing.
0:01:10 > 0:01:17Together, they'll attempt the first unsupported trek to the North Pole by wounded servicemen.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26If successful, they'll set a new world record.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32This is the story of their journey
0:01:32 > 0:01:35from the battlefields of Afghanistan
0:01:35 > 0:01:37to top of the world.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50It's 2.50am.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55The team, and expedition patron Prince Harry, have just landed
0:01:55 > 0:01:59on the frozen Arctic Sea at the Russian ice station, Barneo.
0:01:59 > 0:02:06- Welcome to Barneo.- This is their first time anywhere like this.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09I'm standing on a floating ocean. It's quite cool.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13From here, it's a 90-minute helicopter ride
0:02:13 > 0:02:17to their start point, 160 miles from the North Pole.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Nearly three o'clock.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21As you can see, it's still light.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Therefore, one's body clock is in all sorts of disarray.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29We were told sun, clear sky and no wind and minus 15.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33It's solid cloud and minus 28 in the wind.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37For the four wounded servicemen, this will be
0:02:37 > 0:02:42their toughest physical and mental challenge since being injured.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44This is a journey into the unknown,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48but also a journey of recovery.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51'There's probably a pretty good reason
0:02:51 > 0:02:57'Why nobody with a disability has been to the North Pole unsupported before, cos it's hard.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01'This will be the single biggest test that I've probably ever had.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'It's one of the great greatest challenges out there.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11'It's no question in any of our heads, we are going to get there, simple as.'
0:03:11 > 0:03:15'No amputee has ever done this and I want to do something that
0:03:15 > 0:03:18'makes people think, "Christ, that's pretty hard work."'
0:03:19 > 0:03:27'With the group we are and the variety of injuries, it's going to be a life changing experience.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31'I want to prove to everyone that this is what I'm capable of doing.'
0:03:31 > 0:03:35'It will be a very special moment. I think they'll be
0:03:35 > 0:03:39'all bawling their eyes out, fully grown men crying, when they get to the end of it,
0:03:39 > 0:03:44'because then they deserve to feel that emotional rush that they will get, no doubt.'
0:03:49 > 0:03:53It's 4.45 in the morning and the team are at their start point.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00Captain Guy Disney with the Light Dragoons is a right leg amputee.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05It's the most amazing landscape I've ever seen in my life
0:04:05 > 0:04:09and I think we're about to feel pretty isolated when the helicopter goes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15From here, it's a long slog across the ice to the Pole,
0:04:15 > 0:04:22pulling everything they need in 100-kilo pulks, or sleds.
0:04:22 > 0:04:28Captain Martin Hewitt's right arm was paralysed while serving with the Parachute Regiment.
0:04:28 > 0:04:34I fell asleep on the helicopter on the flight in and got off completely relaxed
0:04:34 > 0:04:41and didn't have my orange jacket on, and I got off and I was like, "Oh, my word, it's quite cold."
0:04:41 > 0:04:48South African Jaco Van Gass, also a Para, had his left arm blown off in Afghanistan.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Once this chopper leaves,
0:04:51 > 0:04:58we are officially the most northern people for 2011.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Aren't we, Dags?- We are.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04We are the most northerly people on Earth at the moment.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Early, very, very early.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Bit of peace and quiet.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Been a while. It's a nice place.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16It's quite far to come for some peace and quiet, though.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I'm not going to lie. It's pretty far away. But, hey,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22amongst friends. What could possibly go wrong?
0:05:22 > 0:05:29Welsh Guardsman Sergeant Stephen Young had his back broken in an explosion.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Number one, put the tent up, so let's get cracking.
0:05:33 > 0:05:39The plan is to rest a few hours before setting off at midday.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45Guy and Martin are sharing a tent with expedition founder, Simon Daglish.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47OK, you're in, Guy.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52While Jaco and Steve are with expedition founder, Ed Parker.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Prince Harry's in with the guide, Inge Solheim.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01How to make a tent in under five minutes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14The tents are pitched together to help protect against polar bears and the team are armed as well.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Yeah.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25It's unlikely they'll encounter a polar bear this far north,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28but it's a precaution all Arctic explorers take.
0:06:31 > 0:06:37Tents pitched, next it's melting snow for water, and that means lighting their stoves.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48That would be good - day one, within the first hour...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Fooh! Eyebrows gone.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Now we're good.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Cooking on gas.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58It's one of those things if you get wrong in a tent like this,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01then you spend about a minute standing around
0:07:01 > 0:07:04with a giant hand warmer and then a few days without a tent.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07It's really that simple.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15We're just catching up doing a diary.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19I hate to say it, I'm probably the least imaginative person in the world.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25I don't tell people I love them, I don't write warming words in diaries.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I've been described by one ex-girlfriend as emotionally numb.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32It isn't a good thing. I don't think it was a compliment.
0:07:32 > 0:07:40So my diary at the moment is, "Just landed on the ice from Barneo at 0500. It's now 0600."
0:07:40 > 0:07:45I put, "incredible wilderness", which is pretty descriptive for me.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49You take a look outside and it is utterly stunning, it really is.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54The nickname is the Devil's Dancefloor, but it's pretty much
0:07:54 > 0:07:57as close to God as it gets. It's pretty special out there.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08The team go to sleep.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Bye.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22When they wake up,
0:08:22 > 0:08:27they spend two hours rehydrating their rations and making water for the day ahead.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It's actually quite mild today.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- It's a bit windy.- It's minus seven in here.- Yeah, a cosy minus seven.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It's all running like clockwork.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43How was your first night on the Arctic Ocean?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45It was good. Do you want me to wipe that?
0:08:49 > 0:08:54That better? It was good. It was really toasty warm.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57I wasn't cold once. Both of us were snoring our heads off,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01and I woke up satisfied that I've had enough sleep.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05You seem to get on well with the guys.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08As far as I am concerned, I'm one of the lads. I probably have
0:09:08 > 0:09:12three different lives. One's my military life, one's my private life
0:09:12 > 0:09:14and one's the sort of the public stuff.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19It all intertwines with each other, but, you know,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23me as a military man is probably my number one favourite
0:09:23 > 0:09:26because you get to spend time with people like this.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28It is very special.
0:09:30 > 0:09:37Getting kit right is essential in these extremes, particularly for delicate injuries.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41For Jaco, keeping his stump protected is a priority.
0:09:41 > 0:09:47I've got, in total, four insulation layers. That should keep it warm.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49So it's nice and toasty.
0:09:49 > 0:09:56Martin's paralysed right arm is also vulnerable in the cold.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Just trying to sort the old glove out.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04I've got a hand warmer in there to try and insulate the hand a little.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06You all OK?
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Off we go.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16They set off at 1.26, heading across the frozen Arctic sea.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20This is rather unique.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It's barren,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25it's oppressive, it's unforgiving.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28It's quite surreal.
0:10:31 > 0:10:37The team have 160 miles of icy wilderness ahead of them.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40They need to average ten miles a day
0:10:40 > 0:10:44to arrive at the geographic North Pole, the top of the world,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46in 16 days' time.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56So, you're looking at me, I'm looking at you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I'm thinking to myself,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04"What are you thinking while you watch this?"
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Well, I'm about 20 yards behind Stephen,
0:11:10 > 0:11:15all in a single line, all for one good cause.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20I tell you what, these guys, amazing, absolutely astonishing.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28Despite its raw beauty, this is a dangerous place.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32The weather can turn in seconds, the ice can split apart
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and the extreme cold takes a severe toll.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Within 30 minutes, it's claiming its first victim.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53- Yeah, your chin here has already been frostbitten.- Yeah.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56See, it's white.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59The hood should cover you
0:11:59 > 0:12:02so it protects your face.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05You guys have to watch out for each other.
0:12:05 > 0:12:11When skin freezes, the first stage of damage is frost nip.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Next it's frostbite, which can lead to amputation.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Wind-chill just caused a little bit of frost nip on my cheek here,
0:12:19 > 0:12:24so I'm just trying to stay out of the wind, try to keep that covered.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Getting a cold injury is serious.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Jaco could be evacuated off the ice if it gets worse.
0:12:31 > 0:12:37With his face protected, the team take a pit stop.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42First things first, warm kit, essential.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48But for one-armed Jaco, it's all a struggle.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Do you need a hand?- Yeah.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Where's your food?- It's in there.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55In the harsh climate,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59the team will burn up to 8,000 calories each per day.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Keeping the body fuelled is essential.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07I've got some jelly beans in there, which will taste like old pebbles,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11cos they're so frozen and they pretty much take your teeth out.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Ahh!
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Once in their polar rhythm,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22they'll ski for two hours and break for ten minutes, all day long.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29But on day one, the routine is far from set.
0:13:29 > 0:13:35The progress is really slow. It's difficult to move around. The weight of the pulks,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38the terrain we're moving, it's quite difficult.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49Where the ice breaks up, it forms mini mountain ranges called pressure ridges.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Sometimes it's one metre high and sometimes it's six metres high.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01They're a messy mix of hard-as-concrete lumps of ice, all piled on top of each other.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Skis are coming off.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05We're crossing something big.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14For Guy, who lost his leg in a rocket-propelled grenade attack
0:14:14 > 0:14:18in Afghanistan, it's hard negotiating the rough stuff.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20It's difficult terrain.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25Getting the pulk over some of the big bits is hard work. We've just got to deal with it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31For Martin and Jaco, with missing or damaged arms, getting over the ice boulders is equally challenging.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Ah! Ha-ha!
0:14:34 > 0:14:40Steve needs to be extra careful with his fragile back.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Having Harry along is a great help.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Everybody's helping everybody. It's the only way.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53The team have no choice but to scramble over the pressure ridges,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56hauling their heavy pulks all the way.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Wow!
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Is that the good leg or the bad leg? - It's not the bad leg.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09You can easily get your foot trapped and the pulk can run over it and break your leg.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Pulling it over the rubble is difficult.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Because of the sheer weight, you've got to really drive into it
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and then you risk falling over, front first.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31If you're looking back through there, it's just mental.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36But then, this way, it looks flat.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Probably done about two and a bit miles, maybe?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44The team keep going,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47slowly heading north.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54It's opened my eyes to a whole new world.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00I presume after a few days it probably kicks in and you get into a rhythm,
0:16:00 > 0:16:06but at the moment, you can't get into a rhythm because of this stuff, but it's like this the whole way.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13Pitching camp at 7.30, the first day has been tough.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Especially for Martin.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19I had quite a few falls today, which was humorous at times,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23but after about the 6th or 7th time, it becomes less funny.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27They've covered 6.5 miles,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29but should have done ten.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32It's not a great start.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39But for Steve, whose back was broken in a bomb blast in Afghanistan,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41the end of the day is very welcome.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45I'm glad we stopped, because my back was sore towards the end
0:16:45 > 0:16:50but fingers crossed it'll be OK tomorrow, and yeah, should be all right.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Should be all right, hopefully.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02I don't think there's anybody here who couldn't admit that today caught them slightly off guard.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07But no, it was good, you know, day one of exercise.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12Takes time getting into things.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16And my legs now - ow!
0:17:16 > 0:17:19The most important thing is morale.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23And today, a few of the guys got a bit down,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27a bit, "This is quite full-on, we're going to have to do this for three weeks."
0:17:27 > 0:17:29But full respect to these guys,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and full respect to anybody who does this.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45A morning routine is getting established.
0:17:49 > 0:17:56But working with just one hand is slow, especially in a thick mitten.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Last to be packed away are the tents,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22the team's only shelter on the ice.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29I've got some sweet tunes playing in my ear.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31So...
0:18:33 > 0:18:37..excuse me if I start bopping.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38Ah!
0:18:40 > 0:18:44The team must improve on yesterday's performance if they hope to reach the Pole.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Day two. We did 10 kilometres yesterday.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Today we need to do at least 15.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Not very likely.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It's all about trying to get into the rhythm.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13I wish my brother was here, actually. I really wish he was here.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15He'd quite enjoy this.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18As in, just for a couple of days!
0:19:18 > 0:19:23It feels a little bit cheating, but Willie would love this.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29"Happy stag weekend! We're walking to the North Pole!"
0:19:32 > 0:19:37Some people find it very strange that people always want to go back to Afghanistan.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39I understand it now.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45The hardest thing for these guys is being told that they can't work any more.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49The hardest thing for Martin is the fact that he can't go into battle any more,
0:19:49 > 0:19:55be with his mates, do what he loves, you know?
0:19:57 > 0:20:03The team has started day two well, but up here, nothing's guaranteed.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16The ice rubble here is relatively challenging.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The precariously thin ice is giving way under Inge's skis.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24It's quite fresh.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Probably formed yesterday, and it still hasn't frozen up properly.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30They can't risk crossing it.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Would that be better?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34That's the wrong way!
0:20:34 > 0:20:40The team have no choice but to head into another maze of boulders and pressure ridges.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Crossing a mass of ice rubble, and it's quite hard work.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08It's all helping me, because it's impossible to clear on my own.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19This is the toughest test yet for the wounded soldiers.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Right on the ribs!
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Ah-ha-ha! Ah!
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Over the next two hours, they cover less than a mile.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Struggling to the end of the rubble field,
0:21:50 > 0:21:55only to face worse as they emerge onto more dangerously thin ice.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01This time, there's no option but to cross.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04The ice can just take the weight of one man
0:22:04 > 0:22:07and his 100-kilo pulk.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14But with each crossing, it's getting weaker.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Steve sets off.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35For Martin, once again, balancing with one arm is tricky.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42He nearly ends up in the freezing Arctic Sea.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Harry's the last man across.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11There's 2.5 miles of sea beneath him.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27The weakened ice just holds.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Steve and I nearly just went straight through the ice!
0:23:31 > 0:23:35We'd have seen a bit more of the ocean than we originally hoped for.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38The team push on.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48The point of this is to raise awareness. That's how I feel.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50For these guys. They've been through hell.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53And they've come out the other side.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56And they are doing it for all the other servicemen and women.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01They're still coming back. Injured.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05I guess the support's getting better.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But it still needs to be so much better.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27As they pitch camp, it's Harry's last night with the team.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Today has just been fantastic.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I couldn't have asked for better, as a final day.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Part of me wants to say that I really want to stay.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41But I've got military commitments back home. It's not ideal.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43A small wedding to help out with.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47On top of that, without sounding like an idiot,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I don't want to steal the limelight from these guys.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54I feel as though I've done my bit. I've been here, supported them,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57had a great laugh with them, but now it's up to them.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02It's Harry's final morning.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06The chopper's due to pick him up in the next hour. In the meantime,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Guy and Martin have discovered a problem.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Woke up this morning to a crack running through the middle of the tent. Not good.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16It brings it home that you're sitting on top of an ocean.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Slip down that, you're not coming back.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Strong ocean currents
0:25:20 > 0:25:24and powerful winds keep the ice in constant motion.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It's this movement that creates pressure ridges
0:25:27 > 0:25:33and also rips the ice apart, forming open-water leads.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36But it's not just the polar ice that's affected.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We got a text message on the satellite phone
0:25:39 > 0:25:42that the runway at Barneo had cracked.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You can't land a plane on a cracked runway.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Harry will have another day with the team.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I've got to march with these boys today, and get picked up tonight.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05'A few people have got blisters on their feet.'
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Wind's on our back. The only thing we didn't think of
0:26:10 > 0:26:13was turning up our jackets into kites, otherwise we'd be cruising.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It is enjoyable.
0:26:17 > 0:26:24You look around and it's like nothing that I've never seen before in my life. It's pristine, clean,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28but, you know, it is hard going.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31My back started aching about two hours ago,
0:26:31 > 0:26:32so I've taken some painkillers.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36You know, I wanted a challenge, and I've got one!
0:26:40 > 0:26:42The relentless cold is affecting everyone.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Just hold it lightly.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Yeah, the blood circulation's back on this one.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Put your hat on, it's cool. And your hood in the beginning,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01so you get really warm, and then you can take it off again.
0:27:01 > 0:27:07Er, frost nipping my ears. I think it was going that way.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I was happily chatting to Jaco,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12talking about his arm, or lack of,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16having a bit of a banter with him, and then Inge comes running, going,
0:27:16 > 0:27:17"Your ears, your ears!"
0:27:17 > 0:27:20They went white quite quickly, but they're back, fine now.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Have to do what I'm told, and put my hood up.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34Cool!
0:27:34 > 0:27:35We continue.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43They ski on to the end of the day.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01It's 7pm. The runway's fixed. The helicopter's on its way.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06For Harry, it's time to go back to his military duties.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10I'm going to sit down, my feet hurt. Without doubt, the best day.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Blue sky, walking into the sun the majority of the day.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Wind behind our backs. I mean, look at this place.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19It's beautiful. There's no place on earth like this.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I feel like I'm in a snow globe,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24waiting for someone to shake it, hoping nobody will.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I'd love to stay. I'm going to miss these guys a lot.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36After being part of the team for the past ten days,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39there are fond farewells.
0:28:39 > 0:28:45He's a cracking lad. He's brought a lot to the team. Just nice to have him for that time.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52- North Pole. Come on back, man, come on, Jaco. - Awesome. Awesome, yeah?
0:28:52 > 0:28:56He just gave us a last word of encouragement. He's a real nice bloke.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Behave yourself, and hopefully you might grow a bit!
0:29:11 > 0:29:13It's surreal. He's third in line to the throne.
0:29:13 > 0:29:18But, ah, he's just been, you know, one of us. Another mate.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Cheers, guys. - I'll miss him. He's a good lad.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Harry won't see the guys again until they get back to the UK.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52The team have covered just over 40 miles.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58But they still have 120 to go.
0:29:58 > 0:30:04The constant physical work and the cold are starting to take a toll.
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Especially on Jaco.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10I'm feeling a bit tired today. I had very bad sleep last night.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13So I'm struggling a bit today.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18I'm just putting a lot of fluids in, eating a lot of energy bars.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23When Jaco was blown up in 2009,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26he not only lost his left arm,
0:30:26 > 0:30:30he also lost a third of the muscle from his left leg.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Just gave Guy some weight. Just a food bag.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42There's no point trying to be a hero.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Keep carrying on when you're struggling.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50He had extensive internal injuries and was lucky to survive.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53It's taken 15 operations to rebuild him.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57It's no wonder he's suffering in the Arctic.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00There are days when we'll all be struggling.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Jaco had more weight than me, so I took a small bag off him.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07But he's just not quite as well as us at the moment.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12I need to do everything just with one hand.
0:31:12 > 0:31:17So Steve and Ed are absolute heroes in my eyes. They helped me a lot.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22I don't think I realised quite when we got out here
0:31:22 > 0:31:25how important that responsibility would become.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30I think Dags and I are feeling it, just more than the boys know.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40With support from his team-mates, Jaco's mood picks up
0:31:40 > 0:31:43and he's able to enjoy his surroundings.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50It doesn't matter how hard your day is, or how tired you is,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53the view's still breathtaking.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's unbelievable, actually, that we're here.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58It's quite amazing.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06The team have crossed countless pressure ridges,
0:32:06 > 0:32:10but now they're facing their first open-water lead,
0:32:10 > 0:32:15where the ice breaks apart, revealing the freezing sea beneath.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17It's cutting right across their route to the Pole.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21So, the most important thing now is,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24don't put your ski pole into the slush...
0:32:34 > 0:32:40Basically, the ice, probably over two hours, has split apart.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Take your time. Careful!
0:32:45 > 0:32:50- The danger is that, obviously, if you go in...- Take that rope away, so that you don't trip in it.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53..uh, then you're in deep trouble.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58It doesn't look very dangerous, but because it's so narrow,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00we don't want to get stuck in there.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Because it'll be difficult to get you out again.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05So, ski pole,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08follow, put that ski over.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14If your pole goes in, it's going to pull you back in
0:33:14 > 0:33:17and you're out of your harness and you go to the bottom of the sea.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35This is only a small lead. The team makes it across.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Later that night, the daily update call
0:33:39 > 0:33:43reminds Guy of when he got injured.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Hello once again from the officers' mess.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49These are the same phones we had in Afghan,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51so it's actually quite um, evocative, using these,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54because the last time I used one of these
0:33:54 > 0:33:57was about seven hours before I got blown up.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I called home, and they said, "How's it going?"
0:34:00 > 0:34:03"Yeah, really, really good, everything's good, going well."
0:34:03 > 0:34:06The next time I called, Mum answered the phone,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09"Oh, hi, Guy, how are you?" It was Sunday morning.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12"Yeah, good, but... " And she goes, "Yeah?"
0:34:12 > 0:34:14"I had my right leg blown off." She goes, "Ri-ight!"
0:34:14 > 0:34:17I said, "Don't worry, everything's as good as gold."
0:34:17 > 0:34:22Um, so, yeah, quite evocative, using these.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29The next morning, Jaco's better
0:34:29 > 0:34:34and keen to protect the only part of his body not already scarred.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39I put some plaster on my nose and on my cheeks,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42just to prevent any form of frost nip.
0:34:43 > 0:34:49I probably look like a right idiot, but with so much scars all over my body,
0:34:49 > 0:34:53the face is probably the only place I haven't got a scar,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57so there needs to be one there, as well! Trying to protect it.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Jaco's face may be covered up,
0:35:00 > 0:35:05but the unrelenting grind is getting to Steve's delicate back.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08One of those days where you think you're doing well,
0:35:08 > 0:35:12but it just comes back and lets you know it was there.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Really, really hurting the last hour.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Steve's back was broken when his vehicle was blown up in Afghanistan.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29The explosion smashed his vertebrae
0:35:29 > 0:35:31and caused extensive soft tissue damage.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38I tried to get through with no painkillers, but I couldn't do it,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42so I'll just smash some painkillers into me now, have a stretch off,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46and just go for the rest of the day as best I can, really.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49He was told he would never walk again
0:35:49 > 0:35:53and was strapped to a spinal bed for 16 weeks.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58But now, after many months of physio,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Steve's skiing to the North Pole.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Get me through the next couple of hours.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Everyone's hurting in their own different way so you can't complain.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Just get through the day as best you can.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24They put their heads down and soldier on.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32The team have crossed many pressure ridges.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40But now they've come across the Arctic's raw power in action.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Now the ice is moving here.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45This is how the pressure ridges are being made.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48ICE CRACKING AND GRINDING
0:36:52 > 0:36:53It's a rare sight.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58What you've got here is
0:36:58 > 0:37:02two huge masses of ice pushing in towards one another,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06almost like tectonic plates pushing together or pulling apart.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Pressure from one side is forcing the ice field above this ice field.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14Under my feet I can feel vibrations, serious vibrations now,
0:37:14 > 0:37:19and tremors of the force of one pack of ice hitting the other,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21which, I have to say, is very, very cool.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38It's been a good day, and there's less than 100 miles to go.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- COUGHING - Dear, oh dear. It's the end of day...
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Holy cow, end of day...
0:37:47 > 0:37:48Six?
0:37:48 > 0:37:51No, five, end of day five. We've had a good day,
0:37:51 > 0:37:56a really good day, actually, and we smashed in about 13½ miles,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59which gives us a bit more in the bank.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03It's a morale boost, covering the miles.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08And Steve's spirits are lifted further by a message from home.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11From my big sister - "Good luck for this challenge,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15"Steve, my baby brother, my hero, so very proud of you all,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18"love you loads, my strong, brave, determined brother,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20"big hugs, your big sister, xxx."
0:38:20 > 0:38:23It's a little message, but it means a lot
0:38:23 > 0:38:25to get a little reminder
0:38:25 > 0:38:27that they're thinking about you, it's nice.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Day six,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35and the guys are on top of their game, breaking camp in minutes.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38We're starting to get to the point now where,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42during the day, if you haven't got something to distract your mind,
0:38:42 > 0:38:48it can get quite boring. Today I've got audio books on my iPod.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54I'm listening to A Thousand Splendid Suns, I think, today.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00The team are getting into the Arctic rhythm.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It's a frustratingly slow pace today.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16This is what's known in the community as the polar plod.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20The exhausting work is getting to Guy.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22My leg's starting to rub quite a lot
0:39:22 > 0:39:25and, by the end of the day, it's really sore.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28I took off the socket last night and it was really bloody,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30which I've kept quiet, to be honest,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33because I am conscious that we need to push on.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37He lost his lower leg when an RPG
0:39:37 > 0:39:40hit the armoured vehicle he was commanding.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43It ripped through his leg and, tragically,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45killed the young soldier next to him.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48I always know I've got about an hour left in it each day
0:39:48 > 0:39:50when it starts to get sore.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55I can put up with that, knowing it's another hour off another day.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58He was airlifted to Camp Bastion.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01What remained of his leg was amputated.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03He had four operations on his stump,
0:40:03 > 0:40:07and now uses a prosthetic limb to keep mobile.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10I always knew, further into the trip,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14if I went more, my leg would start to rub.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I've just got to grin and bear it, it's not going to go away.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23To be honest, as long as I have a breath in my body,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25I'm going to the North Pole.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Expedition founder Simon Daglish is worried.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36I was just talking to Ed. Just a mild concern about Guy's leg.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37It looks a little bit sore,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and we just need to make sure that drive and determination
0:40:40 > 0:40:44doesn't take over from actually leaving permanent damage.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Later on, Guy's examining his stump after another long day.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56We've got a cream that we put on at night,
0:40:56 > 0:40:58it's just good for aches and pains.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01I'm just having a few rubs around the joint there.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Any prominent part on the leg, it catches the prosthesis,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08and it's not really that bad, it's like any blister,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11but you've just got to manage it and look after it.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15To me, the worst-case scenario is the stump itself gets infected
0:41:15 > 0:41:17and I have to chop more off,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19which would be disastrous, as bad as it gets.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Another day dawns over the Arctic.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30In just six days, they're nearly halfway.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33But there's still a long way to go.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39For the wounded soldiers,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42this trip is about more than getting to the Pole -
0:41:42 > 0:41:45it's also about their futures.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Guy and Steve are staying in the Army,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52but Jaco and Martin are being medically discharged.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Spent a fair bit of time today thinking about what I'm going to do
0:41:56 > 0:41:59in a couple of months' time when I leave the Army.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04This is a good place to collect your thoughts and think about the future.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Martin's Army career ended
0:42:08 > 0:42:12when he was shot through the right shoulder in Afghanistan in 2007.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15The bullet severed the main artery in his arm.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18He nearly bled to death on the desert floor.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23The thought of doing anything else is...
0:42:23 > 0:42:25It just doesn't cross your mind,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29until you take a hit, which means you can't do your job any more.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32I just prepare myself to go on
0:42:32 > 0:42:36and do whatever I'm going to do next, which is still unknown.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42In four years, he's had 13 operations
0:42:42 > 0:42:44to try and repair his arm.
0:42:45 > 0:42:50There's an intensified nerve pain because of the cold,
0:42:50 > 0:42:55and it's inflamed because I've banged it a fair few times.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58I'm not sure if I've bruised the bone
0:42:58 > 0:43:01or it's just the cold that's doing it.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02One nasty fall is all it takes.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06I've had a lot of falls, but luckily, so far,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09none of them have caused any major injuries.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12The soldiers are coping well
0:43:12 > 0:43:16but every day, the Arctic throws up more challenges.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20Slightly frustrating, we've just come across a huge water lead,
0:43:20 > 0:43:22by far the biggest we've found so far,
0:43:22 > 0:43:26so we're trying to find a way around it,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29whether we will or not, it's pretty big.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31These leads can extend for miles.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34The team head east, away from the Pole,
0:43:34 > 0:43:37losing valuable time.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Eventually, they find a crossing point.
0:43:46 > 0:43:51Inge's plan is to use the pulks as floating pontoons
0:43:51 > 0:43:53to bridge the gap over the freezing sea.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57The water is between minus 1.5 and 2 degrees.
0:43:57 > 0:44:03It's the salination and the movement that keeps it relatively open.
0:44:03 > 0:44:07- What would happen if someone fell into that?- It would be very cold.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09- JACO:- Just a little bit hairy,
0:44:09 > 0:44:13especially for me and Martin, we have to balance with one hand.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15If we fall to our weak side,
0:44:15 > 0:44:18that's us in the water, so I might just get wet, you know.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22It takes a bit of time,
0:44:22 > 0:44:25but it breaks the day up and it's something different.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Gets the heart racing, as well.
0:44:27 > 0:44:29Wait there, wait there, wait there.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Yeah, it's a little bit hairy, but, um,
0:44:42 > 0:44:45but it's a bit of variety.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Our only fear is that we don't meet too many of them,
0:44:48 > 0:44:50because it's very time-consuming.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53There's no way any of us want to fall in.
0:44:53 > 0:44:54All the pulks we pulled across,
0:44:54 > 0:44:58all the water on them is frozen instantly.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02The guys are safely over.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08Later on, Martin's examining his arm.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12Bad news?
0:45:12 > 0:45:15Yeah, I mean, I don't think it's swollen just because of the cold.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18It's either just inflammation because of the knock,
0:45:18 > 0:45:20or I've broken a bone.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23But the nerve pain is a little bit more intensified,
0:45:23 > 0:45:28which means I've damaged it in one way or another.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31Do you think you've broken something or not?
0:45:31 > 0:45:36I might have done, mate, yeah. Just be a hairline fracture, if I have.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I tell you now, one of the big things
0:45:39 > 0:45:43that the guys in Headley Court were concerned about
0:45:43 > 0:45:46was how girls would perceive them with their injuries now,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50especially guys that have had parts of their genitals blown off
0:45:50 > 0:45:53or completely gone, of which I've got a number of colleagues,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56personally, who are in that position.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59And that is an extremely difficult thing to deal with.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04Despite all the team have been through in this bleak landscape,
0:46:04 > 0:46:07they're in high spirits.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18Captain Hewitt here, diary day nine.
0:46:18 > 0:46:19Is it day nine today?
0:46:19 > 0:46:24All good. Martin did a stint in front, which was pretty frenetic.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26All after today...
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Dags is well, not as grumpy as usual today, which is nice,
0:46:31 > 0:46:33I think that's because the sun's out.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35This is exactly what we've got to work with.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38- Got to put up with this, day in, day out!- Hello, Miss Lady!
0:46:38 > 0:46:40Sergeant Young's in good humour.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43He remembered to salute me this morning, he doesn't always.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46All the days have merged into one, apparently.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Oh, is it a pick-and-mix?
0:46:48 > 0:46:49Look.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51Look at the beauties down there.
0:46:51 > 0:46:52Mmm-mmm!
0:46:52 > 0:46:55I'm really starting to think about sex,
0:46:55 > 0:46:57I've just got sex on my mind the whole time.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59All I do is walk and think about sex.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01Everything seems to be going their way.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03All in all, a good day.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20But the Arctic can catch you unawares.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30MAN CRIES OUT
0:47:43 > 0:47:46One of the expedition founders, Ed, has taken a fall.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Put up the tent there.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Inge's in charge.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53We need a tent.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57Until he knows how bad Ed is, he assumes the worst.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00- Get one of theirs.- OK.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03I think his ribs. I think so, I'm not sure.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06Have you got some foam mats?
0:48:09 > 0:48:11You OK?
0:48:11 > 0:48:13Can you describe what happened?
0:48:13 > 0:48:16I hit my back on the...
0:48:18 > 0:48:22When I heard him fall, I genuinely thought he'd broken his back.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25I heard the most almighty crack and was thinking,
0:48:25 > 0:48:29"Christ, he's going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life,"
0:48:29 > 0:48:33and I thought, "That's it, game over."
0:48:33 > 0:48:35How is...how is the pain?
0:48:39 > 0:48:41Do you think it's your spine?
0:48:41 > 0:48:45- Yes, the spine, although I can feel my legs.- What?
0:48:55 > 0:48:59It makes you realise how quickly a trip like this can go wrong.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Thought I'd lost you there for two seconds
0:49:02 > 0:49:05because you fainted and hit your head down there.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08It would have been a cruel, cruel blow if one of the guys
0:49:08 > 0:49:12who's put so much work into this project ended up unable to make it.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14You all right, Parks?
0:49:14 > 0:49:18- What happened?- I slipped and hit my back right on the edge.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21I had my pulk at the top of that little piece of snow
0:49:21 > 0:49:23and there's a slab of ice.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26The skis just went from under me and I fell backwards,
0:49:26 > 0:49:29and my back fell right on the edge of the ice.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33I had this shooting pain across my back
0:49:33 > 0:49:36and my first thought was... it's not very good.
0:49:36 > 0:49:40Luckily, this time, it looks like he went OK, but you never know.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44It just seems wrong, Inge now having to pull my sledge.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48We're not meant to be here, really, is the long and short of it.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52Humans don't live here for very good reasons,
0:49:52 > 0:49:55because it's uninhabitable, so we're here as guests.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Should we somehow become detached from that pulk,
0:49:57 > 0:50:01which is our lives, we wouldn't survive.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08I was thinking that it's a little like what Steve encounters,
0:50:08 > 0:50:11then I realised I hadn't broken my back,
0:50:11 > 0:50:15it was just a tiny modicum of what he feels,
0:50:15 > 0:50:18which is really why I shut up fairly quickly
0:50:18 > 0:50:22and got back on to my pulk, but Steve has that every day.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30With Ed's fall fresh in their minds,
0:50:30 > 0:50:32the reality of the Arctic hits home.
0:50:34 > 0:50:39I didn't really go into this with the attitude that failure was an option.
0:50:40 > 0:50:45Any of us on our own would have really struggled with this,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48but together, we work well as a unit.
0:50:48 > 0:50:51They put their heads down and motor
0:50:51 > 0:50:53to get off the ice as quickly as possible.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58I feel about 90 years old today. Proper feeling it today.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02I think it was my body's way of rebelling, basically,
0:51:02 > 0:51:07and asking me to go back home to a nice warm room, but, er, sod it.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Put it down my neck.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12Let it heat up properly.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15The team have less than 40 miles to go,
0:51:15 > 0:51:18but that's still a gruelling three days' trek.
0:51:18 > 0:51:24I just want to stand hours and hours in a hot shower.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28But...we've got to keep going, got to keep going.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42It's 8:30am.
0:51:42 > 0:51:48The team's 12th day on the ice, and it could be their last.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51They're only 10 miles from the North Pole.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Very much an end-of-term feeling.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56I had a smile on my face when I woke up.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59I looked outside, absolutely beautiful day,
0:51:59 > 0:52:02a glorious day today, and we're just raring to go now.
0:52:02 > 0:52:04We're just doing the last final packing.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07It's been a long time coming,
0:52:07 > 0:52:12so eight hours from now we'll be on the Pole.
0:52:20 > 0:52:25Yeah, I suppose when we first were interviewed
0:52:25 > 0:52:28and started looking into doing this,
0:52:28 > 0:52:31I don't think I ever thought we'd get this far so easily.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34I just count myself lucky to be a part of it.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42It's been a wonderful experience, absolutely great.
0:52:47 > 0:52:51For myself, it's been a 20-month period of my life,
0:52:51 > 0:52:53at times quite a dark period,
0:52:53 > 0:52:57and it's a good way of putting it all behind me.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03For me it's been about demonstrating that,
0:53:03 > 0:53:07if you're willing to adapt and you're able to adapt post-injury,
0:53:07 > 0:53:11you can go on and do some great stuff.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18From here, 299 metres.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23If anyone were ever to say to me, "Was it easy?"
0:53:23 > 0:53:28The answer is, definitely no, it wasn't.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33I think what these four soldiers have achieved is amazing.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36Their determination,
0:53:36 > 0:53:41sometimes their bloody determination, in getting here is incredible.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45And, frankly, something I think will remain with us
0:53:45 > 0:53:46for the rest of our lives.
0:53:52 > 0:53:5423 metres!
0:54:03 > 0:54:05We're here.
0:54:06 > 0:54:07Congratulations, guys.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10CHEERING
0:54:12 > 0:54:14- Job done, Parks.- Job done!
0:54:14 > 0:54:18- Mate, well done. - Well done.- Good effort, mate.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21Good man. Well done, yeah?
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Can't say, really.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41Two years, and we've made it.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44Amazing. Well, WE haven't made it.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47These guys have made it. That's amazing, amazing.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50- Thank you. - Thank you. It was a great trip.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52- Gob.- Steve Boy!
0:54:52 > 0:54:54Pleasure as always, mate!
0:54:54 > 0:54:58Lovely. Give me one of those - pow! Boys!
0:55:00 > 0:55:04Incredible - what an amazing bunch of guys.
0:55:04 > 0:55:05What an amazing achievement.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Incredible. Can't say any more.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12CHEERING
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Faster!
0:55:16 > 0:55:17Go, go, go!
0:55:19 > 0:55:21Fantastic moment.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24We've done it well, we've done it fast,
0:55:24 > 0:55:28and their injuries are exactly how they were when we left,
0:55:28 > 0:55:31so it's a huge, huge success,
0:55:31 > 0:55:34and I'm just as pleased as punch.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38Awesome. Can't believe we're here, can't believe we're here.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41I claim this bit of sea for Wales!
0:55:43 > 0:55:45It's been a hard old slog,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48and I'm just glad we're all here as a team, awesome.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55I always thought we'd make it, but just wasn't sure of the time
0:55:55 > 0:56:00or what state we'd be in when we got here.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03It's a good place to be right now, it really is.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06It's been hard, emotional, fun, absolutely everything in it.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10I'm actually quite a bit shaky, so it's time for celebrations.
0:56:10 > 0:56:11Time to be happy.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15We've done it.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Someone said to me directly, "You won't do it."
0:56:17 > 0:56:22And to those, I'd simply say that I'm disabled, I'm standing on the geographic North Pole,
0:56:22 > 0:56:27I've walked hundreds of kilometres unsupported to get here with this team.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31Very special moment, mate.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35I'm going to miss this.
0:56:35 > 0:56:39And now I think I'm going to go somewhere hot. With a beach.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49What they've done is absolutely fantastic.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52They should have probably tried to make it look a bit harder, I think,
0:56:52 > 0:56:56because to do this trip in 13 days or something, 4 days early,
0:56:56 > 0:56:59it's incredible, really, really is incredible.
0:57:00 > 0:57:01Five days later,
0:57:01 > 0:57:06and the Walking With The Wounded team are finally home in the UK.
0:57:14 > 0:57:19They've all been to the edge of life and have returned,
0:57:19 > 0:57:22rebuilt and rehabilitated.
0:57:22 > 0:57:23Hugely proud of them.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27I was gutted to have missed them and not to be able to stay with them,
0:57:27 > 0:57:29though I was exhausted at times.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31I feel as though I missed out on a trip.
0:57:31 > 0:57:37They have gone from the heat of Afghanistan to the freezing Arctic.
0:57:37 > 0:57:42Everyone keeps throwing that word "inspirational" around,
0:57:42 > 0:57:44but I think at the end of the day, what they've done
0:57:44 > 0:57:48is truly, truly inspirational, and now, hopefully,
0:57:48 > 0:57:51it'll show other people what you can do,
0:57:51 > 0:57:54despite, you know, missing an arm or a leg.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57They've not only conquered the North Pole,
0:57:57 > 0:58:00they've conquered their life-threatening injuries.
0:58:00 > 0:58:04They've proved to themselves and to everyone else that,
0:58:04 > 0:58:06no matter what life throws at you,
0:58:06 > 0:58:12hope, ambition and determination can help to overcome.
0:58:12 > 0:58:17Everyone should be very proud of them, and they should be proud of themselves.
0:58:50 > 0:58:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:52 > 0:58:55E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk